Will Young: ‘Someone would pitch a music video with me and a girl even though I’m openly gay’

The Independent’s arts and culture newsletter ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD02dXNvZnRsbmIxcXFXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Saturday, August 3, 2024     ~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50P2xpZD0xMmVsbDZmdjE5aW1XBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50P2xpZD1vODNjZHZtOGx2endXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~   The [Booker longlist](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0R-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL25ld3MvYm9va2VyLXByaXplLWxvbmctbGlzdC0yMDI0LWF1dGhvcnMtYjI1ODgxMzMuaHRtbD9saWQ9YW0wampvM216aDNtVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) is out… how many have you read? This week the 13 novels up for one of the biggest prizes in publishing were announced – and they make for a pretty tasty list. There’s one book I was thrilled to see recognised: [Headshot](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2Jvb2tlci1wcml6ZS1sb25nbGlzdC1yaXRhLWJ1bGx3aW5rZWwtaGVhZHNob3QtYjI1ODg4NjguaHRtbD9saWQ9MXg1Mmd4M25td21hVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), the audacious, highly original debut novel from American writer Rita Bullwinkel. I’ve written this week about [why you should add it to your summer reading pile](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2Jvb2tlci1wcml6ZS1sb25nbGlzdC1yaXRhLWJ1bGx3aW5rZWwtaGVhZHNob3QtYjI1ODg4NjguaHRtbD9saWQ9NHNodDExbGdoMWl1VwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). (I also wrote about [There’s Nothing Wrong With Her by Kate Weinberg](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2thdGUtd2VpbmJlcmctdGhlcmUtcy1ub3RoaW5nLXdyb25nLXdpdGgtaGVyLWxvbmctY292aWQtYjI1ODY0MDUuaHRtbD9saWQ9OGFiOG9peGRqYnEyVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) – another novel you won’t want to miss, and one which resonated with me in a [particularly personal way](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2thdGUtd2VpbmJlcmctdGhlcmUtcy1ub3RoaW5nLXdyb25nLXdpdGgtaGVyLWxvbmctY292aWQtYjI1ODY0MDUuaHRtbD9saWQ9cmxrYzh4bmd3b3BiVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj).) There was also sad news in the literary world this week, with the announcement that [Edna O’Brien has died at the age of 93](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL25ld3MvZWRuYS1vLWJyaWVuLWRlYWQtaXJpc2gtbm92ZWxpc3QtYXV0aG9yLWFnZS1jYXVzZS1iMjU4NzQzOC5odG1sP2xpZD1ucGFjZnRndGN0N2dXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). The Irish novelist was such a force, so bold, beguiling and utterly original, that it’s impossible to imagine there ever being anyone like her again. From her debut novel The Country Girls, published in 1960, and onwards, O’Brien continued courageously writing the truth of women’s lives and sexuality, even after her first book was banned in her native Ireland. That sense of urgency and fearlessness never went away: in her final novel, 2019’s Girl, she was telling the story of the young girls of Boko Haram. [Lynn Enright paid tribute to her](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2VkbmEtb2JyaWVuLWF1dGhvci10cmlidXRlLWNvdW50cnktZ2lybHMtaXJlbGFuZC1iMjU4ODIzMS5odG1sP2xpZD12MGFmbnBlbzY4dTFXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), and shared memories of her encounter with one of her heroes. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0R8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3R2L2ZlYXR1cmVzL2xpc2Eta3Vkcm93LXRpbWUtYmFuZGl0cy1mcmllbmRzLWIyNTg0NTA0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTZ0anY5OHY1dGppMFcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ Edna O’Brien understood longing better than most writers: the longing for experience; for escape; for sex and love that was ‘forbidden’ (Getty) Elsewhere this week: Deadpool and Wolverine may be smashing box office records – but, writes Louis, it is not just a bad movie; [it’s changing the definition of what a “movie” is](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2ZpbG1zL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2RlYWRwb29sLWFuZC13b2x2ZXJpbmUtbWFydmVsLXJ5YW4tcmV5bm9sZHMtYjI1ODc3MzQuaHRtbD9saWQ9Z2ozamsyNnY4bjVhVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). Nell Mescal, talking to Roisin, wants everyone to [stop spreading weird rumours about her brother](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0R-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL25lbGwtbWVzY2FsLWludGVydmlldy10b3VyLXBhdWwtYjI1ODUyNDEuaHRtbD9saWQ9cXNpZXVrZTYwbDJrVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj). Geoffrey Macnab [looked back on Master and Commander](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2ZpbG1zL2ZlYXR1cmVzL21hc3Rlci1hbmQtY29tbWFuZGVyLXJ1c3NlbGwtY3Jvd2UtYjI1ODk0OTEuaHRtbD9saWQ9bjA3MjFhenQxZGpyVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), Russell