Heartstopper’s William Gao stars in new music video from Past Lives director
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In a stunning new music video for the song “Goddess” by Grammy Award-winning artist Laufey, Heartstopper favorite William Gao takes on the role of an absent lover, showcasing his acting skills alongside the talented Laufey. Directed by celebrated South Korean director Celine Song, the video tells the story of a woman, played by Laufey, who feels neglected by her partner as the distance between them grows.
The lyrics of the song reveal that Gao’s character is infatuated with the glamorous Aphrodite that Laufey portrays on stage, but lacks interest in her as a person when they are alone. Gao effortlessly embodies the role of the aloof lover, with one scene showing a moment of intimacy that only serves to highlight the growing disconnect between the two characters.
Despite his captivating performance in the music video, Gao is best known for his role as Tao Xu in the popular queer drama Heartstopper. Fans of the series can look forward to seeing Gao reprise his role in season three, set to premiere in October. However, Laufey revealed in an interview with Variety that she first connected with Gao through his musical endeavors rather than his acting on the Netflix show.
Gao and his sister, Olivia Hardy, are members of a band called Wasia Project. Laufey shared that she discovered their music on Spotify and reached out to them, eventually forming a friendship based on their shared experiences as individuals of mixed Asian descent. Laufey emphasized the importance of finding someone with a similar background when selecting Gao for the music video.
The five-minute film, directed by Celine Song, marks her first foray into directing a music video. Song, known for her work on the acclaimed film Past Lives, brings her unique storytelling style to “Goddess,” enhancing the emotional depth of the song. The video serves as a visual representation of the themes of love and distance explored in the lyrics.
“Goddess” is the first single from the deluxe version of Laufey’s album Bewitched, which recently won the Grammy award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. The music video has garnered praise from fans online, with many describing it as jaw-dropping and haunting. One viewer even shared that they were moved to tears while watching it.
As Laufey and Gao’s collaboration continues to resonate with audiences, their shared background and mutual respect for each other’s talents shine through in both the music video and their personal connection. With Gao set to return to the screen in Heartstopper season three and Wasia Project supporting Laufey on an upcoming tour, their creative partnership is sure to captivate fans across various mediums.
Overall, the collaboration between Laufey, William Gao, and Celine Song in the “Goddess” music video showcases a blend of talent, storytelling, and emotional depth that resonates with audiences on a profound level. As fans eagerly await more projects from these talented individuals, it’s clear that their combined efforts have created something truly special in the world of music and visual storytelling.
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