We meet with Australian pop star and actor Troye Sivan on the Cannes Croisette to chat about his collaboration with Magnum ice cream and his unending love of Stockholm
In a quiet green room on the beach along the Cannes Croisette, Troye Sivan is talking emphatically about ice cream. “I remember the first time I had good vanilla ice cream,” the Australian pop star and actor tells me. “I think I grew up with not-great vanilla ice cream, and then I had good vanilla ice cream and I was like, ‘Oh, this my favourite flavour’.” I ask if he can recall the setting of this life-altering revelation. “I’m Jewish, so probably at Shabbat dinner,” he says.
Today, however, there isn’t any vanilla in sight. We’ve met on the stretch of beach that has been commandeered by ice cream aficionados Magnum each and every Cannes Film Festival for 11 years running. While the films are premiering just down the street, here there’s a different sort of premiere: the unveiling of Magnum’s new summer flavours. The three flavours are named for three moods: Euphoria (centred on lemon and raspberry), Wonder (heavy on toffee and date) and Chill (a vegan option that’s long on blueberry and crunchy cookie pieces).
Photo: Courtesy of Magnum
Sivan has been invited to create three remixes of his song ‘Honey’ for the occasion – one that captures the vibe of each ice cream. “To achieve a mood and a feeling – that’s the hardest thing. The stars really have to align,” says Sivan. “So it was a fun challenge to achieve these different moods through music.”
Just before our chat, Sivan unveiled the remixes at a listening party populated by a smattering of international press and influencers. Dressed in top-to-toe Prada (save for his white tank top, which he borrowed from stylist Marc Forne), the Australian pop star sat onstage and mouthed the lyrics to each remix. According to Sivan, he and Magnum, a company that holds pleasure at its core, were a natural fit. “I am very driven by pleasure in my life,” says Sivan. “So it just made a lot of sense."
Sivan isn’t the only big name that came out to celebrate Magnum. He was joined on stage by fellow ambassador Iggy Pop, who recently lent his singular speaking voice to some voice over work for the ice cream makers. “He’s just the coolest, obviously,” Sivan says of the punk rock legend. “Beautiful eyes – like, really gorgeous. And very, very warm and lovely.” True to form, Iggy turned up in an unbuttoned black leather vest and no shirt. Later in the evening, at the annual Magnum party, the same stage will find performances from drag queen Nicky Doll and DJ duo Justice.
Photo: Courtesy of Magnum
The moods represented by the ice cream flavours are ones with which Sivan is intimately familiar. In fact, he experienced euphoria just this morning as he opened up the windows of his hotel and gazed out at the water. “It’s just beautiful,” he says. “I FaceTimed my parents and showed them.” Chill, meanwhile, was felt just the previous evening, whilst taking a bath. “I’m in the absolute thick of tour rehearsals right now and building the tour show and I don’t have a bath where I’m staying in London,” he says. “I got here and saw the bath tub and was in it in 20 seconds.”
It’s a bit of a calm before the storm for Sivan, who is about to embark on an ambitious world tour. On June 5th – his birthday, actually – he’ll be performing in Stockholm, a city that holds a special significance for him. “I have a very deep personal relationship with Stockholm – I love it. It’s one of my favourite places.” he says, noting that he’s worked with many Swedish producers, including Max Martin. “I love getting meatballs at Riche. I love going to Backdoor, the gay club.” He even name-drops classic Swedish chocolate Marabou in his song ‘One Of Your Girls’. “Complete transparency – I’ve never tasted it,” he says. “It’s just a shout out to Sweden.”