Exploring Masculinity and Identity in Troye Sivan's "One of Your Girls" - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

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What happens when you combine a catchy synth-pop song, captivating visuals, and thought-provoking storytelling? You get Troye Sivan’s music video for “One of Your Girls,” a powerful exploration of masculinity, sexuality, and self-expression. As a final year History of Art student, I couldn’t help but analyze the themes presented in this video and their significance in contemporary visual culture.

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An Icon Returns

After a long hiatus, Troye Sivan has made a triumphant return with his highly anticipated album, “Something to Give Each Other.” The title track, “One of Your Girls,” stands out as a remarkable production that creatively delves into Sivan’s queer experience. As a student studying Contemporary Art and Masculinity, I was immediately drawn to the way Sivan examines the complexities of masculine performance and identity within the surrounding visual culture.

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Unveiling Superficial Connections

In the song, Sivan reflects on his experiences with men who identify as straight but are open to intimate “experimentation.” While he found these encounters alluring, they often left him feeling empty. The lyrics express the superficial nature of these relationships, where physical attraction takes precedence but lacks meaningful connection. Sivan also reflects on the lingering high school internalized homophobia that may have contributed to this fantasy of being desired by straight men – a group he once avoided.

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Visual Symbolism and Narratives

The music video begins with a greyscale, close-up shot of a shirtless male figure, later revealed as actor Ross Lynch. Lynch embodies an archetypal male presence and sexuality, exuding dominance and occupying space. Throughout the video, various men of different skin tones, ages, and body shapes are rhythmically presented, showcasing the diverse manifestations of masculinity. Their expressions and actions create an intimate and flirtatious exchange with the audience.

Commodification of Desire

The stripped-back aesthetic of the music video, set against a plain white backdrop, harkens back to ’90s fashion photography, particularly reminiscent of the work of Herb Ritts. Ritts introduced a homoerotic gaze to the industry, blurring the lines between art and commercial photography. Sivan’s video, similar to Ritts’ iconic images, explores desire as a commodifiable product. The lyrics of the song further emphasize this theme, highlighting pop culture’s subscription to meticulously performed masculinity.

Embracing Duality through Drag

As the video progresses, clips of a feminine figure getting ready are periodically inserted. Eventually, it is revealed that Sivan himself is in drag, embracing the persona of “one of your girls.” He draws inspiration from early 2000s pop stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, who were symbols of desire for men and objects of fascination for the queer community. Through this transformation, Sivan showcases the fluidity of gender and challenges the binary construct.

Vulnerability and Empowerment

Towards the end of the video, the persona is dropped, and Sivan looks directly into the camera with red-teary eyes and disheveled hair. This raw vulnerability contrasts with the confident and empowered image he portrayed throughout the video. The change in lyrics, from seeking connection to offering himself as a last resort, reflects the unfortunate reality faced by many individuals in the queer community. Sivan’s portrayal of vulnerability and resilience is both poignant and relatable.

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Embracing Celebration and Connection

The overall message conveyed by Sivan’s album is the universal need for connection and celebration. In the cover art, Sivan is seen joyfully smiling between a friend’s legs, symbolizing the joy and pleasure found in human connection. By embracing his own identity and expressing himself authentically, Sivan invites others to let go and enjoy the experiences and pleasures life has to offer.

In conclusion, Troye Sivan’s music video for “One of Your Girls” is a captivating visual exploration of masculinity, sexuality, and self-expression. Through his storytelling and creative expression, Sivan sheds light on the commodification of desire, the fluidity of gender, and the complexities of queer experiences. This empowering message resonates with individuals seeking self-acceptance and encourages the celebration of one’s true self.

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