Crowe’s 2003 maritime action movie, ahead of it being reshown at the Venice Film Festival, where Australian director Peter Weir is being honoured. Annabel [spoke to actor Joan Chen about her exit from Twin Peaks](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2ZpbG1zL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2pvYW4tY2hlbi10d2luLXBlYWtzLWRpZGktYjI1ODg2ODkuaHRtbD9saWQ9cTA5djU3bG02b2l3VwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), and Craig McLean [interviewed Steven van Zandt](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL3N0ZXZlbi12YW4temFuZHQtaW50ZXJ2aWV3LWJydWNlLXNwcmluZ3N0ZWVuLWRvY3VtZW50YXJ5LWIyNTg3NzE1Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXNxdnc4Z2d5Y2pkM1cFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) about Springsteen and The Sopranos. Have a great weekend, Jessie [@jessiecath](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0QyaHR0cDovL3d3dy50d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9qZXNzaWVjYXRoP2xpZD04aTZ1ZXFxdjVlNTNXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   Support The Independent Join The Independent's mission for truth. With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. Your contribution ensures our independence and fuels honest, transparent journalism. Whether $5 or $50, every donation matters. Support us today to keep truth free. [SUPPORT US](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZG9uYXRlP2xpZD12aW1scDdocXo3ZmFXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Payment methods](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZG9uYXRlP2xpZD1lZ2V3dmJ5cHUxczhXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) What to do this weekend Theatre | [The Years](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3RoZWF0cmUtZGFuY2U_bGlkPWcyc2JtYmYzNmt6ZVcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) There’s a scene in The Years, Eline Arbo’s adaptation of [Annie Ernaux](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvbmV3cy9hcC1uZXcteW9yay1mcmVuY2gtYW1hem9uLWNvbS1hbWVyaWNhbi1iMjE5OTkzMi5odG1sP2xpZD12bnFieXR4dWJiZ3ZXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)’s masterpiece memoir, when a version of the author (played by [Romola Garai](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3RoZWF0cmUtZGFuY2UvZmVhdHVyZXMvcm9tb2xhLWdhcmFpLWludGVydmlldy10aGUteWVhcnMtdmlnaWwtc2Nvb3Atb25lLWRheS1iMjU4NTY4Mi5odG1sP2xpZD03eGV2bXozM2dyeG5XBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)) is describing the book she one day dreams of writing. In this production, originally adapted and directed by Arbo for the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, she is cleaved into five separate past Annies, played through the generations by Harmony Rose-Bremner, Anjli Mohindra, Romola Garai, Gina McKee, Deborah Findlay respectively. Between them, a tapestry of history is weaved, constructing the full, extraordinary image of a life that is, in many ways, totally ordinary. The play captures these contradictions, finding laughter in tragedy and devastating detail in mundanity. [It moved me in ways theatre often tries to but rarely achieves.](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0STaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3RoZWF0cmUtZGFuY2UvcmV2aWV3cy90aGUteWVhcnMtcmV2aWV3LWFsbWVpZGEtdGhlYXRyZS1hbm5pZS1lcm5hdXgtYjI1ODk1NzUuaHRtbD9saWQ9ZWEzb3MzNHhha2tpVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Isobel Lewis | Theatre critic   Theatre | [The Grapes of Wrath](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3RoZWF0cmUtZGFuY2U_bGlkPWQ2d2x6YnBpY2tubVcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [John Steinbeck](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0StaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2pvaG4tc3RlaW5iZWNrLWF1dGhvci1hbm5pdmVyc2FyeS1kZWF0aC1vZi1taWNlLWFuZC1tZW4tZ3JhcGVzLXdyYXRoLWVhc3QtZWRlbi1hODY5MDg1MS5odG1sP2xpZD0yYTl6bmg4cmFhbDdXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)’s classic [The Grapes of Wrath](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2Jvb2tzL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2luZHktYm9vay1jbHViLWdyYXBlcy1vZi13cmF0aC1qb2huLXN0ZWluYmVjay1xdWFyYW50aW5lLWE5NDc2MDQxLmh0bWw_bGlkPWRiNGszcWJyMXMyc1cFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) might be a bona fide Great American Novel but there’s something deeply un-American about its values. Dreaming isn’t enough, it argues. The system is rigged. God doesn’t care. Collective struggle is the answer. These subversive messages shine through [Carrie Cracknell’s epic but scrappy three-hour adaptation](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SRaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3RoZWF0cmUtZGFuY2UvcmV2aWV3cy90aGUtZ3JhcGVzLW9mLXdyYXRoLXJldmlldy1uYXRpb25hbC10aGVhdHJlLWIyNTg5NDI2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTl2b2djMWE5ODV2c1cFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), which