Time names South African-born Teen as one of the Most Influential Teens in the World

A South African-born Australian teenager, Troye Sivan, has been named as one of the 25 most influential teens in the world!

The 19-year-old internet sensation, who lives in Perth when he’s not travelling the world, was listed on Time Magazine’s annual list of the 25 Most Influential Teens on the planet…alongside such notables as Pakistani youth activist Malala Yousafzai (who became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize just days ago)!

Troye’s claim to fame is thanks to his acting and musical talents, as well as an incredible following on social media, generated by his vlogging (video blogging). South Africans will recognise him from his starring role in the South African movie franchise ‘Spud’.

The teenager’s influence on the world expands beyond simple entertainment. He’s also responsible for raising funds for sick children (he donated 100% of the profits of one of his most successful songs to a hospital that treats children with cancer), and he has been a positive voice inspiring acceptance for young people in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

Twelve Things you might not know about Troye Silvan:

1. In 2008 Troye was cast in ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ 

Troye was only about 12 at the time, and got the role after a Hollywood agent spotted one his videos on YouTube and asked him to submit an audition tape. The film happens to have been directed by fellow South African (and Academy Award winning) director Gavin Hood.

2. Troye plays the lead role in the ‘Spud’ movie trilogy.

The films, co-starring John Cleese, are based on South African author John van de Ruit’s successful books about life in a South African boys’ boarding school.  Filming took place in South Africa so Troye has had plenty of opportunity to spend time in his country of birth. ‘Spud 3: Learning to Fly’ is due for release in South African movie cinemas on 28 November 2014.

Watch Trailer: Spud 3: Learning to Fly

3. Two years ago Troye began uploading video blogs (vlogs) to YouTube.

He was inspired by friend and fellow South African internet sensation Caspar Lee, the London-based YouTuber who has become a millionaire at the age of 20. Troye had already been uploading videos to YouTube for five years, but they were mainly of his singing. Caspar recently joined the ‘Spud’ cast (see trailer above!).

Watch Caspar Lee’s Interview with Troye Sivan, November 2013

4. Troye prefers Tumblr to YouTube and has a huge internet following.

Troye has a cool 1.1-million followers on Facebook (compared to only 50,000 just over a year ago), 1.96-million on Twitter, 1.8-million on Instagram, and 2.7-million subscribers on YouTube. That’s like…millions!

5. Troye’s success on social media rose sharply last year when he uploaded his song ‘The Fault in our Stars’.

Troye was inspired to write the song after reading John Green’s book. Within a couple of days it had received a million views, and John Green himself tweeted it. Troye donated ALL proceeds (that’s 100%) to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.  The success of the song (which has now had over 4.5-million views on YouTube) grabbed the attention of several major record labels and within two months – on his birthday – Troye signed a contract with EMI Australia.

Watch  The Fault In Our Stars – Troye Sivan (Official Music Video) 

6. His first official single ‘Happy Little Pill’ has transformed him from social media sensation to global pop star.

‘Happy Little Pill’ was released in August and instantly became a huge hit, thanks in part to his massive following, but also because the song itself is worthy of being a Top 10 hit. It’s had 6.8-million views on YouTube in just two months. ‘Happy Little Pill’ is about a friend of Troye’s who suffers from depression, and it’s “about loneliness and the different ways that people cope with the things that are going on in their lives.”

Its parent – the five-track EP, TRXYE – rose swiftly to the top of the iTunes sales charts in over 55 countries!

Watch Troye Sivan’s Happy Little Pill

7. In September last year Troye came out to the world.

He had already told his family that he was gay back in 2010. He made the public announcement in a YouTube video and said he hoped it would bring hope to other gay and bisexual people, just like other people’s confessions on YouTube had helped him when he was younger. According to Caspar Lee, Troye’s announcement has made a great contribution to the “increasing destigmitisation of the LGBT community.”

8. He’s had only a few singing and acting lessons.

Troye had professional singing lessons between the ages of 9 and 13 (when he had to stop because his voice was breaking). He has recently started having occasional lessons again when he has a big event coming up. He had a handful of acting lessons after ‘Wolverine’, but that’s about it.

9. He’s had some ‘weird moments’ since becoming a global celebrity whose daily life is followed by millions. 

Troye admits he’s had some “weird moments here and there where I have a moment of realisation about just how many people there are following my stuff. At the same time, it’s also happened slowly over a good few years, so I think I’ve kind of adjusted over time.”

10. He loves acting but music is where his “head and heart are right now”.

Troye – who has performed on stage with Sir Ian McKellan in a production of “Waiting for Godot” – says that right now he’s enjoying making music more than acting. “It’s more personal,” he says.

11. Troye is from a family of six.

The young prodigy says his family is close and that he couldn’t have done it without their love and support.

12. Troye left South Africa when he was only about two-years-old.

Unfortunately (for South Africans) this means he identifies more with Australians BUT he says he does miss South Africa a lot and has heaps of family and friends there (plus remember he filmed the Spud trilogy in SA). At the end of the day though he says “I wouldn’t trade living in Perth for anywhere else. I’m a firm believer (and perhaps a little biased) that Perth is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”

Others in Time Magazine’s 2014 Most Influential Teens list include: President Obama’s daughters – Sasha (13) and Malia (16), ‘Modern Family’ actor Rico Rodriguez (16) who stars as Manny, Will Smith’s son Jaden (16), New Zealand singer Lorde (17) and New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko (17).

View the full list here (and vote for Troye as the most influential teen!).

P.S. If you’re in Sydney – Troye will be doing an on-stage Q&A with Bethany Mota tomorrow (15 October 2014) at 4.30 pm at the Royal Hall of Industries.