Q&A with Vardaan Arora

Vardaan Arora is an Indian recording artist, songwriter, and actor based in New York. He is an advocate for LGBTQ rights as well as mental health issues like OCD. In August of 2020, he released his debut EP, Heartbreak On The Dance Floor. Arora told Billboard, "I think I went into this industry pretty blindly, and because of that, I was still figuring out who I was as an artist for those four years...I'm aiming to make a big impact — I want to make a statement with this."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What do you love about your platform?

I think every artist hopes to achieve change through their platform. For me, I just love the idea of uplifting people. It doesn’t have to be a monumental influence each time - there’s beauty in the little things. Maybe one of my songs helps get you out of a shitty mood on a shitty day, maybe my lyrics make you feel less alone, maybe seeing someone like me trying to do what I love inspires you when you need it. No matter the size or magnitude of influence, it warms my heart to be able to connect with others.

Who is your favorite LGBTQ+ figure right now?

I should preface this answer by saying that I’m terrible at picking favorites, it kind of throws me into a panic. But I’ve always said that my ‘career goals’ inspiration is Janelle Monae. She’s a Black LGBTQ+ artist who kills it at everything she does - music, movies, television, social activism. A true icon and trailblazer.

Who is your all time inspiration when it comes to your artistry?

I think the sounds and themes I’m inspired by are ever evolving and ever changing. We’re all just constantly feeding off of each other’s creative energies and writing from a place of honesty as we begin to get a better sense of who we are. But, a lot of the bigger pop acts I’m inspired by probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Britney Spears. So let’s say Britney. She was big for me during my formative years, and will always be a direct influence. I’m such a huge fan.

What do you want people to understand about you?

That I’m still in the process of understanding myself, and it’s okay if you are too. At times I feel like a ball of contradictions, but instead of trying to ‘figure myself out’ I’m learning to accept that humans are complex creatures who contain multitudes. LGBTQ+ folk are already boxed in by people outside the community, there’s no need to do that to yourself.

What do you hope for the future of the LGBTQ+ music scene?

I think a big problem in the music industry is that LGBTQ+ artists are boxed into one ‘genre’ when that is simply not the case. Your identity is a huge part of your music, yes, but each artist is unique. There is such a large variety of sound across the board in the LGBTQ+ music scene, but outsiders try to generalize it all together instead of appreciating the diversity. This prevents artists from breaking through into the mainstream, and it can also create an unhealthy competitive environment. I hope in the future that each artist is celebrated by the industry and general public for the uniqueness they bring to the table - because there’s enough space on that table for all of us.