As a gamer who’s been around the block a few times, I can say that Omar Apollo is living the dream. From his critically acclaimed debut album to a Grammy nomination, and now stepping into acting with a steamy role opposite Daniel Craig, it’s like he’s leveling up in real life.
Omar Apollo is rolling through a lot of firsts in his life.
As a young gamer hailing from Indiana, I’ve always dreamt of breaking boundaries and making a name for myself. Just like that up-and-coming singer who skyrocketed to fame with his hit album Ivory and earned a Grammy nomination, I too jumped at the opportunity when asked to make my acting debut alongside Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer. This A24 film sees me playing a charismatic hustler sharing an intense one-night stand with Craig’s character, William Lee, set against the backdrop of Mexico City – experiences that include steamy love scenes and full frontal nudity, all new territory for this 27-year-old. Since then, I’ve graced the Venice Film Festival and the LACMA Art + Film Gala, stepping into uncharted waters as a budding star in Hollywood.
Apollo expressed, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter at the L.A. premiere on Wednesday night at DGA Theater Complex, “It’s nice to be invited, it’s endearing.” He further shared, “I rarely ponder how I am seen, so I simply exist and finding that people appreciate my music and me as a person is wonderful. It’s something I never take for granted.
He’s also not letting it slide that the queer-themed film based on the William S. Burroughs novel (adapted by Justin Kuritzkes) is coming out after a highly divisive election. Set in 1950s Mexico City, Queer follows an outcast American expat (Craig) who becomes infatuated with a younger man (Drew Starkey) as he battles substance abuse, which takes them on a surprising expedition. Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Henry Zaga, Colin Bates, Drew Droege, Ariel Schulman and Simon Rizzoni round out the cast.
Originally hailing from Indiana, which is known for its conservative leanings, he expressed his hope to broaden someone’s perspective. Particularly now, he feels an even greater sense of pride being part of a movie like this. He was already proud, but now, he exudes a sense of rebellion. This film’s release at this time, in his view, is particularly impactful. It’s a story about love and loss that surpasses sexuality and people; it’s a narrative about humanity.
At the outset, Apollo makes an appearance, implying there’s much more narrative to unfold following his departure from the 135-minute film. “I found it extraordinary,” he commented about watching the entire movie. “It was almost unbelievable to me that I’m involved in it. Watching it felt like I wasn’t acting my character, which made the completed work all the more captivating. My scene is one of my favorites – it has a strange, eerie quality that I appreciate, and I admire the energy it conveys.
Regarding his full-frontal scene, the singer chose to confide only in his close friends about his participation and nudity. He explained, “I shared it with my really good friends. I didn’t want too many opinions on this. It felt good. I didn’t overthink it much. I trusted Luca, the cast, and the story. William Burroughs is an exceptional writer, so I placed my trust in everything about it.” However, he did confess to taking a quick glance at himself in the mirror and snapping a nude selfie to send to a friend for some comfort and reassurance.
I performed the action, which involved snapping a shot and forwarding it to a buddy. In response, I said something like, ‘What do you think of my skills?’ The image can now be found on my mobile device, likely within a group conversation.
Regarding Hollywood’s future prospects, Apollo expressed an upbeat outlook, suggesting that there will likely be additional acting roles and new milestones ahead, whatever they might entail.
As a passionate enthusiast, I find myself captivated by both the silver screen and television. There’s something about them that truly resonates within me, stirring an innate desire to delve deeper into this captivating realm. Yet, music remains my primary passion and unyielding love, a force that has fueled my obsession since time immemorial. However, these other creative pursuits are a welcome bonus, a fortunate addition to my life’s journey. I am profoundly grateful to be surrounded by such extraordinarily talented individuals on this exciting adventure.
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2024-11-15 00:25