Olly Alexander
Olly Alexander (born Oliver Alexander Thornton, 15 July 1990), is an English actor, scriptwriter, and lead singer of Years & Years. The band released their debut single "Traps" via Kitsuné in September 2013.
Early life
Alexander was born in England. His mother, Vicki Thornton, was one of the founders of the Coleford Music Festival. Alexander attended St John's Primary School in Coleford and Monmouth Comprehensive School leaving to study Performing Arts at Hereford College of Arts. While at Monmouth Comprehensive School, he acted in two school plays: Guys and Dolls, as Benny, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle, as the Corporal.The New York Times reported that he wrote his first song on his father's Casio keyboard aged 10. His parents separated when he was 13 and he was brought up by his mother as a single parent.
He obtained the services of an agent when he was 16 since while auditioning for a part in UK TV series Skins. In a YouTube video uploaded from NylonMagazineTV, Alexander said he dropped out of school. This can be clarified that he actually dropped out of Hereford College of Arts to pursue his acting career as parts were offered: "I started acting when I was young; it just sort of happened. I dropped out of school to work around the world, which was amazing." "I really wanted to become a singer or a musician ... All of a sudden I was an actor. It was never something I’d set my heart on being. I’m still trying to work it out ... I really hated school because I was totally bullied. But you’re never bullied in drama class because the weird kids do well in drama class. That’s a safe place". Alexander was interviewed about his mental health by Guardian columnist Owen Jones.