Wolverine to wonderland: How Troye Sivan became a pop icon

As Troye Sivan turns 25, let’s reflect on the young pop icon’s journey from X-Men Origins: Wolverine to multi-talented artist.

When 13-year old Troye Sivan portrayed the younger version of Logan in X-Men Origins: Wolverine back in 2009, few could have anticipated the career that awaited him. Oh he exhibited star quality in bucket loads, bringing the iconic Marvel comic book character to life in an authentic way that complemented the backstory of Hugh Jackman’s claw-toting mutant, but it only launched a career that would see him go on to reach much greater heights.

Today, the name Troye Sivan sparks multiple conversations. Whether it be nostalgic reflections about the first generation of YouTubers, conversations about groundbreaking LGBTQ artists or chats regarding the most innovative singer-songwriters in the world right now, the multi-talented Sivan has done so many incredible things in his young career that his impressive turn as young Wolverine often gets overlooked.

With his 25th birthday upon us, let’s reflect on the impressive career of one of the comic book movie genre’s hidden gems and how he ultimately transcended any genre to become one of the most creative artists in the world today.

X-Men Origins: Troye Sivan

Sivan’s primary focus has always been music, but that didn’t stop him from trying his hand at other types of performing. His role in X-Men Origins: Wolverine was his feature film debut, and the young talent got the part after a Hollywood agent contacted him and asked him to send in an audition tape.

We’ve talked a little bit about his turn in the film, and it really shouldn’t be downplayed. Yes, his appearance may have been brief but he used those moments wisely, impressing audiences with his performance as the young, ill and very angry James Howlett.

He would later land the lead role in South African novel adaptation Spud before reprising it in two sequels. And as impressive as his acting CV was quickly becoming, this only marked the beginning of a career that was destined to flourish for other reasons.

The one thing that both X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the Spud trilogy have in common is that Sivan was asked to be involved in both projects as a direct result of his burgeoning musical/acting career. The Hollywood agent who reached out to him had seen him performing on the Channel Seven Perth Telethon via YouTube, while the uncle of Spud producer Ross Garland saw him on TV and wrote to his nephew about him.

Yes, Sivan was making an impact because of his on-screen presence, and he soon found a way to make that more of a permanent thing…

My YouTube Is Yours

Though Sivan had uploaded some covers on his YouTube channel before his X-Men Origins success, it was his transition into full-time YouTuber that catapulted him to superstardom.

One of the first generation of YouTubers – alongside the likes of Tyler Oakley, Caspar Lee, Joe Sugg and Zoella – he quickly gained a global following, and it’s easy to see why. His content was undeniably youthful and easily relatable, and this showed in the viewing figures as his videos (which ranged from pranks and trends to more meaningful uploads like his Coming Out story) obtained millions of views as his channel amassed over 5 million subscribers. It now has over 7 million.

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His transition to YouTube star, however, never shifted his true focus, as he used his platform to showcase his musical talent from time to time, uploading covers of songs like Adele’s “Someone Like You” and Ed Sheeran’s “Kiss Me” along the way. But the thing that really set him apart were the original songs that he wrote, including fun parody tunes like “We’re My OTP” and the beautiful “The Fault In Our Stars”.

This all played a huge role in securing him a record deal with EMI Australia… and the rest, as they say, is history…

A Revelation

Sivan’s musical career has been something of a whirlwind. One moment he was releasing his debut EP, and now he’s released two Top 10 studio albums, written multiple hit singles and even gotten himself nominated for a Golden Globe Award. But what is it about Troye Sivan that makes him stand out in a crowd of youthful pop stars?

The truth is that there’s no definitive single answer to that because there is so much about him that makes him appealing. He’s so unapologetically himself in everything he does and that has resonated with his millions of fans (many of whom followed him YouTube), and, in spite of that, he’s still found unique and creative ways to reinvent himself.

His music transcends genres; it’s catchy but powerful, infectious but moving – with tunes like “My My My!” making you want to dance, strut and sing your heart out while meaningful tracks like “Heaven” and “Revelation” have become empowering anthems for the LGBTQ community, enlightening people all over the world with the age old message that, yes, love is love.

Speaking of “Revelation”, Sivan’s career feels like it’s come full-circle in a way, as he recently returned to acting with a supporting role in 2018’s critically-acclaimed Boy Erased – the movie that he wrote the song for which ultimately received a Golden Globe nomination. And he also was also in the middle of filming another unknown movie before the novel coronavirus pandemic put it on hold.

“My Youth is yours,” Sivan sings in his 2016 mega-hit “Youth”, and in a way, those words couldn’t be more relevant. He has given his youth to all of us, sharing so much of himself on the internet through his early days of YouTube right up to now through his expressive lyrics. He lives to create content that reaches out to people, and if his latest single – the inadvertently but excellently-timed “Take Yourself Home” – suggests, he shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

With another movie in the pipeline and a third album/project on the way, Sivan’s career will continue to bloom (pun intended). And the world is undoubtedly a much richer place because of this mega-talented 25 year old.

He’s come a long way from Wolverine, but once a hero, always a hero.

Do you remember Troye Sivan’s performance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine? What’s your favorite song of his? Let us know in the comments below!