INTERVIEW
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Will Macnab | 30/09/2024
Wes Nelson’s rise to fame might have started on reality TV, but today, it’s his presence in the UK music scene that’s making the biggest waves. First introduced to audiences on hit ITV2 reality show Love Island, at just twenty, his charm and down-to-earth personality made him an instant fan favourite, taking him all the way to the final alongside Megan Barton-Hanson. From these beginnings to collaborating with music legends like Craig David and Clean Bandit, Wes is proving he’s more than just a familiar face from the small screen. He’s an artist with ambition, talent, and the drive to break through the often-limiting perceptions that come with a background in reality TV.
After gaining attention on Love Island, Wes appeared in several high-profile TV shows, including Dancing on Ice and The X Factor: Celebrity. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that he made his most significant leap into music, signing a solo record deal with EMI Records. “People often assume I went on Love Island to pursue music,” Wes says. “But at nineteen, I was just asked to do the show. Music was always in the background—I played keys, but I didn’t have the confidence back then.” His rise in music wasn’t planned from the start, but rather a result of pursuing a passion he had always quietly nurtured.
When I ask about his plans for the upcoming bank holiday, Wes surprises me. Instead of glamorous events or star-studded gatherings, he’s spending it at home, unwinding. But the reason behind his quiet holiday reveals that music, more than ever, is at the forefront of his mind. “I think I made the greatest song of all time yesterday,” Wes says with a laugh, but there’s no mistaking the excitement in his voice. Since signing with EMI in 2020, Wes has been honing his sound, collaborating with other artists, and experimenting with new styles. His debut single “See Nobody,” featuring Hardy Caprio, was an instant hit, charting at number three on the UK Singles Chart. He’s since released several tracks, each one helping to further establish his voice. But there’s something about this latest track that feels different to him.
“It feels really fucking good,” he admits, “to the point where everyone has cancelled their respective sessions today to get it all finished. It’s my idea of fun anyway, so it’s not a big deal.” Wes is all-in on his music, and this relentless work ethic is what’s fuelling his journey. He speaks with the kind of confidence that can only come from knowing he’s onto something special, and it’s this belief in his craft that continues to push him forward. “I could be walking down the street, and I think, ‘Oh, a melody.’ I have an idea. And you just have to act on it.”
Wes is candid about the journey of finding his artistic voice. “I love learning new things, and music is an endless pit of possibilities,” he explains. “It’s perfect for an ADHD brain—I can try different things and explore new directions.” His boundless curiosity has driven him to experiment with various genres, from dance-garage fusions with Craig David on “Abracadabra” to DMB-inspired tracks like “Barcelona.” For Wes, it’s all about finding his true sound and identity as an artist. “I feel I am still early on in my career in terms of where I want to go direction-wise. And I have done so many different genres. Now, it is like I can turn around to a buffet and pick up a different cuisine every time. But we are starting to dial in on who I am as an artist and the direction I want to take,” he says thoughtfully. “These are exciting times, and it is a time of discovery, without sounding too spiritual.”
This year has marked a significant period of growth for Wes. Reflecting on the music he’s released, he admits, “It feels great to finally be consistent. I went through a period where it was difficult to release music regularly, but now I’m in a better place.”
One of the key turning points in Wes’s musical journey has been his collaborations with established industry names. Working alongside artists like Craig David and Clean Bandit, Wes has gained invaluable insights—not just about music but about longevity in the industry. “With Craig, it’s especially special because I’ve been compared to him from the start. People have said, ‘Could you follow the path of Craig?’ When that collaboration came around, I thought, ‘I’d love to follow Craig’s path.’ He’s had an incredible career.” For Wes, Craig David is not only a musical inspiration but also a role model in how to carry oneself in an industry that’s known for its fast-paced, often gruelling nature.
Watching how Craig balances his professional and personal life has left a lasting impression on Wes. “He’s such a nice person. He’s always polite. He works hard. He knows when to leave. That is one of the main things I have learnt. Craig is the best exit man. He has the best vanishing act at any social event you have ever seen in your life. So, when his show is done, when work is over, he is not there to wreck his voice and chatty patty after. He’s gone. Resting. His voice stays perfect for the next day. He can get up and record. It’s an Achilles heel for me. I am on such a high after the show and want to talk to everyone. There is so much self-care that you have to do because it is your instrument. It’s like not wearing the right studs for a pitch when you are playing football.”
Wes’s commitment to his craft has come with personal changes too, including a recent focus on taking a break from alcohol. “I’m nearly a month sober now. First time since I was seventeen,” he reveals. Taking a break has brought a new sense of clarity to Wes’s life, allowing him to focus more on his music and mental health. “In my world, there’s always another event or reason to drink. But taking a step back, you realise you don’t need it. Yes, there’s FOMO, but the next day, when you wake up fresh, you’re always grateful.” It’s a mature and insightful approach to a lifestyle that many find hard to manage. Wes is candid about the pressures that come with being in the spotlight, and it’s clear it has played a role in helping him navigate these challenges.
Despite his musical success, Wes is acutely aware of the reality TV stigma that follows him. “One of the biggest misconceptions people have had is that I went on the show to do music,” he says. “No, I just got asked when I was nineteen to do Love Island. I always loved music. In the background I was always playing keys, but I never had the confidence.” Quick to set the record straight, his journey into music wasn’t planned from the start—it was something he had always dreamed of but hadn’t yet pursued. He’s no stranger to criticism, but for him, it’s all about staying focused on what he loves. “Listen, there are a hell of a lot more better ways to get into music than going on a TV show where no one will take you seriously. Obviously, having the audience definitely helps, but you have got to be damn sure that your music is real good, otherwise you are going to get slaughtered.”
Reflecting on how he’s managed his mental health amid the whirlwind of fame, Wes shares, “I have always said, circumstances change, but I don’t think I have. We all change as humans. That’s natural, right? But I have kept the things that have always made me happy. My core values have remained my core values.” For Wes, these core values—instilled by his family and nurtured through his close friendships—have been a source of stability. They’ve allowed him to navigate the highs and lows of public life without losing his sense of self. “My work is deeply rooted in my family and the friends that I surround myself with. They have changed over the years, but I have always stayed in touch with the people who have been there for me, who have been crucial parts of my life and kept me grounded.” While fame and opportunities can easily distract or derail someone, Wes has maintained a firm grip on who he is. “It’s tough when there is money involved or when there’s new, exciting opportunities involved. It is so easy to forget the things that make you, you. But I have always been unapologetically me. I am not trying to be someone else in this world.”
Wes’s authenticity is central to how he’s coped with the pressures of fame. He hasn’t tried to adopt a persona or become a version of himself to please others. Instead, his focus on staying true to himself has kept him grounded. “I’m not playing a character. That keeps you, you. And I would like to think I’ve got a good moral compass. As long as I don’t drift away and forget who I am, it’s actually quite easy.”
In an industry that often loves to hate, Wes’s unapologetic focus on doing what he loves is a refreshing reminder that, at the end of the day, the only opinion that truly matters is your own. And with the music he’s creating, Wes is proving that following your passion is the only way to truly succeed.
Photography Chloe Maylor
Fashion Director & Styling Chloe Oldridge
Grooming Rebecca Robinson
Creative Alice Gee & Chloe Maylor
Styling Assistant Amelia Connolly
Look one, Jacket, Shorts, Scarf, Joe.Brim. Shoes, Timberland.
Look two, Jacket and trousers, Silpa. Jewellery includes, Cernucci.
Look three, Jacket and trousers, Sofia Rukina.
Look Four, Jacket and Jeans, Silpa. Jewellery includes, Cernucci.