trails behind a sprawling clan of dustbowl refugees in the Depression era. Alice Saville | Chief theatre critic   Film | [Dìdi](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RHaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2ZpbG1zP2xpZD13Ym41OG1lNTh0MzZXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Dìdi was made for people who shiver with panic at the sound of AOL Instant Messenger’s creaking door alert. [Each time it played in Sean Wang’s 2008-set coming-of-ager](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L2ZpbG1zL3Jldmlld3MvZGlkaS1maWxtLXJldmlldy1iMjU4ODcxMS5odG1sP2xpZD0wd2hqa241NGpjeXZXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), it felt like a claw hook had launched out of the screen and dragged me back in front of my father’s PC, seconds after realising my crush had just logged on and [the indie band lyric](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2xhbmRmaWxsLWluZGllLWthaXNlci1jaGllZnMtYWxidW0tcmF6b3JsaWdodC10aGUta29va3Mtcmlja3ktd2lsc29uLWE5MDIyMDUxLmh0bWw_bGlkPWNsMzM4aXlvbzVyY1cFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) I’d picked for my away message really wasn’t as seductive and mysterious as I’d hoped it to be. Clarisse Loughrey | Chief film critic   Theatre | [Louise Orwin – FAMEHUNGRY](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3RoZWF0cmUtZGFuY2U_bGlkPTZvMGJhdnl4ZDB6MFcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) For her new show, playing all month at Edinburgh’s Summerhall before a number of dates around the UK, inimitable performance artist Louise Orwin attempts to become a TikTok star; to say too much about the mechanics of this funny, inventive, and stunningly incisive piece of work would be to spoil the fun. Orwin takes on social media and the dynamics of public performance with a lightness of touch that seems almost perverse – until its meaty, knotty innards leave you reeling. Louis Chilton | Senior culture writer   [The Saturday Interview – Will Young](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL3dpbGwteW91bmctaW50ZXJ2aWV3LWJyb3RoZXItdHdpbi1iMjU4OTcwNi5odG1sP2xpZD02eTMwZjNoMW5nYm5XBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL3dpbGwteW91bmctaW50ZXJ2aWV3LWJyb3RoZXItdHdpbi1iMjU4OTcwNi5odG1sP2xpZD1pa3FsdG1pdG44Z2xXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Will Young: ‘It’s nice to talk about looking old and not feeling attractive’ (Jamie Noise) The Pop Idol survivor and frequent chart-topper is back with his ninth album. [He sits down with Alim Kheraj](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL3dpbGwteW91bmctaW50ZXJ2aWV3LWJyb3RoZXItdHdpbi1iMjU4OTcwNi5odG1sP2xpZD1qOHUwczFkdWl2YnBXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) to discuss feeling like "an island" as a gay man in pop in the Noughties, his harrowing experience of abuse at boarding school, and the realities of dating on the apps as he gets older. ~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL3dpbGwteW91bmctaW50ZXJ2aWV3LWJyb3RoZXItdHdpbi1iMjU4OTcwNi5odG1sP2xpZD1nZjhjNWt4ajUycmRXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ Will Young duetting with Kelly Clarkson on ‘American Idol’, 2002 (Getty) Read an extract from our Saturday Interview below… Young’s charm, along with his talent, is what helped him win over the millions of people who voted for him during Pop Idol. Following his win, however, a tabloid newspaper threatened to out him as gay, forcing him to come out publicly only weeks later. In 2024, we’re lucky to have a number of prominent and explicitly gay artists, including Olly Alexander, Troye Sivan and MNEK, but in 2002 Young was the outlier. “I was a little bit of an island,” he says. “But I was probably the right person for that time. I’m not cutting-edge. You could take me home to your mum.” [Read the full interview here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXJ0cy1lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL2ZlYXR1cmVzL3dpbGwteW91bmctaW50ZXJ2aWV3LWJyb3RoZXItdHdpbi1iMjU4OTcwNi5odG1sP2xpZD15a3Q0dmxqMzN5b2tXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9bTdqamlnZm11anNjVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPWh0dzJoMmQ4eHpvN1cFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~   [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD1pYzNjNXI0c2tnNnJXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) / [BEST BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD1vOTkyemN4dng2NGNXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Reese ](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jvb2tzL2ZpY3Rpb24tYm9va3MvcmVlc2Utd2l0aGVyc3Bvb24tYm9vay1jbHViLWF1Z3VzdC0yMDI0LWIyNTg4NjgxLmh0bWw_bGlkPXB6ajN4ZGwwc2U1ZVcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Fans of One Day will love Reese Witherspoon’s [August book club pick](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2Jvb2tzL2ZpY3Rpb24tYm9va3MvcmVlc2Utd2l0aGVyc3Bvb24tYm9vay1jbHViLWF1Z3VzdC0yMDI0LWIyNTg4NjgxLmh0bWw_bGlkPWphazcxbnJ0cDNmMVcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~).   