As he celebrates the release of his 9th studio album ‘Light It Up’, British singer-songwriter Will Young checks in with Jamie Laing to appear on the latest episode of the Radio 1 DJ’s podcast ‘Great Company with Jamie Laing’.
Discussion between the pair includes drugs, going for lunch with the Queen, Will’s impact on people, Elton John sending him flowers, being sexualised, coming out as gay, sex, his new album and being single.
Young also talks about his school and physically abusive teachers, speaking out against the school and creating family rifts, grief, filming ‘Who Do You Think You Are’, his brother’s suicide, humour, death, being vulnerable in love, having his heart broken, Strictly Come Dancing and feeling suicidal at the time.
Will on Strictly Come Dancing…
I was so unwell at that time, I shouldn’t have been working, and I definitely shouldn’t have been doing the show – I was mentally injured. I had a really bad anxiety disorder. I mean, like, major agoraphobia, and dissociation. So one day, suddenly I was sitting down, and I didn’t recognise, for myself, it was just very it was depersonalisation, and I didn’t recognise the person. I knew who the person I was sitting opposite was, but I didn’t know, literally, like that, I know it’s Faye. She was my manager. She had been my manager for ages, but I knew who she was. I thought I’d gone mad, and then I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror, so I’d look in the mirror, but I know, I knew that it was me, but I didn’t. It was just crazy.
I tried to pull out, I tried to not do it, but I sort of got forced to do it, not by the Strictly team, but by my managers at the time. I don’t have that management anymore, so, you know, I did try and look after myself. Awful. It was awful, awful, awful. And I think there was stuff going on
Will on fame…
I was so focused on having a career, but the fame was secondary. Honestly, I was laser focused. I was like: “I’ve got to get to five years, and I’ve got to do a second album.” And thankfully, I got to do that album, and sold twice as many copies of the first! It was bonkers – it sold a million in three and a half weeks.
Will on being vulnerable in love…
I don’t know if I’ve fully worked out how to be vulnerable in a relationship. What I do know is that I thrive in parameters. If something doesn’t have parameters, and people aren’t in their roles, I don’t feel as safe. I can be vulnerable in a safe space.
Will Young – The Worst (Official Music Video)
Featuring an array of compelling discussions, with a diverse roster of guests from the worlds of entertainment, culture, and sport, Great Company invites anyone and everyone to pull up a seat and join in the conversation – and with Jamie at the helm, listeners can be sure to expect convos that are anything but ordinary!
Since launching earlier this year, guests on the pod have included comedian Jo Brand, chart-topping singer-songwriters, YUNGBLUD, Paloma Faith and Zara Larsson, broadcaster Elizabeth Day and magician, Dynamo.
Great Company with Jamie Laing is available on all podcast providers