Alex Boyé is a multicultural artist of Nigerian descent who was raised in London and now lives in the Unites States. His blend of African-infused pop music and dynamic visuals have garnered almost 1 Billion views on his YouTube channel. He has shared the stage with notable artists such as Jay-Z, Tim McGraw, George Michael, The Beach Boys, Missy Elliott and Justin Timberlake.
Boye was recently appointed Utah Ambassador for Refugees. He has received the Hollywood in Music Award presented by the Hollywood Music Association and the Didi Hirsch Humanitarian Award for his work in suicide prevention.
As a mental health ambassador, he has used his music to fundraise for many causes. His latest single, “Bend Not Break,” has been featured in promotional campaigns by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Boye’s story demonstrates that people can change and that there is hope in darkness. “At the age of 16, I was broke, homeless and broken. I wondered where my life was going, but I resolved to change my life after hearing a song at a nightclub that felt like 10 years of therapy in three minutes. I was suicidal at the time, but the song changed the trajectory of my life and gave me hope. My goal since then has been to spread messages of hope and light through the power of music – especially to those struggling with mental illness.”
Swift Idol is Boye’s most recent in a long list of competitive performance experiences. “I LOVE watching other artists put their heart on the line and be vulnerable. I have been there, and I know what it feels like to be judged on stage. I have participated in America’s Got Talent and X-Factor in England, so I also feel I am pretty qualified to be a judge.”
“The first year I performed on America’s Got Talent, I was told no by all the judges and I was booed on stage by the public. It was brutal. I hurt so badly that my confidence was shaken, and I never wanted to perform again. But 4 years later, I found the courage to perform, and I went back on the show and got a standing ovation from all the judges.”
Boye encourages budding performers to demonstrate high professionalism and passion for performing. “Whether there are 10, or 10,000 people in the audience, I give everything I have to give on stage. If you want to be a performer, you need to start performing in front of people right away to build confidence, as that is the best way to hone your craft.”
Boye’s professional credentials and inspiring life story make him a perfect source for encouragement and insight for young performers. “Never give up on YOU. You are your greatest asset!! If you really want to do this, you must have a strong belief in your ability – even if nobody else does.”
