Blazer, jumper & shoes / Whistles Trousers / Nathan’s own
A boy band breaking up is usually followed by a tidal wave of worldwide teenage sorrow. Worse, when it’s a break – and the promise of potential getting-back-together leaves angsty teens on edge expecting an imminent reunion. The Wanted announced their hiatus in 2014, but, to the marvel and joy of all, Nathan Sykes, the youngest of the five member boy band, has set out solo to bring fans, old and new, an previously unconquered sound of soulful and jazzy pop. Schön! sat down with the talented crooner to discuss working with an eight-piece band, the burden of sixteen-year-old fashion choices and what it really takes to reach those top notes.
“I absolutely love getting on stage and entertaining people,” explains a bubbling Nathan Sykes, fresh out of a shoot for Schön! “That, and having an 8-piece band behind me. It really almost helps, because obviously we share one, same energy.” After announcing a split from the boy band core, Sykes surprised fans with a sound that marked a new chapter in the usual pop-driven, saccharine sweet dulcet tones of The Wanted. “It’s been a really fun crazy process finding my own sound, because obviously when you’re in a band, all five of us put our input in and we end up with a combined sound,” he explains. “I’m actually 20% of the sound. I think for the first time people are getting to hear 100% of me.” That 100% incudes a fully-brass backed soul cum big band jazz sound – with killer vocals and explosive lyrics. “I didn’t know what I’d end up writing or having my music sound like me and so it was quite a process.” Keeping the pop leitmotif was an obvious starting point, as an expert in the field. “I obviously love soul music and I love jazz as well but essentially I’m a massive pop fan. If I suddenly just packed up and left pop music, I would be doing myself a complete disservice.” Still, it’s a far cry from the thematic and sonar building blocks of Walks Like Rihanna or Glad You Came.
Left Blazer & jumper / Whistles Right Shirt & shoes / Christian Lacroix Trousers / Zara
When Sykes released More Than You’ll Ever Know, both his established fan base and listeners new were in awe of his strong voice and ability to hold the stage solo. “I was just testing myself every single time I was in the studio, because I didn’t know if I was capable of doing what I’ve done, on a writing front and on a vocal front as well,” Sykes relates. “I love vocals. Great vocals. I listen to really old stuff, a lot of Motown, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra. I love gospel music as well. I’m a massive Jamie Cullum fan, John Legend, Usher.”
How, then, does fronting a band compare to the inimitable dynamic of a BB? “Obviously, it’s different and all eyes are on you, so if you mess up there’s no one to really hide behind. You can’t really hope that they didn’t see it,” he laughs. “Chances are they were definitely watching you, so obviously there’s more responsibility.” A stellar list of collaborators on the upcoming record has Sykes in awe of the process – a dizzying journey of self-discovery – standing solo whilst discovering his full capacities, performative and vocal: “I wanted to do things I’d never done before and try to hit a few notes that I’d never hit before. Every day I’d be finding something new that I didn’t know I could do, like the note at the end of Kiss Me Quick. It’s like a scream note, all I had of that was that note in my head. I could hear it in the chord.” Dedicated rehearsing and fearlessness combined, and Sykes got the unreachable note in one take – putting him in the small percentage of guys who can actually reach that top ceiling. “Working with icons like Diane Warren and Babyface is just absolutely what dreams are made of, especially on a debut record. They were both very complimentary which was great and so was playing music to Diane.”
Left Shirt / DKNY Trousers / Nathan’s own Right Blazer / Whistles Shirt / Peter Jensen
Kiss Me Quick, the first single to be released from the debut solo record, was born from a chance session where the trivial became material for an explosive anthem. “We were out just outside of London in the country side I was working with LDN Noise and we were just chatting about nonsense,” he tells us. “I just said: ‘I’m really bad at flirting’, honestly.’ So, we wrote a song that can flirt for me. It’s as simple as that.” A fortuitous moment of inspiration, since it ended up being the debut single. A classic, pared-down video with Emil Nava ensued, whose previous collaborators include the likes of Ellie Goulding and Ed Sheeran. The visual reinvention is certainly what has catalyzed Sykes departure from being part-and-parcel of a boy band. “I think is really interesting that a lot of people who weren’t necessarily fans of The Wanted really enjoying this music, because it is a departure from the sound that I was doing with the boys.”
