By Harrison O'Dair
Photography By Pepe Von AueMuch like his self professed idol
Madonna, Dustyn Blue-Conners is also a master of reinvention and a physical representation of pop culture's biggest moments across the zeitgeist. From front page party boy tabloid darling, to the internet's favourite cat-cuddling idyllic house husband. Cutesy blue-eyed teen heartthrob, to hunky muscular sex symbol. You can align microcosms of culture over the last 15 years in conjunction with how the star has branded himself. While it may not be an obvious observation to some, Dustyn also finds himself at the epicentre and as the ever-expanding root of Weekend. The global phenomenon and best-selling group of our generation also concurrently matures, shifts and broadens alongside the growth of its youngest member. As Dustyn pushes his penmanship, the acclaim racks up. As he physically matures, the "boy" in "boyband" has also tailed off in publications.
Blue-Conners is now ready to take his next big transformative step as hefty terms such as "serious actor" and "media mogul" are in his line of sight. Launching his own entertainment company
"HomeGrown", starring in BBC's upcoming, hotly anticipated comedy drama
"Sugarless" and with his milestone 30th birthday on the horizon, Dustyn is a far cry from the troubled teenage idol the world took under its collective wing when signs of his violent relationships and substance abuse spilled across the newspapers. Once on a direct path to becoming yet another cautionary tale to those who wish to become famous, Dustyn has majorly pivoted, rewriting his story as one of success for the ages. Taking his "adulting" seriously, Dustyn is ready to say goodbye to the iconic yet tumultuous years of his teens and twenties as he ushers in a brand new chapter.
I sat down with everyone's favourite Irishman as he took a break from principal photography to talk all things
Sugarless, sex scenes, showbiz and...er...soup. Spoiler Alert: he doesn't like it.
You're currently in the midst of filming for "Sugarless" as we speak. It has been hotly anticipated ever since its announcement due to many of the names attached to the project as well as the allegedly raunchy premise. What can you tell us about the show and the character that you play?"Gosh, let me think about what I can say without giving too much away and getting into trouble. I've never been the best at that, haha! Well, it's a comedy drama. I think it's a very, very funny show but there are really great storylines at its core. I play Theo Belfield who is an ageing sugar baby. He's fast approaching 30, has always taken the easy route in life and the show literally starts off with him being kicked out by his sugar daddy in Italy and sent packing back to Sheffield. I don't want to reveal too much but it chronicles him getting back onto his feet, trying to regain money and status by hook or by crook and perhaps facing the reality that he can't get away with the things he used to at 18. He's a grown man now. Time to look himself in the mirror. Up front he's very shallow and actually quite mean-spirited as a character but as we follow his story, we see the layers shed."
With the character approaching 30 and facing uncertainty in a new chapter of his life, there appears to be a parallel between yourself and Theo. Was that what attracted you to the role?"Thankfully you didn't compare me
too much to an ageing, desperate sugar baby, haha! The age thing was definitely a factor for sure. First of all, the age range just fit me like a glove. I wouldn't have to age up or down for the part. Secondly, I really did relate to the whole "life transition" aspect of it all but in a different way. I've always embraced change and growing older. I think life becomes more beautiful and you learn so much as you grow. Where I'm anticipating the next decade with excitement, Theo is filled with dread and viewing it as a negative thing. Thought it'd be a great and curious thing to play out."
"I was also toying with the idea of getting back into acting but had never verbalised it outside of a small group of close friends. My agent then contacted me out of the blue and said that a script had been sent my way for consideration. It was for
Sugarless. I read it and instantly fell in love. It was a sign. Everything clicked into place. I had to push for this role."
You mentioned that you had acted in the past, your first role being the male lead in a short-lived Sci-Fi television show called "Echo". Many rumours surfaced over the years regarding its cancellation, the biggest one being your misuse of recreational substances. Do you see this TV comeback as a redemption arc of sorts?"Not really, no. I don't like the phrase "redemption arc". As someone who grew up Catholic and has spent half my life under media scrutiny, that sort of brings up the suggestion that I was "wrong" and "bad". That I needed to be punished. We all make mistakes and I was 16 at the time. 16 years old. A child. There were many factors that played a part in why that show never took off as intended. Speaking for myself, I believe I was extremely professional. I think for someone my age, with the struggles I was enduring and the schedule I was juggling, I gave it my absolute best shot. Things just don't work out sometimes."
