Home / Arts and Entertainment / Alexander: I Abused My Body in Wild Party Years
Alexander: I Abused My Body in Wild Party Years
24 Feb
Summary
- Alexander struggled with his sexuality in his teens.
- He partied excessively, abusing his body.
- The actor confronted HIV fears via 'It's A Sin'.
Olly Alexander has shared that his teenage years involved excessive partying and self-abuse as he struggled to accept his sexuality. Appearing on Paloma Faith's podcast, 'Mad Sad Bad', Alexander described his party years as a formative period where he sought community but admitted to behaviors he doesn't fully endorse.
He explained that he remained in denial about his sexuality until age 19. His experiences in London's nightlife, from Soho bars to East London clubs, often led to multi-day events with little sleep. Alexander acknowledged that while he enjoyed much of that time, he significantly abused his body.
More recently, starring in the acclaimed drama 'It's A Sin' helped Alexander confront a deep-seated fear of HIV and sex. He linked this fear to past shame associated with being gay. The role, portraying a young gay man affected by the AIDS crisis in 1980s London, was instrumental in unpacking these issues for him.
