Nikk Mager talks about his career, being a queer artist, and the release of his latest single, Phenomenal.
Your career has taken you from Popstars: The Rivals to Phixx to The Fizz — how has your identity as a gay man shaped the way you’ve navigated the music industry over the years?
I’ve been very lucky to have had quite a diverse career with different opportunities and avenues as a gay man in the industry. I’ve had the chance to explore pop, musical theatre, modelling, and even embrace my inner diva as a drag queen on a couple of occasions. Being a proud LGBTQ+ member has made me strong, brave and less fearful of judgment from others because, as a performer, you have to be free as a bird!
“PHENOMENAL” marks a new chapter for you. What inspired the track, and what does this era of your music represent personally and creatively?
Phenomenal is a song I’m ultimately proud of. It is 80s-inspired, and it’s about a feeling you have within yourself that only comes with experience and time. When you are genuinely happy within yourself, the feeling is genuinely ‘phenomenal’. It’s about reaching your authentic best self, which hasn’t always been an easy path for me to follow.
Looking back at the early 2000s pop landscape, what was it like being a young gay man in a boy band during a time when the industry wasn’t always welcoming of queer artists?
I struggled in the early noughties with my sexuality, as being in the boyband PHIXX at the time, being gay was still slightly taboo, and we already had a gay member in the group. I hid my sexuality during this time by having a girlfriend!
Visibility matters. How important is it for you to be an openly gay performer today, and what do you hope younger queer fans take from your journey?
Any chance I can, as a performer, I will express on stage and in interviews how lucky I am to live authentically, as it has been one of the most difficult transitions to make, from living a lie for so long to being 100% yourself! I want the youth of our community to know everyone’s story is different, but just be true to themselves and surround themselves with supportive people!
You’ve performed everything from heartfelt ballads to high‑energy pop. How has your relationship with your voice — and your confidence — evolved over the years?
I have the utmost respect for my voice now, even more so as there was a time I stopped singing for two and a half years from 2005 to 2008 and I lost it completely and all my confidence too… so I have had to work at it for years and years to get it back to an exceptional level. Use it or lose it. That’s what my singing teacher always drummed into me.
Phixx had a bold, sexy, and often queer‑coded aesthetic. Did you feel empowered by that, or was it challenging to balance authenticity with the expectations of the time?
PHIXX had a very strong image to uphold. When you’re confused about your own sexuality, I did find it difficult to give myself 100 per cent in videos, as I was totally aware I was playing it straight, even though deep down I knew I was gay. Very confusing time for me! I didn’t mind writhing around topless on a morgue slab; it was just very cold filming the “Hold On Me” video. My nipples were like torpedoes lol.
Joining The Fizz brought you into a legacy of iconic British pop. How has that experience influenced your artistry and your sense of community within queer audiences?
The Fizz has brought me a new lease of life. I can go onstage proud of the fact that I am part of music history; they are like Royalty in Eurovision terms. It’s incredible … I can wear what I want and be myself on stage completely and enjoy it more this time round… and it’s so much fun, Fizzing!
You’ve spoken about pivotal moments early in your career, like being surprised by Jane McDonald on Star For a Night. How do those memories feel now, with the perspective you have today?
I have very fond memories of Jane McDonald coming to my school when I was 16 with a camera crew. It was my first taste of TV fame, and it totally distracted me from my GCSE’s, but it gave me a strong sense of what I wanted to do with my life from an early age. That shaped my destiny.
Queer audiences have always embraced pop stars with big vocals and big stories. What do you think it is about your journey that resonates most with LGBTQ+ fans?
I think my personal journey has always been about persistence, determination, and never giving up at all costs. That mentality has carved out all the great things I have managed to achieve in my career. I strive for excellence; it’s pretty obvious that I just love singing and performing and being able to share my story with others along the way. If I can do it, so can you.
As you release “PHENOMENAL”, what’s the message you want to send to queer listeners who’ve followed you from the beginning — and those discovering you for the first time?
My ultimate message to the Queer community is to focus on yourself and what you want to do. Strive to be better than you were yesterday. It’s ok to make mistakes; it’s how we learn. And as I always say, “Never Give Up”. Never take no for an answer and believe in yourself… treat others how you wish to be treated yourself.
“Phenomenal” is released on January 30th and is available from all good download platforms.