"I would call this era one of "reclamation" rather than "redemption". While I didn't write this script, I'm incredibly hands on with the project. So much so that I've founded my own entertainment company to back it;
"HomeGrown". We're serving as the production company behind it. I'm definitely in the driver seat and that allows me to be more focused, more dedicated. Also eradicates or at least minimises the potential of outside noise and too many cooks interfering. Everyone involved not only wants this to be a success but for it to be enjoyed."
With Billy launching an incredibly successful solo career and Riley recently dipping his toe into music outside of Weekend, your band mates and best friends are evidently spreading their wings and leaping from launchpads of their own. Is acting going to be the main focus for Dustyn Blue-Conners these days?"It's definitely something that I'm taking seriously for sure. I will never hang up my microphone, though. I love all things showbiz! Singing, acting, dancing, writing, producing, all the jazz. Anything and everything creative, I'm all over. It's my outlet. It's my joy. While I don't think a solo album is on the cards any time soon, it's ludicrous to think I'd ever turn my back on music. It's my first love and biggest passion. I'm just busy with the show, my company and a few other little projects on the horizon right now. We're also in the midst of a Weekend album cycle as well so there's plenty of content to tide myself and fans over!"
You've brought up your new entertainment company, "HomeGrown". Can you tell me a little bit more about it and the thought process behind its conception?"So, "HomeGrown" is an entertainment company that I started in the spring. It was co-founded by the Pesky Group and run by myself, my husband Dallas and my brother Patrick. It has different divisions such as a record label, book publishing, music publishing, a film production company and a TV production company.
Sugarless is going to be the first project released under it and I'm so excited to expand on that. The whole idea behind the vision and concept behind "HomeGrown" is that I wanted to create a space that felt like home for all the creatives who sign. A safe space. I know that a lot of the aesthetics and connotations associated with me are things like; rural Ireland, tiny cosy villages, that home-grown typical singer-songwriter silhouette of a young local lad brandishing a guitar. I wanted to tap into that and make it a reality. A place that puts talents and dreams first. No matter how obscure or farfetched an idea is, I want people under HomeGrown to feel nurtured and supported. Go pursue your dreams and we'll support you all the way. It's like we're proud parents in the front row. That's our ethos."
Rebranding as a legitimate actor and a businessman, as well as churning out eye-catching looks that are very GQ approved throughout 2025, it's safe to say your image has had a gradual overhaul over the years. With its adult content, do you think that "Sugarless" will be the final nail in the coffin for those who still think of you as the boy-next-door? "Yes but I don't see that as a bad thing, haha! I haven't been the skinny little blonde thing for many, many years now. That image of me has been plastered across a plethora of media and merchandise that I do think it's engrained into many minds. I'm not a kid anymore. To be honest, I'm not worrying about "ruining childhoods" or whatever. People know the premise of the show, they'll soon see all the marketing. They know what they're getting into. I'm well aware people are going to
purposely tune in to watch certain scenes, haha! The biggest irony is that I'm much more mellow in comparison to the old image they try to "protect". I was wilder back then than I am now!"
With your 30th birthday coming up in December, how important is it for you to be viewed as a "man" by the public as opposed to the baby faced version of you adorned across millions of bedroom posters once upon a time?"It's not the be all and end all but yeah, there's an importance there. Not even so much as being seen as a "man" - it's not really about gender or masculinity. It's more so about being seen as an adult. A lot of people who enter the industry at a young age are often preserved in amber. Whether that's by fans, their team, the media...there's a weird Peter Pan thing that goes on with a lot of child and teen acts. They're not allowed to grow up. They're judged more harshly for their mistakes or simply for doing things that every legal, consenting adult does. It can be quite the burden. Thankfully, I think I'm doing well in shifting from that. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love and appreciate the
"protect Dustyn at all costs!" posts that I see but I'm a big boy."
Being in a happy marriage and one half of such a beloved couple with Dallas for many years, how did it feel filming your first ever sex scenes? It has been known to cause strain and oftentimes the breakup of once solid unions."Haha, well if anything Dallas champions me and lives vicariously!
