Olly Alexander, born Oliver Alexander Thornton on 15 July 1990, is a multifaceted English artist whose career has seamlessly bridged the worlds of music and acting, establishing him as one of the most distinctive and openly authentic voices in contemporary British pop culture. He first captured the public’s imagination as the charismatic frontman of the synth-pop band Years & Years, a role that propelled him to the top of the UK charts and earned him critical acclaim. Beyond his musical success, Alexander has proven himself a formidable actor, most notably delivering a career-defining performance in the landmark television drama It's a Sin, while also using his platform to champion LGBTQ rights and visibility.

Alexander’s journey into the spotlight began in the late 2000s, but his breakthrough came with the formation of Years & Years, a project that evolved from a solo endeavor into a full-fledged band. With his soaring falsetto and magnetic stage presence, Alexander led the group to unprecedented commercial success. The band’s debut album achieved a No. 1 position on the UK Albums Chart, followed by a second chart-topping release, while their infectious singles, including a No. 1 hit on the UK Singles Chart and five Top 10 entries, solidified their status as pop heavyweights. During their tenure, Years & Years garnered six Brit Award nominations, cementing their place in the British music scene before their dissolution in 2024, after which Alexander continued to release music under the band’s name until that point.

While his musical career flourished, Alexander simultaneously built an impressive acting résumé. His performance as Ritchie Tozer in Russell T Davies’s acclaimed Channel 4 series It's a Sin in 2021 was a watershed moment, earning him widespread critical praise and nominations for Best Actor at the British Academy Television Awards, the Critics' Choice Television Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards. The role, which depicted the life of a young gay man during the AIDS crisis, showcased his emotional depth and range, further demonstrating that his talents extended far beyond the recording studio.

In 2024, Alexander embarked on a new chapter as a solo artist, representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, with his debut solo single "Dizzy". The performance marked his first release under his own name, and while the song finished in 18th place with 46 points in the grand final, it served as a bold statement of his artistic evolution. He followed this with the release of his debut solo album, Polari, on 7 February 2025, a project that allowed him to explore a more personal and introspective sound. As an outspoken activist and a visible figure in the LGBTQ community, Alexander continues to use his artistry and influence to advocate for acceptance and self-expression, solidifying his legacy as a dynamic and influential force in modern entertainment.