HRVY Exclusive Photoshoot and Interview
Photography: Joseph Sinclair
Styling: Krishan Parmer
Grooming: Nadia Altinbas @ The Only Agency Using Ren skincare, Sam McKnight & Laura Mercier
Special thanks to location: The Sun Tavern
Whether you know HRVY for his music, youtube channel or as a contestant on Strictly – his dedication to his craft is certainly undeniable. Recently HRVY broke history by receiving the fastest-ever perfect score in Strictly Come Dancing history and we’ll no doubt see him continue to push his performing talents to new heights.
We caught up with HRVY for an exclusive photoshoot and interview to discuss his musical journey, time on Strictly and of course, his FAULTs.
You broke Strictly history with a perfect score in week 6, do you feel nervous about having to live up to the new high expectations on you?
HRVY: It’s pretty crazy to think I broke a record. Dancing’s become a huge part of my life, especially now I’ve been on strictly. I do feel like there’s more pressure then there was before now I’ve broken a record, I feel like people may have more of an expectation. But all I can do is my best. I signed up to the show so I could learn and enjoy dance, and that’s exactly what I’ve done
Which style of dance are you most nervous about performing?
HRVY: Ballroom and anything slow scares the hell out of me. It’s so vulnerable and exposed. With the quicker dances, you can hide little mistakes and smile and push your way through. In ballroom, you have to be so proper and controlled (everything that I’m not) so I get super nervous to perform those style of dances.
What would you say has been the hardest career hurdle you’ve had to climb so far?
HRVY: I think the hardest career hurdle so far has been the transition into a serious artist. Coming from the internet I was never taken as seriously. I’ve always sang, I grew up singing and I posted covers all the way through my teens. Getting the public to see me not just as a young teen cover singer was the tricky part. Only in the past year, I feel like I’ve finally jumped that hurdle. I now have over 1.5 billion combined streams on my original music which is pretty cool to say.
What’s been the hardest song emotionally for you to write?
HRVY: A song called “behind closed doors” actually. It hasn’t been released nor has anyone heard it or know about it. I wrote this during the lockdown, I found lockdown pretty hard, every day felt the same, I had my tour cancelled and everything that I had to look forward to was ripped away from me. This song was about how I was feeling behind all the social media posts and behind the fake wall that I had put up. It’s a really beautiful and honest song. Maybe one day I’ll release it.
When you look back on your career, what do you want your art to say about you?
HRVY: I want my art to be honest. I want my art to inspire others to create. When I’m gone I’d love for new young artists to reference my sound or one of my songs to create there own. The fact that music and art lasts forever is something so special. It’s like leaving behind your legacy.
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
HRVY: I find it really hard to believe in myself sometimes. Even with the millions of followers and billions of streams (which is so epic btw, so crazy to even say that) that I have I still struggle to have self-confidence. I love what I do and I want to sing and perform for the rest of my life and I hope the people that support me continue to believe in me the way they do because without them I really wouldn’t be where I am today.
What’s your biggest fear as it pertains to your art?
HRVY: My biggest fear is that people stop caring. I get scared that the people that support me and my art will lose interest. I’m so in love with creating music and being creative in general, it makes me so happy and other people too. My fear is that my fans will no longer need my music or even want to listen to it. They are really the only reason I do what I do.
What is your FAULT?
HRVY: Self-doubt and overthinking. I mean there’s a lot more but those two are the big ones. I’m learning things about myself and the world every day, I’m 21 now and I’m starting to see myself and the people around me in a different light. Growing up working and trying to make it as an artist has been difficult. I’ve had many nights of no sleep due to overthinking. I’m constantly doubting myself and my talent, but I think I do because I care so much, which is a good thing I suppose. But flaws and faults are what make us human, and I can’t wait to grow up and learn more about them and hopefully change them.