Conan Gray shines a spotlight on his sexuality with his newest heartbreak album Wishbone.
The pop star released the album on Aug. 15 and dropped music videos depicting an intimate queer summer romance with actor Corey Foglemanis cast as his love interest.
Foglemanis stars in three of the music videos for Gray’s songs: This Song, Vodka Cranberry and Caramel. The two play lovers named Wilson (Gray) and Brando (Foglemanis), who break up and get back together over one summer. Each music video serves as a glimpse into the fictional relationship and their story.
Fans were quick to praise the series of music videos, applauding Gray for his artistic direction and melancholic story arc. According to Today, Vodka Cranberry marked Gray’s highest streaming debut in his career.
Gray said in an interview with PEOPLE Wishbone is one of his most personal albums.
“In so many ways, this album is a confrontation and a reminder to myself of who I am and where I grew up and the dreams that I had when I was a kid,” he says. “Just the person I’ve always been.”
The 26-year-old revealed his choice to cast Foglemanis was crucial to the music videos.
“I knew I couldn’t do it with a stranger, and Corey was right there in my contacts list. I called him up, I said, ‘Hey, Corey. Can we fall in love in a music video?” he said. “I truly don’t think I could have done it if it wasn’t for [him].”
Gray emphasized to Capital Buzz how his friendship with Foglemanis made him feel more comfortable showing romance.
“I didn’t watch Girl Meets World. I just met him through a bunch of friends. I think, I mean, I’ve known him for almost a decade now. We’ve been friends for eight years, and he’s just one of the most important people in my life,” he continued. “I had to be with someone who I felt like I could look really stupid in front of and be really embarrassed in front of and feel like it’s gonna be okay.”
Gray expressed further his admiration for Foglemanis.
“Corey is the kind of person who truly is never judging anyone, ever. So he was the first and the only person. It had to be him.”
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