Andy Bell Credits Debbie Harry for Helping Him Come Out seçenFilterWhere

Erasure Actor Andy Bell mentioned that the lead vocalist from Blondie, Debbie Harry , assisted him in coming out as a teenager.

Bell is most renowned as one-half of the synth-pop duo Erasure, responsible for the chart-topping hits 'A Little Respect,' 'Sometimes,' and 'Always.'

The 61-year-old musician now collaborates on a track with Harry called "Heart’s A Lier," featured in his recently launched studio album, Ten Crowns.

Bell told PA news agency: “She was my teenage idol.

I was captivated. Whenever I saw her on television, she had this large hairstyle with light shining through the hair, giving it an almost halo-like appearance.

And thus, I purchased a pack of hair bleach and lightened my hair before heading confidently to school wearing my Blondie T-shirt.

She sort of assisted me in exploring my identity before I fully identified as gay, and that experience stayed with me.

I used to be one of those children who would spend hours locked up in their room listening to music.

I kept the record player in my wardrobe to amplify the sound.

The musician launched his Ten Crowns tour in May 2025, featuring shows across the UK during the summer months as well as some performances elsewhere. Ireland , Denmark and Germany.

The portion of the tour in North America will run from October through to December, featuring concerts in various locations. New York City , Washington D.C., and Toronto.

Regarding Harry and his new track, Heart’s A Lier, Bell mentioned that the song was finalized after approximately one year of work, particularly focusing on getting Harry’s vocals just right.

He stated: "She's an excellent mentor and her songs are incredible. You know, the way she employs her voice."

It took roughly a year to return, but it showed up on the very same day when we were participating in the New York City Gay Pride festivities last year, and the vocal part arrived then too. I couldn’t help thinking how typically Debbie this was—her sense of timing has always been perfect.

I could never have imagined this as a teen who used to listen to her music. There’s no way I’d think I'd end up collaborating on a song with her.

Bell states that the sector "still has some distance to cover" to become more inclusive.

He stated: "I am aware that everyone gets just one opportunity."

And you might achieve great success with it, which is perfectly acceptable; however, as soon as things begin to deviate from expectations, you're discarded entirely, as though you've been overlooked.

And my counsel for young LGBTQ+ individuals in the business world would be to develop an exceptionally tough exterior.

And besides, when you achieve success, don't fall for all the flattery and excessive compliments people heap on you. They can be overwhelming and overly praising. It’s important to maintain who you truly are.

I believe individuals get increasingly scarred, not due to immediate stardom, but because you're either extremely successful or entirely insignificant.

I'm not suggesting it happens instantly since they put in tremendous effort, but I feel almost compelled to forewarn them just to be safe.

Formed by Bell and the composer and lyricist Vince Clarke, Erasure claimed the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1989. The band also achieved several chart-topping records such as "Wild!", "Chorus," and "I Say I Say I Say."

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