Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan is at the vanguard of queer representation in mainstream pop — which is to say, the vanguard of pop. In his 2013 coming-out video, the South African/Australian former YouTube star referenced the It Gets Better Project, adding, “It can be good right from the start. You can have a smooth sail right out of the closet.” Sivan’s 2015 album, Blue Neighborhood, focused on coming-of-age narratives, but with his second album, Bloom, the 23-year-old dance-pop star explores passion and vulnerability — but as a chic, self-possessed adult. He’s already shared an arena stage with Taylor Swift, released confidently low-key bop “Dance to This,” featuring Ariana Grande, and acted in (and recorded the soundtrack for) big fall movie Boy Erased. Sivan is poised to break massively — and without trepidation.—