"What was it like kissing so-and-so?" and all that. I don't need to worry about any sort of jealousy whatsoever. For me, I'm quite a people person and a bit of an extrovert. If I'm ever doing a scene with a co-star, I tend to bond with them really well before shooting anything and there's also chemistry reads even before that. By the time filming comes around, I'm pretty comfortable with the person. We're also professional and know it's just acting. Part of the job."
"Where I got a bit nervous, however, was the first day I got naked on the set and that was because I didn't know the crew very well at that point. Up close and personal with someone I know? Fine. A room full of strangers watching and counting on you not to mess up so they can go home on time? Bit more intimidating. We're all mates and laugh and joke now but that first day? Christ! I vividly remember filming and with the way I was positioned during a shot, I was well aware that this big burly straight sound guy with 7 kids called Alan could see right up my butthole, haha! Jesus. I know that no cameras were on it and even if they were, it wouldn't even be broadcast anyway but I couldn't stop thinking about Alan's P.O.V. The director gave me a note saying that I was to stop clenching. We had to do another take. Fabulous."
With an emphasis on casual sex, what can viewers expect to be unleashed upon their screens? Is there strict censorship or is this the type of show you do not want to watch with your parents?"I mean, I guess it depends on what type of parents you have, haha! There is a lot of nudity but again, I want to reiterate that it's a TV show. It's not porn. It's all simulated stuff and has your usual TV trickery and angles to protect modesty. There's the odd penis now and then but it's usually a 0.5 second glimpse or like an extra in the background. Nothing is going to leap out of your screen and take your eye out, haha! It's bum cheeks galore more than anything. I think I get mine out even from episode one so there's that. Again, I want to drive home the fact that while the raunch plays a big part of it,
Sugarless is a bloody funny and often heartfelt show. There's real grit and human story there. I don't want people to lose sight of the plot just because there's naked people on screen from time to time. Watch it for the nipples, stay for the story."
While you are billed as the lead, a handful of famous faces guest star along the way. Who can we expect to see you sharing the screen with?"OK, I think all of this has been revealed in a press kit so hopefully I don't get my knuckles rapped for this! We've got
Bryan Williams coming into the show. He's a handsome, upcoming talent who I'm sure has many big things coming his way. He starred in
"How To Humiliate Brittany Nelson" a few years back.
Kyle Tannehill who you might know from
Half-Moon Music appears in the show. He's an incredibly funny guy and we had such a laugh on set. The height difference between the pair of us created a novel full of jokes, haha! We've also got one of my dearest friends
Erich Hess coming in and out of the show throughout the series. That wasn't even work for me. That was just sheer joy. Oh,
Malik Jarvez too! He was the last addition to the cast and the piece that really made the puzzle click together. Lovely, lovely guy."
Were you directly involved with any of the casting on account of your industry connections?"Yeah, for some of the roles I was approached by casting for approvals and suggestions. More so with the special guest stars. I really pushed for Erich in his role. Was a little bit awkward when I came to him with the idea at first as some of the requirements that the role entails are a little "out there", shall we say? Haha! I don't want to give away too much but what I can say is that I couldn't envision anyone doing a better job than Erich as that character and I definitely wouldn't find anyone else I'd be more comfortable with. I also got into contact with Malik's team too. We had a change of casting at the eleventh hour and were scrambling. I wasn't sure if Malik would be interested in joining such a show but you've got to shoot your shot. He was perfect for what the role required so I fired off a message with my fingers crossed and within the same day, he got back to me personally and said he'd love to join. He saved us a lot of stress so I'm very grateful for his involvement."
On the subject of your relationship with Erich, he has taken you under his wing over the years. You and your family now live alongside him and The Hess Clan on The Duke of Winchester, the infamous residential ship. Prior to that, you moved from London to rural Ireland. Are you making a conscious decision to gradually live a more reclusive life?"I wouldn't say I'm searching for a more reclusive life. Peaceful, maybe? Well, as peaceful as it gets living with that lot, haha! I've moved around a bit over the years and it's always because the time or the circumstances feel right. It's what my soul needs. I didn't uproot onto a boat with the intention of giving myself an image overhaul as a pirate or wanting to brand and align myself with the psychobilly crowd. I did it to be around people that I love and trust. I really needed that comfort. My boys, Shea and Koa, also needed some security and community. It can be quite an isolating life being in the public eye and I wanted the boys to actually grow up around people and learn how folk work and interact with each other. Some showbiz kids grow up so detached from reality that it's frightening! Uncanny Valley stuff. I want a sense of heart and home, you know?"