Take a look at our subscriber-exclusive newsletters As a subscriber, you'll also enjoy unlimited access to Premium analysis and opinion along with ad-free reading, the daily edition newspaper, and more exclusive newsletters. [The Weekly] The Weekly | Saturdays Written by Victoria Harper, Assistant Premium Editor A weekly round up of the best features, columns and reviews. [Subscribe: £1 for 6 months](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD12NHEyNGk4Y3E1dWlXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [The Weekend Edit] The Weekend Edit | Sundays Written by Victoria Harper, Assistant Premium Editor Highlights of the week, carefully curated by our Premium team. [Subscribe: £1 for 6 months](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1mazFlbmd2ZzlpZmtXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) The Weekly | Saturdays A weekly round up of the best features, columns and reviews [Subscribe: £1 for 6 months](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1rdzZnbHRiaXE5cGJXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) The Weekend Edit | Sundays Highlights of the week, carefully curated by our Premium team [Subscribe: £1 for 6 months](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlP2xpZD1kN2t4cGNucWNxazBXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~)   The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP4SfAWh0dHBzOi8vZXVyMDIuc2FmZWxpbmtzLnByb3RlY3Rpb24ub3V0bG9vay5jb20vP3VybD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnJlZnVnZS5vcmcudWslMkYmZGF0YT0wNSU3QzAxJTdDTmlhbWguTWVlaGFuQGluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrJTdDMjdlNTZjZGQ3YjAwNDhhYjRhOTcwOGRiNGJlOTYyNDglN0MwZjNhNGM2NDRkYzU0YTc2OGQ0MTUyZDg1Y2ExNThhNSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM4MTg3MjM3OTY1MzA5MTY4JTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzMwMDAlN0MlN0MlN0Mmc2RhdGE9cXRuNENramFFOWF0Y0lvcjFjbnZiSDZKcGhGZjN2eWl2VjFkTGV1R0RTQSUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wJmxpZD1kd2NmbzN6ZzExNmJXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) and the [National Domestic Abuse Helpline](~/AAAHagA~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): 0808 2000 247   [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD0zdWJpZGRobXNsbmxXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0QvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD0yd2QzY3A5ZHh3aTFXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) Join the conversation or follow us [Twitter](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0QwaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9JbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9a2M2cHlyNjM1dnQ2VwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Instagram](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q2aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tL3RoZS5pbmRlcGVuZGVudD9saWQ9a2c1cGM1cTJyc2xvVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Facebook](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL1RoZUluZGVwZW5kZW50T25saW5lLz9saWQ9MDlrc3B4eDFwYTNqVwVzcGNldUIKZq1d161mGWYiPVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Download the free Independent app [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPWxxMTZkajJjb25ja1cFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Apple App Store](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPXYxaG5ycDg4Zmw4alcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPTYzZ3N4eHllYndrZlcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) [Google Play](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL3dnaUEvaGdvaG9veno_bGlkPW56ZjZqc3FuNjgxNVcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's IndyArts newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's IndyArts newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please [click here](~/AAAHagA~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~). This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our [privacy notice](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RTaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9wcml2YWN5LXBvbGljeS1hNjE4NDE4MS5odG1sP2xpZD1iNTZwbWFlbnJ0eTlXBXNwY2V1QgpmrV3XrWYZZiI9Uht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) and [cookie policy](~/AAAHagA~/RgRokFxdP0RSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc2VydmljZS9jb29raWUtcG9saWN5LWE2MTg0MTg2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPXE3eGwydzlzbWo1OVcFc3BjZXVCCmatXdetZhlmIj1SG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)