‘Rocketman’ star Taron Egerton covers Attitude’s June issue
The Welsh actor talks singing, stardom and sexuality as he takes on the biggest role of his career so far.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
The June issue of Attitude is officially here – and Taron Egerton is ready to help us launch us into summer with his first LGBTQ media interview since landing the biggest role of his career to date in Elton John musical biopic Rocketman.
As Taron poses for an exclusive shoot with photographer Damon Baker for our brand new issue – available to download and to order globally now – the 29-year-old Welsh actor reveals the advice Elton gave him ahead of filming, teases his all-important love scenes with Bodyguard star Richard Madden, and explains why he wants Rocketman to be a project the LGBTQ community can finally feel “ownership” of.
“It’s not an impersonation [of Elton], it’s my take on him, and in some respects I have some anxieties that people might not accept the performance because I do all the singing, they haven’t used Elton’s vocal,” Taron says.
Taron Egerton, shot by Damon Baker at ABD Agency exclusively for Attitude’s June issue
“Of course, I have tried in some ways to emulate him but a lot of it sounds like me. I hope that is exciting and interesting for people, and they aren’t left wishing they could just hear Elton!”
The Kingsman star adds: “[Elton] said: ‘stop trying to sound like me’. He wanted me to create my own take on it, which is nice because it’s sort of freeing.
Photography: Damon Baker
“I don’t think he was interested in hearing someone do an impression of him, he wanted to hear things recreated.”
Also in the June issue of Attitude, Tales of the City star Laura Linney takes us on a UK exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Netflix revivial of Armistead Maupin’s beloved series, while Maxim Baldry tells us about his role as Russell Tovey’s lover in Russell T Davies’ new dystopian BBC drama Years and Years.
Meanwhile, as battles over LGBTQ-inclusive education continue to be waged in the media, we speak to queer Muslims and leading educators about what’s next for schools like Parkfield, and meet the queer people who’ve swapped institutionalised religion for more inclusive forms of spirituality.
Elswere, queer British punk band Queen Zee and trans lead singer Zena Davine reveal how they’re shaking up the music industry, and Israeli Eurovision champ Netta talks gay freedom as the annual singing extravaganze prepares to land in Tel Aviv.
Queen Zee’s Zena Davine, shot by Alex Hurst
Personal trainer to the stars Jack Hanrahan is also on hand to help us work up a sweat in Active, while classical painist Emmanuel Vass strips off in honour of his latest record The Naked Pianist.
Also this month, the RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Ben DeLa Creme is our Big in a Wig, while writer, producer and drag queen Greg Scarnici shares some valuable life lessons.
Jack Hanrahan, shot by Joseph Sinclair
That’s alongside all your usual news, reviews, fashion and travel, of course…
The June issue of Attitude is out now.
Buy now and take advantage of our best-ever subscription offers: three issues for £3 in print, 13 issues for £19.99 to download to any device.