Between finding love with Dallas, declaring your Weekend bandmates as your "brothers" and your close connection with The Hess Clan, you've been one of the biggest advocates and champions of the idea of "chosen family". How important for you is it to fly that flag?"It's something that I take very seriously and bring with me through all walks of life. As a gay man, the idea of a chosen family is a rather hefty, important one in our community. We're often outcast by our families, peers, religions, media, even law! Finding solace, security and love within a group is so important - lifesaving, in many cases. People don't build us up and encourage us to be who we are so we have to do it from within, from the ground up. Same way in that being a known musician with a fanbase echoes sentiments of chosen family. The people who listen to and support your music oftentimes use it as a form of escapism. They might have it really bad at home or in life in general and see me, the boys, other fans as "their people". It's daunting at times to think about the people who put so much of their time and faith in you but at the end of the day, I really love and appreciate it. I always try my best to give back and reciprocate that sentiment of love and support."
"Funnily enough, it's a throughline within
Sugarless. Most of the characters are either rather lonely folk or come from broken and dysfunctional homes. They all sort of mesh together, bonded by the fact that they're trying their best to make the most out of what little they have. When you see the cast, there's a whole array of people with different body types, ethnicities, ages, sexualities but they all club together to make this wonderful little group of dysfunctional beauties."
What else is in the pipeline for Dustyn Blue-Conners? You've hinted earlier that you have other pots and pans secretly on the boil but with music, acting and company founder twice over already on your repertoire, what else is left?"This one may seem out of leftfield at first but to those who know me and when you hear the vision, hopefully it makes a lot of sense. I'd love to open up a pub and restaurant back over in Ireland. Like, a good old traditional pub. Nothing fancy but what it does do, I hope to do it above and beyond. The best local brews, Guinness you'd walk barefoot over broken glass for, the cosiest of interiors and good old traditional Irish homemade meals. Hearty and warming, using the highest quality ingredients. Again, it coincides with the whole
HomeGrown idea. A place you go to take the weight off, be looked after and feel like your mammy just cooked you your favourite meal. If it becomes a reality, I've got a bunch of my own recipes I'd love to put into the place. A lot of classic Irish fare. Someone else can take care of the soups though. It's something I never make. I hate it."
You hate soup? All soups? That seems like a bit of a bold blanket statement!"And one I stand by, haha! Listen, I can eat many things but soup just make me gag. Maybe it's the autism? I know for most of them texture plays a big part. It's liquid but then you get a big lump of something in your mouth and it's...
[- Dustyn dry-heaves at this point and I wonder if I'm about to experience a global icon vomiting on my shoes]. Sorry. But yeah, most of the tastes are weird too. It's like vegetables floating in hot water with a slight salt and pepper taste. Then there's the really thick ones that look like they've already been digested by someone. God, nope! Nope. Nope. Nope. Even smooth, canned and condensed ones still don't sit right with me. I'm drinking a meal? What's up with that?"
To avoid a potentially infamous celebrity vomiting story, I think this is the perfect place to wrap things up. On a lighter note, I want to know what things make Dustyn Blue-Conners smile and ultimately takes your mind off of wanting to throw up?"Haha, what a wonderful pivot, Harrison! Top of the Class for you! Oh gosh, a lot of things make me happy. Just being with Dallas and the boys fills me with so much joy that I can't even put it into words. It's absolutely not for everybody and I'm in no way claiming that you need it to feel complete but for me, personally, I really do get so much fulfilment out of being a husband and father. My cats make me happy, too! Cats in general. I can scroll endlessly watching videos of them on Instagram and TikTok. They're the perfect little creatures. What else? Music, duh! Also, sweet treats! Oooooh yeah. Anybody who knows me is well aware that I'm not above giving someone an elbow to the sternum in order to get the last blueberry muffin. Yum!"
Dustyn, thank you so much for your time. Is there anything you'd like to leave the GQ readers with?"Awww, thank you! It was my pleasure! I think since it's GQ and you lot are very fashion and style oriented, there's only one piece of advice I could part with.
"No wire hangers, ever!" Thank you and goodnight!"
