HRVY has discussed the pressure of meeting fans’ expectations in Saturday’s upcoming semi-final of Strictly Come Dancing.
In an interview with FAULT Magazine, the musician, 21, reflected on breaking a record by receiving a perfect score from the judges in week six as he admitted: ‘It’s crazy!’
The singer confessed that while he’s hopeful about reaching the end of the series with professional partner Janette Manrara, he is also nervous about living up to his impressive track record and sometimes ‘finds it hard to believe in himself’.
‘I find it hard to believe in myself’: HRVY discussed the pressure of meeting fans’ expectations in Saturday’s upcoming semi-final of Strictly in an interview with FAULT Magazine
Alongside an accompanying shoot by photographer Joseph Sinclair, the BBC contestant told Miles Holder of his stint: ‘It’s pretty crazy to think I broke a record.
‘Dancing’s become a huge part of my life, especially now I’ve been on strictly. I do feel like there’s more pressure then there was before now I’ve broken a record, I feel like people may have more of an expectation.
‘But all I can do is my best. I signed up to the show so I could learn and enjoy dance, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.’
The media personality also touched on his experience with self-acceptance as he admitted it’s an ongoing battle.
The world on his shoulders: The musician, 21, confessed that while he’s hopeful about reaching the end of the series, he is also nervous about living up to his impressive track record
‘It’s crazy!’ The singer reflected on breaking a record by receiving a perfect score from the judges in week six with Janette Manrara (pictured)
‘Dancing has become a big part of my life’: The BBC contestant posed up a storm for an accompanying shoot by photographer Joseph Sinclair
HRVY, real name Harvey Leigh Cantwell, explained: ‘I find it really hard to believe in myself sometimes.
‘Even with the millions of followers and billions of streams (which is so epic btw, so crazy to even say that) that I have I still struggle to have self confidence.
‘I love what I do and I want to sing and perform for the rest of my life and I hope the people that support me continue to believe in me the way they do, because without them I really wouldn’t be where I am today.
‘[My personal flaw] is self doubt and overthinking. I mean there’s a lot more but those two are the big ones. I’m learning things about myself and the world everyday, I’m 21 now and I’m starting to see myself and the people around me in a different light.
Showstopper! Last week’s Musicals Week was certainly one to remember for HRVY and dance expert Janette, 37, after they managed to top the leaderboard for the second week running
‘Growing up working and trying to make it as an artist has been difficult. I’ve had many nights of no sleep due to overthinking. I’m constantly doubting myself and my talent, but I think I do because I care so much, which is a good thing I suppose.
‘But flaws and faults are what make us human, and I can’t wait to grow up and learn more about them and hopefully change them.’
For the semi-finals, the social media star and dance expert Janette, 37, will raise the roof with a rendition of the Charleston to Another Day Of Sun by the La La Land Cast, before performing the Rumba to Kylie Minogue and James Corden’s Only You.
Sharing his least favourite dance techniques, the rumoured boyfriend of co-star Maisie Smith added: ‘Ballroom and anything slow scares the hell out of me.
‘I still struggle to have self confidence’: The media personality also touched on his experience with self-acceptance as he admitted it’s an ongoing battle
‘It’s so vulnerable and exposed. With the quicker dances you can hide little mistakes and smile and push your way through.
‘In ballroom you have to be so proper and controlled (everything that I’m not) so I get super nervous to perform those style of dances.’
Aside from his Strictly Come Dancing journey, the Kent native is a thriving artist who boasts millions of followers on both Instagram and TikTok.
On becoming a ‘serious’ performer, the former Friday Download host said: ‘I think the hardest career hurdle so far has been the transition into a serious artist.
‘Ballroom and anything slow scares the hell out of me!’ The rumoured boyfriend of co-star Maisie Smith shared his least favourite dance techniques
Famous in his own right: Aside from his Strictly Come Dancing journey, the Kent native is a thriving artist who boasts millions of followers on both Instagram and TikTok
On becoming a ‘serious’ performer, the former Friday Download host said: ‘I think the hardest career hurdle so far has been the transition into a serious artist’
‘Coming from the internet I was never taken as seriously. I’ve always sang, I grew up singing and I posted covers all the way through my teens.
‘Getting the public to see me not just as a young teen cover singer was the tricky part. Only in the past year I feel like I’ve finally jumped that hurdle. I now have over 1.5 billion combined streams on my original music which is pretty cool to say.
‘My biggest fear is that people stop caring. I get scared that the people that support me and my art will lose interest. I’m so in love with creating music and being creative in general, it makes me so happy and other people too.
‘My fear is that my fans will no longer need my music or even want to listen to it. They are really the only reason I do what I do.’
Exciting times ahead: For the semi-finals, the social media star will raise the roof with a renditions of the Charleston and the Rumba