WILS

WILS TO SURVIVE OUT SINGER’S NEW ALBUM REFLECTS ON CONQUERING LOSS

SINGAPORE POP SINGING SENSATION WILS — WHO REVEALED HE WAS GAY LAST YEAR WITH THE HIT SINGLE, “OPEN UP BABE” — IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS ALBUM, WTF, NAMED BEST POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE HOLLYWOOD F.A.M.E AWARDS. THE ALBUM ALSO RECEIVED A BEST ALBUM NOMINATION AT THE LOS ANGELES MUSIC AWARDS, AS WELL AS POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR (MALE), INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR AND MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR FOR THE SUPERB INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY, MUSIC, FASHION AND ART IN HIS SINGLE, “LESS IS MORE”. THIS MONTH, HE RETURNS WITH A NEW ALBUM, DON’T LEAVE TOO SOON, FEATURING 12 ORIGINAL TRACKS THAT SHED LIGHT ON THE DARKER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW. “THE LAST YEAR WAS PRETTY ROUGH,” WILS CONTENDS. “WHILE I WAS EXPERIENCING A NEWFOUND SENSE OF FREEDOM FROM COMING OUT, THE LIVES OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE AROUND ME WERE FALLING APART.” SONGS REFLECT ON ALL ASPECTS OF LOSS: THE EMPTINESS, HOPELESSNESS AND REJECTION, AS WELL AS THE COURAGE AND STRENGTH IT TAKES TO PERSEVERE AFTER SAYING GOODBYE. “THIS IS A VERY PERSONAL ALBUM AND I AM DEDICATING IT TO EVERYONE OUT THERE BATTLING HEARTACHE FROM THE END OF A SEASON.”

FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS ON COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET. WILS: THANKS! I’M SO MUCH HAPPIER BEING MYSELF. NO MORE WEARING A MASK TO HIDE WHO I AM. THAT WAS TIRING AND REALLY SCARY. IT IS SO MUCH BETTER NOW THAT I CAN BE HONEST WITH THE PEOPLE I LOVE.

MOST SONGWRITERS WOULD HAVE WRITTEN AN ALBUM REFLECTING ON THEIR YEAR OF NEWFOUND FREEDOM. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WRITE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS YOUR FRIENDS WERE FACING?

I want them to know that they are not alone. I don’t think we talk about pain enough. It’s hard to talk about it. But vulnerability brings authenticity. It gives you a greater bond with the ones you love; and I feel that that’s really something we could all do for ourselves. Look at the things that hurt us and share it with those we love. We never have to

go through it alone.

ARE THEIR EXPERIENCES A REMINDER TO YOU THAT WHAT COMES UP MUST COME DOWN? IN OTHER WORDS, YOUR LIFE MAY BE HAPPY NOW BUT DIFFICULT TIMES ARE CERTAIN TO FOLLOW.

Yeah, I used to feel that way. When things were going great, there would be this voice in my head saying, “Okay now... you better be prepared because shit’s ‘bout to happen”. But I think that’s a very unhealthy way of looking at things. In moments of happiness, it’s important that we allow ourselves to lean into the joy and feel all of it wholeheartedly. Really soak it up! Life’s ups and downs are inevitable. We can’t avoid them. But I have learned that when the pain comes, it’s best to ask myself what’s preventing me from being happy. I think having an honest conversation with yourself is the key to finding peace and joy.

IN “HAVE TO LET YOU GO,” YOU SING ABOUT A FRIEND WHO TOOK HIS LIFE. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FRIEND?

He was successful, funny, intelligent, witty and a great dancer with a great body. When I first came to the USA, knowing practically no one, he was one of the few people to take me under his wing. He would find me out in the bars, standing alone (yep, I’m a loner!) and introduce me to all of his friends. He never wanted anyone to feel left out.

WHAT IS IT THAT LED TO HIS FATEFUL DECISION?

His parents never accepted him for being gay. No matter how much he achieved, all of it meant little to him because he felt he could never share his success with the people he loved most. He was of Middle eastern descent and felt intense shame that he could never be the son they wished him to be.

WERE THERE ANY SIGNS THAT MAYBE HIS FRIENDS/FAMILY IGNORED OR DIDN’T NOTICE?

Since his passing, I’ve learned that many people who decide to take their own life have planned it way ahead before they do it. I wasn’t aware that my friend had tried to take his life three years ago, but had failed. Sometimes the ones who smile the most are the ones in the most pain.

WERE YOU ABLE TO SAY A PROPER GOODBYE TO HIM?

We had an awesome night on the dancefloor a week before he left. I

like to believe it was his way of saying goodbye to me.

SAYING GOODBYE IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO, YET IT’S INEVITABLE THAT EVERY RELATIONSHIP MUST COME TO AN END.

I think sometimes being hopeful that a relationship will carry on even when it has ended might seem like the right thing to do, but it prevents us from moving forward and allowing ourselves to find the peace within ourselves.

YOU SING ABOUT IT IN “HURTING,” YOUR SONG TO YOUR FRIEND WHO

LOST HIS HUSBAND TO ILLNESS. My friend was with his late husband for twelve years. His husband had colon cancer and survived six years. He suffered a long time, knowing the man he loved was going to leave him. It’s a reminder of how hard it is to say goodbye.

IS THAT WHY YOU TITLED THE ALBUM, DON’T LEAVE TOO SOON?

The title is meant to represent our attachment to the things that we love and how they will eventually have to go someday, and so we must treasure every little moment in life while they last. The title is also meant to be a reminder of the importance of living wholeheartedly in the moment, giving love to the things that really matter.

IT’S A GREAT RECORD, WILS.

Thanks! So much work goes into making an album. It can be physically and emotionally draining. It’s always hard for me to listen to the songs after I’ve recorded them because of the memories they bring. But I hope this album helps anyone going through pain and that it validates their feelings and lets them know they are not alone.

FOLLOW WILS ON INSTAGRAM @ HEYWILS