Home is …
Angel. I live there with my two cats, Fanta and Sprite, and my partner is basically my neighbour, who lives 10 minutes away.
Where do you stay in London?
I did a shoot in Claridge’s with Ellen von Unwerth when I was 19 and I remember being shook to my core that such a decadent and luxurious place existed. If I think, ‘What is the epitome of London luxury?’ It would be that.
Where was your first flat in London?
I moved to London in 2008 and found a room in a flat behind Brick Lane. I mean, it wasn’t really a bedroom — it was a room under the stairs with no windows, and I slept on an air mattress because I couldn’t fit a bed in there. And I paid £500 a month for the privilege.
What was your first job?
When I moved to London I was very much a jobbing actor, so I did weekend shifts in Rokit clothing and Polpo, Russell Norman’s restaurant. It was a lot of fun, even though we were so messy and not very good at our jobs.
Where would you recommend for a first date?
The canal from Camden to Angel, to London Fields and beyond. It’s full of London’s history and has all these stop-offs, like the Towpath café. I like movement on a date, so you’re not just sitting opposite each other.
Which shops do you rely on?
LN-CC for new clothes. Crystal Palace Antiques, this four-floor antique warehouse for interiors. After Noah in Islington for gifts. Atlantis Bookshop on Museum Street for all your metaphysical needs and Gay’s the Word for all your LGBTQ+ reading material.
What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
Once a cab driver dropped me off and said, ‘Oh, can we take a picture?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, of course.’ Then he said, ‘My wife’s gonna be really excited when I tell her I met Olly Murs.’
Best meal you’ve had?
The Tamil Prince in Islington. They do amazing okra fries and masala dosas.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
Give everyone an allotment. Some kind of outside space where they can grow carrots and keep bees — they can do whatever they want with it, but some kind of wildlife regeneration.
Have you ever had a run-in with a London police officer?
Only in It’s a Sin.
Who do you call when you want to have fun?
Munroe Bergdorf. A great person to party with, but it’s also a lot of fun to chill in her house, with her five hairless cats and dogs.
Most iconic Londoner?
George Michael.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
Astier de Villatte incense. Kate Moss carries a box of it around with her everywhere she goes, so you know it’s good.
What’s your London secret?
The Parkland Walk, from Crouch End to Highgate Wood. But there’s also Queen’s Wood next to it, which is stunning.
Which podcast are you currently obsessed with?
Barbra Streisand’s autobiography, which is absolutely amazing and 48 hours long.
Favourite beauty spot?
I have to shout out to my barber, Demetri at Saints Barbers in Crouch End.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
I just released new single, Cupid’s Bow, from my album Polari, which is out February 7. I took the name from a type of slang that was spoken in the 19th and 18th centuries in the UK by different marginalised communities, and then later on by lots of gay men as a way to communicate in secret. They called this language Polari, and that was a very big inspiration for me for the album.
Who’s your professional hero?
Elton John. I recently attended the gala for Elton’s documentary, Never Too Late. He’s one of the greatest rock stars of all time.
What app do you rely on?
My plant identifier app. I’ve gotten really into gardening. I apologise to anyone that sees me taking a picture outside their garden, I’m just trying to look at the plant!
Last thing you googled?
What is the maximum amount of vitamin C you can take in one day?
Olly Alexander partnered with American Express to attend the European premiere of Elton John: Never Too Late at the Amex Gala for the 68th BFI London Film Festival. Elton John: Never Too Late will be on Disney+ from December 13
