If I had to describe Alex Warren’s music to someone unfamiliar with his work, I’d say it feels like opening a diary and stumbling upon a deeply personal, painfully honest entry. That raw intimacy is exactly what draws listeners to the 25-year-old American singer-songwriter, whose blend of heartfelt storytelling and pop sensibility has earned him millions of fans worldwide. Once known primarily for his digital presence, Alex has steadily reinvented himself as a musician, crafting soaring pop ballads that explore grief, resilience, and the quiet hope of starting over—all drawn from his own lived experiences.
Having lost his father to kidney cancer at just nine years old, Alex faced another heartbreak at 18 when his mother, who struggled with alcoholism, kicked him out of their home. After years of instability, including periods of couch surfing, living in a car with his now-wife Kouvr Annon, and leaning on close friends to get by, he went on to co-found The Hype House, the Los Angeles-based TikTok collective that would catapult him into the digital spotlight. In a few short years, Alex went from sleeping in a car to filming prank-style, first-person content inside a sprawling Spanish-style mansion in Southern California. By 2022, he had amassed more than 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube and even appeared on the Netflix reality series centered on the group. But even at the height of his influencer fame, Alex knew he wanted more than a YouTube subscription count.
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Putting pen to paper, Alex independently released his debut single, “One More I Love You,” in June 2021—a song he had begun writing at 13, inspired by the loss of his father. The heartfelt ballad caught the attention of Atlantic Records, leading to a record deal in 2022 and his departure from The Hype House that same year. From there, Alex began building his discography with a string of emotionally charged tracks that climbed the Billboard charts. But it was “Ordinary,” a breakout hit that took over social media and streaming platforms earlier this year, that propelled him from rising artist to pop phenomenon.
The song shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated charts in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It ultimately becoming the longest-running No. 1 single on the UK Singles Chart of the 2020s and the longest uninterrupted No. 1 by an American male artist in the chart’s history. Cementing its cultural moment, Alex also performed the track during the season eight finale of Love Is Blind, further amplifying its global reach.
Today, Alex Warren is undeniably one to watch. In just one whirlwind year, he’s wrapped up a sold-out international tour, released his debut album You’ll Be Alright, Kid—featuring collaborations with Jelly Roll and Rosé—and clinched Best New Artist at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Here, ELLE Singapore sits down with the breakout star to talk about the album, his approach to songwriting, and the most difficult memories to put into words.
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Congratulations on the release of You'll Be Alright, Kid! What was the inspiration behind the album, and what was the recording process like?
“I’d always get asked, ‘What would you tell your younger self?’, and this album became my answer to that question. This project is every part of me, the good and the bad. I write all my songs with the same people, who also happen to be my best friends. They’re more like family than anything else. So writing and recording the album was therapeutic for me. I also loved every moment of working with Jelly Roll, Rosé, and all the other incredible artists on it.
Honestly, the album came together so organically. Seeing it out in the world has been absolutely surreal. This project means everything to me, and hearing the response from fans has been so special—not just for me, but for everyone who poured their hearts into it.”
What was your favourite track to write and why?
They were all super fun. However, I think "Eternity" was one of the most meaningful to write.
Your songs draw heavily from real experiences and relationships. What kind of memories or truths were hardest to write about, but felt necessary to share?
“Writing music is my form of therapy. I have a book where I’ve written down all the ‘bad’ things that have ever happened to me, and whenever it’s time to work on a new song or album, I crack that book open. Anything about my parents’ passing is always the hardest to revisit. But creating songs about grief and loss is also rewarding because it gives other people the words to describe what they might be feeling too.”
Tell us the story behind “Ordinary” and what it was like for you to see the immense response to it.
“I wanted to write a song about the relationship between my wife and me—something real and honest. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and the song needed to reflect that. I feel so blessed that the world loves it as much as I love her. I’m really happy that a song about her has received this much response.”
How does it feel to have been nominated for a VMA?
“I didn’t believe it at first. I honestly thought someone was pranking me, but it’s been a dream come true. I grew up watching the VMAs, so just being able to perform there, let alone be nominated, has been completely mind-blowing.”
What advice would you give to your younger self, and what would you like to tell your future self?
"To my younger self, I would say: 'You'll be alright, kid.' Cliche, maybe, but it is an honest answer. As for my future self, please tell me I look like Noah Beck by now."
You'll Be Alright, Kid is out on all streaming platforms now.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.