Insights

In a candid conversation with Alim Kheraj, a 45-year-old pop artist opens up about his experiences as a gay man in the music industry during the Noughties. He describes feeling isolated, likening his experience to being "an island." Despite the challenges he faced, including a traumatic history of abuse at boarding school, he emphasizes that his new album, *Light It Up*, represents a shift towards joyous and fun pop music. He acknowledges the normalization of difficulties during that era, reflecting on how absurd it seems in hindsight. The artist candidly discusses the complexities of dating in the modern age, particularly through dating apps. He expresses discomfort with being viewed merely as a fetish, stating, “You don’t feel seen as someone’s fetish,” and highlights the lack of open dialogue about these issues within the LGBTQ+ community. His desire to create a documentary about his experiences was met with skepticism, as he felt that society was not ready to confront the realities of abuse among privileged youth. He also reveals his confrontational stance towards his former prep school regarding the trauma he endured, stating that he would continue to speak out unless they provided support for his treatment. This determination reflects a broader sentiment about the struggles of being a gay pop star in the 2000s, as he asserts, “I realized that I’m not beholden to it.” His journey illustrates a powerful narrative of resilience and self-acceptance in the face of adversity.