When it comes to pop music’s LGBTQ+ icons, Troye Sivan and Lil Nas X, real name Montero Lamar Hill, are leading the pack, but the way they got there? Totally different vibes. Troye is the slow-and-steady type, starting out on YouTube and gradually winning over his dedicated fan base. Lil X, though? He blew up overnight with Old Town Road, thanks to TikTok, and hasn’t slowed down since.
Both have taken their own wild paths to fame, but who really has the upper hand? Let’s see how these 2 iconic gay artists get their breakthrough over the years!
How Gay Stereotypes Have Affected Them
One major difference between Troye and Lil Nas is how they first stepped onto the scene. Nas, with his rugged, muscular vibe, didn’t get slapped with the “gay artist” label right away. When Old Town Road hit, people weren’t even thinking about his sexuality, and that definitely helped him grab a wider audience from the start.
Troye, on the other hand, was like an open book from day one. With his soft, twink-like appearance and the fact that he came out before his music career really took off, there was no guessing game really. Everyone pretty much knew he was gay right away. And his music? Oh, it’s super unapologetic about being queer, which makes him totally relatable to his fans. But, at the same time, it also meant he got typecast pretty quickly. Some people didn’t even give him a chance before boxing him in as “just the gay artist.”
Their Careers Over the Years
Troye sticks to one genre—pop—which means he’s got a super loyal but smaller fanbase. In 2015, he dropped his EP Wild and then his debut album Blue Neighbourhood. His single Youth cracked the Billboard Hot 100, but ask any of his fan, and they’ll tell you his hidden gems like Angel Baby, Strawberries & Cigarettes, and Happy Little Pill.
Oh, and let’s not forget One of Your Girls, his latest bop that has fans in their feelings! But Troye’s not just about the music—he’s been in movies like X-Men Origins: Wolverine and even played the lead in the 2022 queer film, Three Months. Clearly, he’s juggling more than just pop hits.
Lil Nas, on the other hand, is genre-hopping all over the place—R&B, hip-hop, country—you name it, he’s doing it. Thanks to TikTok magic, Old Town Road blew up in 2018, and by 2019 it was the No. 1 song of the year. And he didn’t slow down—Montero (Call Me by Your Name) and Industry Baby came next, cementing him as a Billboard regular. Unlike Troye, Lil Nas is laser-focused on his music, and it’s paying off big time! Every song he drops practically guarantees another hit.
Their Marketing Strategies
X knows exactly how to keep the spotlight on him. From meme culture to shock value, he’s got the playbook down. Remember that wild “J Christ” stunt? He’s all about bold moves and in-your-face marketing, rocking those iconic pink outfits that people instantly link to him. It’s no surprise he’s become such a mainstream powerhouse—he knows exactly how to play the game, and he plays it well.
Sivan, though, is way more low-key. He’s not out here chasing viral moments or wearing out-of-this-world outfits. He sticks to crafting heartfelt, personal music for the community.
Their Spotify Monthly Listeners Numbers are Almost Identical
Right now, Troye has 23.2M monthly listeners on Spotify, with Montero slightly ahead at 23.9M. While the numbers are close, there’s no denying Nas has more mainstream hits and is constantly in the spotlight.
Troye, on the other hand, is well-known but hasn’t quite made that huge global splash yet. Let’s face it—if one of his songs went viral on TikTok, it could be the game-changer he needs to push him to the next level.
