Omar Apollo is Leaning Into His 'Queer' Film and Identity

Omar Apollo has gone from pop sensation to breakout actor in just a few years. Fresh off of the debut of his sophomore album, "God Said No," Apollo is now gearing up for the premiere of his highly-anticipated turn in Luca Guadagnino's film, "Queer."

In a new interview with Forbes, Apollo talks about growing up in the Midwest and not having access to certain creative outlets.

"Coming from the Midwest, there isn't much music being played when your parents aren't directors or stylists or set designers," said Apollo. "Your parents worked at the restaurant or the school, so all these things about art are far-fetched and aren't real."

He added, "And yet, I had the kind of mindset that was a little more open to the arts. Other than that, [growing up in the Midwest] was great. I love it there – I just went back to see family."

Apollo said the evolution of his sound comes from a desire to create "this introspective, inner-dialogue" with his past and present.

"The writing is a lot more poetic [than my previous music]. Being able to tour, it's been amazing because I wrote it for a live audience, so the only way I feel it would be represented correctly is if I went on tour," said Apollo. "So, I'm doing that now – it means a lot. It's a very emotional album but I try to make it fun."

Apollo has also tried to bring more fun to the way he handles fame and make peace with how fame affects his family

"My mom and dad, the biggest question I ask them, 'How do you feel about the visibility that I have – people coming up to you?' [They say] 'We're just proud is all' – and honestly, that's all I really need to hear," said Apollo. "I also feel a little guilty because the [El Super Taco] restaurant had to shut down due to, like, the infrastructure, and how to run a business was very new to them. They were younger and they had this dream, and as soon as I was born, they had to shut it down, so I felt guilty. I want to keep sharing this with the world and I love hot sauce – it's just a part of my youth."

Read Apollo's full story in Forbes.