Troye Sivan: ‘I’ve done away with all that internalised homophobia’

Following in the footsteps of its spring/summer 2024 campaign featuring Tyla and Jungle’s inescapable “Back on 74”, Gap’s autumn/winter campaign, ‘Get Loose’, comes straight out of the dance studio too.

Fronted by Troye Sivan and created in collaboration with Sergio Reis – the choreographer behind his “Rush”, “Got Me Started” and “One of Your Girls” music videos – the short film champions individuality through fashion, music and dance. Soundtracked by Thundercat’s “Funny Thing,” Sivan and the accompanying troupe appear in a variety of oversized, 90s-style denim.

“Being part of the Gap campaign and wearing their denim feels like a perfect fit,” says Sivan. “Dance has become a staple in my life, giving me confidence and a sense of timeless cool. I’m honoured to be part of something that embodies such effortless style and self-expression.”

Here, we speak with the pop icon about getting over his fear of dancing, getting loose, and what to expect from his upcoming tour with Charli xcx.

Hey Troye! Dance is obviously an integral part of this new Gap campaign, but it also feels integral to your album Something to Give Each Other. Was that intentional when you were putting the album together?

Troye Sivan: It’s funny to hear you say that because dance for a long time was such a tension point in my life. I was really afraid of it as a kid because I didn’t want people to think that I was gay, but obviously I have done away with all that internalised homophobia.

When I was writing the album, my deep fantasy was exploring pop that I grew up on, be it Janet Jackson or Britney Spears. Dance was so important to me as a fan, but I’ve always said that I can’t dance and have always been embarrassed about it. But I just had a moment where I was like, ‘I owe it to myself to try.’ I remember the first day that I ever did any choreo or dance was when I went in to rehearse for the ‘Rush’ music video with Sergio, who directed this campaign, and Mauro [van de Kerkhof] who’s in this campaign and tours with me. I said ‘guys, it is totally fine to laugh at me, I’m going to be shit at this, but let’s try and learn.’ I watched back the videos from that day recently and humbly, I’ve come a really long way. Regardless of whether I was good or not that day, it’s irrelevant. It was a new feeling for me to feel in my body in a way that I absolutely love and it’s become such an important part of my life, which I never could have guessed would happen.

“The brief we gave for the ‘Rush’ choreography was ‘Janet Jackson goes to Eastern Europe’” – Troye Sivan

You’ve worked with Sergio throughout this era and on this campaign too. What is the process of putting something together?

Troye Sivan: We spent two days in Amsterdam making this campaign. It felt like such a natural progression after the last show on the Something to Give Each Other tour and I was very glad to get the extra time together. We have a really good shorthand. They totally understand my capabilities and limitations and also push me to make me a better dancer every day. Being surrounded by CDK Company, which is Sergio’s dance company, is so inspiring. I’ve never seen people express their bodies in the way they all do. Some of them started when they were seven years old, it’s incredible to watch.

We had a lot of shorthand from the tour, so it was mostly polishing and cleaning up. Sergio has a really specific dance language that he uses and he’s the only choreographer I’ve worked with. Similar to how I feel like I’ve been raised by Swedish songwriters, I feel like Sergio has raised me as a dancer. I would be petrified to work with another choreographer, I wouldn’t know what to expect.

The dance language definitely feels very unique, how would you describe it?

Troye Sivan: The brief we gave for the ‘Rush’ choreography was ‘Janet Jackson goes to Eastern Europe’, and I feel like that has sort of stuck a little bit. When Sergio and I work together, he’s so versatile and can do absolutely anything. In the context of the choreography we’ve done together, it’s the perfect amount of pop while also being really fun and not taking itself too seriously. The shapes, the poses and everything about it is so inspiring. Having someone like Maruo who can execute it so well and the intention behind how he moves is incredible. There’s not a day that goes by with them that I’m not learning, I feel like a sponge.

After being afraid of it when you were younger, you’ve grown so much as a dancer now – what does that mean to young Troye?

Troye Sivan: I’m really proud. There was something I realised during the ‘Rush’ video that it’s not all about perfection. We strive for that and Sergio is so detail-focused, but at the same time, there’s something beautiful about the way everyone moves their body. Sometimes I move awkwardly or I move in a way that feels very me – in a good way or a bad way, I don’t know, but I celebrate it. I wish I had granted myself that grace and freedom much earlier and enjoyed myself the way you do when you’re three tequila sodas down in the club. Tapping into that feeling whenever you want to.

The title of this campaign is ‘Get Loose’, how do you get loose?

Troye Sivan: I love going out, I really do, and being with friends. If I’m not on a night out at a bar, I really enjoy being at home and having friends over. It’s just about being with good people, that’s really it.

What about TikTok dances? Have you learned any new ones recently? I saw you posted about them helping you improve as a dancer… 

Troye Sivan: I’m pulling a face because I definitely have not kept up with it; I’m still exactly where I left off. I’m getting into rehearsals for the Sweat tour [with Charli xcx] soon, and I feel like that’s where I will probably improve.

“Charli and I have had this really special journey together… collaborated a bunch of times, partied together, travelled together” – Troye Sivan

What can we expect from the tour? One big gay party? 

Troye Sivan: It’s going to be crazy, it’s shaping up to be as fun as people think it’s going to be. I get it as a fan, I’m so excited. Charli and I have had this really special journey together, there are these hilarious photos of us from 2016/2017 when we met for the first time and both look crazy. We’ve collaborated a bunch of times, partied together, travelled together. She’s a really dear person to me and I feel like I get to celebrate my friend, so I’m really stoked.

As a final question: are we going to see Raygun making a surprise appearance on tour with you and can we expect to see you breakdancing for Team Australia at the 2028 Olympics? 

Troye Sivan: I feel like I could. I think Raygun is incredible, so yeah maybe a special appearance at Sweat. I’m down.