Sebastian Croft embraces celebrity fame as his music career takes off
Sebastian Croft is adjusting to his newfound Celebrity Traitors fame, experiencing recognition in everyday settings. He recounted an encounter last weekend at a petrol station where multiple people approached him, expressing their admiration. “I was just like, ‘Hi, everyone. I’m gonna go now.’ So it is strange,” he remarked, reports BritPanorama.
The 24-year-old actor and musician, known informally as Bash Croft, has been in the spotlight for years. He began acting in the West End at the age of nine, landed a role in Game of Thrones at 14, and starred in Netflix’s Heartstopper in 2022. Croft noted that while his previous roles catered to specific audiences, Celebrity Traitors has broadened his reach to a more diverse demographic. “This is the first time where I’ve had 50-year-old dads being like, ‘Nice work down that toilet,’” he shared, referring to a memorable scene in the show’s fourth episode where he had to dive into a toilet to retrieve lost jewellery.
While under strict orders from the BBC not to reveal any specifics about his time in the castle, Croft described the experience as both exciting and daunting. He expressed a mix of anxiety and eagerness about showing his authentic self on television. “It was scary because it’s the first time that it’s really me being me, rather than playing a character,” he explained. His time on the show has garnered him a substantial following, now boasting 1.6 million Instagram followers, and he is keenly aware of the memes circulating around his on-screen running style.
Croft is enthusiastic when discussing his music career, particularly his upcoming debut EP, The Great Forever. After a lengthy process of creating and refining his music, he is ready to share his work with the public. He noted that the pivot from acting to music surprised many of his peers: “People were a bit like, ‘What do you mean you’re going to put your music out?’”
Having performed from a young age in Oxford, Croft felt drawn to songwriting as a personal outlet. He has penned songs since he was a child, often viewing them as private reflections. His lyrics often captured his emotions during a challenging time in his life, including his struggle with identity during his school years. “I had a really difficult few years,” he recalled, citing experiences of bullying after being outed during his time at a boarding school. He later found healing through his work on Heartstopper, allowing him to reclaim that difficult period positively.
Recent heartbreak inspired many of the tracks on The Great Forever. Born out of the conclusion of his first significant relationship in 2023, his songs capture the turmoil of moving forward while grappling with emotions. He described the finality of a breakup as a painful awakening: “When they reach the point where ‘I’ve decided my life is more interesting when I don’t have you in it’, that could not hurt more.”
Croft has crafted a sound that mixes modern pop with heartfelt lyrics. He shared insights on his tracks such as “Heartbreak State of Mind,” which contemplates the uncertainty of a past relationship, and “Pretty People,” expressing the mixed emotions of seeing an ex thriving on social media. His latest single, “Good Light,” explores the complications of reconnecting with an ex, while “Tokyo” encapsulates the mixed feelings of love and bitterness.
Since his debut performance last December, Croft has shown ambition for his musical future, expressing dreams of headlining Glastonbury. His resolve to pursue this goal was boosted by watching the journey of artists like Coldplay and Olivia Dean. As he sets his sights high, he affirmed, “I’m going to want to go all the way. So yeah, headline Glastonbury 2032!”
The single ‘Good Light’ is out tomorrow. ‘The Great Forever EP’ is out in November.
