Troye Sivan, at such a young age is so talented! He has worked alongside Hugh Jackman in Xmen Origins: Wolverine and has recently starred alongside John Cleese in "Spud." Troye also performed onstage with Sir Ian McKellan in a production of "Waiting for Godot." Not only a superb actor, but boy can he sing, so be sure to listen to his single posted below. Discovered on the Internet, Troye was launched into lead roles with some of the world's greatest actors. His latest albumn debuted at number five on the Billboards.
The Global Townhall is excited to have Troye Sivan chatting with us in an exclusive interview.
Gabrielle Reilly: Do/did you go to singing or acting lessons?
Troye Sivan: I started professional singing lessons when I was about 9, and trained up until about 13. They were really valuable to me, and still help me to this day. I took a break from lessons while my voice broke, but have recently started going again when I have something big coming up. For example, I worked with a Grammy award winning producer in London, Kipper! I'm so excited about it, and I'll definitely be taking a few more vocal lessons. As for acting, I had about 5 or 6 lessons after Wolverine, but haven't had any since.
Gabrielle Reilly: How has the success you've already achieved impacted your day to day life?
Troye Sivan: Well, firstly, I don't have to go in to school anymore! So that's pretty cool. It gives me the freedom to be able to do the things I really want. For example, on a daily basis, I'm either making music, writing something, filming videos for YouTube, or keeping in touch with my online fan base, or doing all of the above at once. It's the perfect job! I'm so thankful for all of it, and wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world.
Gabrielle Reilly: I know many of the famous stars I interview have heard the word "no" a million times in the entertainment industry and still do. Many handle the rejection understanding they may have a different idea about casting the character and the "no" had nothing to do with them, or that they are one step closer to a yes. How do you think you are going to handle the word "no" throughout your career without it bringing you down?
Troye Sivan: It can get tough. Personally, when it comes to casting and acting, I really don't let it get to me at all - you never know what the casting director wants. For all I know, I could lose out on a part because of my eye colour, or height. There are so many intricate details that have to be perfect for an actor to get a part, so I don't like to think of it as a personal attack in any way. At the same time, if I don't get a part, it pushes me to want to try harder and improve my acting.
Gabrielle Reilly: How much have your family helped you achieve your dreams?
Troye Sivan: I really couldn't be here without my family! We're all so close, and they have supported me every step of the way. We're a family of six, and they all came out to South Africa for the filming of Spud to support. I'm sure it hasn't been easy at times for my mom or dad to leave each other and the other kids when they needed to travel with me, and so I thank them so much for that sacrifice.
Gabrielle Reilly: What did you learn from both Hugh Jackman and John Cleese?
Troye Sivan: I've been extremely blessed to have had the opportunities to work with the people I have worked with. Hugh was just lovely. A real good, Aussie bloke who couldn't have been nicer. We only really had the chance to talk a couple of times, but he really taught me to stay humble, and showed just how possible it is to be one of the biggest stars in the world, and still be a really nice guy. John Cleese is also just awesome. We have spent a lot of time together over the last two years or so, and he is such an amazing man. I really felt like our relationship reflected the relationship of our characters in SPUD. John was my mentor, guiding me through the filming process, teaching me so much. I couldn't be more grateful for that experience.
Gabrielle Reilly: What did you learn from both Hugh Jackman and John Cleese?
Troye Sivan: I've been extremely blessed to have had the opportunities to work with the people I have worked with. Hugh was just lovely. A real good, Aussie bloke who couldn't have been nicer. We only really had the chance to talk a couple of times, but he really taught me to stay humble, and showed just how possible it is to be one of the biggest stars in the world, and still be a really nice guy. John Cleese is also just awesome. We have spent a lot of time together over the last two years or so, and he is such an amazing man. I really felt like our relationship reflected the relationship of our characters in SPUD. John was my mentor, guiding me through the filming process, teaching me so much. I couldn't be more grateful for that experience.
Gabrielle Reilly: How did you land your part in X-Men Origins: Wolverine?
Troye Sivan: It's actually a pretty cool story! I started to post videos of me singing onto YouTube in 2007. At the time, I covered a Declan Galbraith song, who is also a child singer. Rod Paul, who worked with Declan's manager, Alan Field in the UK, was online watching Declan's videos when my video came up as a related video! He checked it out of curiosity, and I guess he liked what he saw! Rod contacted my parents and myself, asking if I had thought of trying out acting. I told him that I was keen, and he sent over my first audition within a couple of weeks - the Wolverine audition. Mum and I filmed it at home, and emailed it off - and I got the part! Essentially, I owe it all to the internet, and to my manager stumbling upon my video that day. Rod is still my manager to this day, and I just started post more regularly on my youtube channel. You can check it out at www.youtube.com/troyesivan18
Gabrielle Reilly: How did you balance starring in Spud and school?
Troye Sivan: Well, I started learning through distance education in early 2009. I had shot Wolverine, and was doing a lot of singing at the time, and often missing 2-3 days of school per week. We looked into other ways of schooling, and found distance education! I still have teachers, (virtual) classrooms, and exams, but it can all be done remotely, without me going in to a campus of any kind. During Spud, I was working long hours, 6 days a week, and distance education gave me the flexibility to put school work on the back burner while I was shooting. It was a real blessing.