The young Mr. Sykes is certainly reinventing his look, too. In dapper tailoring and Comme des Garçons getup, he’s looking the part. “I think with an evolution of my sound I wanted that to go hand in hand with an evolution of fashion, as well,” is the explanation. “I think I’m at the age where naturally I started developing an interest in fashion, because as a 16 year old from Gloucester who had just got into a boy band, I think I can be forgiven for some of the fashion choices that I made.”
It’s an easy thing to forget that Sykes has been in the industry for a fair few years now – a six year stint means he’s been exposed to the media eye and the trials and tribulations of fame. But for this new chapter, he’s prepared and standing strong. “I think a lot of people forget that I’m 22. Because I think people who do know me from The Wanted kind of think that The Wanted has been around forever and think I’m like 307,” he laughs. While press and fans plan, plot and ponder and The Wanted reunion, Sykes takes a moment to enjoy this new career path. “I’m just on my debut single,” he retorts. “We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, in five or in ten years or however long. But what I can say is that I’m really happy doing this at the moment. I’m really proud of the album I’ve made and I’m very, very excited about the next few years.”
Halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh lies Da Nang, an energetic city and tourist mecca with miles of beautiful beaches. On 29th June, however, something other than sun, sea and sand was drawing in the crowds: something big, loud and very, very green…
Enter Sprite Beach Fest. As part of its summer 2025 campaign ‘Turn Up Refreshment’, Sprite has launched a series of free music festivals on shorelines around the globe. First up was The Philippines, then Vietnam, with further events in Brazil and Mexico potentially in the pipeline.
The idea behind the campaign is that an ice-cold sprite can save your summer, coming to the rescue in the stickiest and most sweltering of situations. “This year, Sprite’s refreshment is not just about the drink,” Global VP Oana Vlad elaborates, “but also experiences that provide ultimate refreshment, celebrating the fusion of music, artists and festivals to help everyone make the most of the summer heat and enjoy every moment.”
In Da Nang, this message was supersized with a towering thermometer, enormous inflatable water slide and giant jets spraying the 90,000-strong audience at surprise intervals. No doubt much of the crowd, which spread from the stage onto the streets, was also there for the acts, which ranged from rising stars from the Vietnamese Rap, Hip Hop and DJ scene, such as HURRYKNG, Low G, JSOL and RHYDER to established headliner Du’o’ng Domic.
“What you see here is very localised,” explains Vlad. “How the festival came to life and the experiences we’ve created were done through local teams that really understand the culture here. Four of the artists are up-and-coming, which is really important to Sprite as a platform for rising subcultures and genres, and then, at the end, a headliner that’s more mass in the pop space. The balance that we always want to strike is being that consistent, iconic, global brand but, at the same time, having those deep roots in the community.”
Mercury rising isn’t the only form of heat the soft drink brand is taking on this summer. “If you look at culture specifically through how it’s evolved on social media, you see spicy food and street food becoming huge in the last few years, through spice challenges and the popularity of spicy noodles, like what we’re having here, but also around the world,” says Vlad. “Almost 50% of Gen Z have at least one spicy meal a week. It’s about the thrill and discovery of new experiences. When you pair the lemon-lime taste and carbonation of Sprite with spicy food, it’s the perfect combination. It’s the perfect complement from a scientific point of view as well,” Vlad continues. “It’s that rising part in culture that our fans – the people we engage with – already love, and it’s the perfect role for our product.”
Cue the ‘Hurts Real Good with Sprite’ campaign, which includes late-night pop-up events (from 1 to 3 am), partnerships with brands like Takis and Buldak Fried Noodles, and the ‘Hot to K-Pop’ content with South Korean artist and brand ambassador Karina of K-POP group aespa.
And, finally, Sprite has teamed up once again with streetwear brand SNIPES, today launching a fresh collaboration with an early 2000s aesthetic. The 14-piece capsule collection features graphic t-shirts, colour-blocked tracksuits, jerseys and denim. Of course, bright green features prominently, but there are also pieces in baby blue, dark purple and a Brazilian-inspired green and yellow colourway.
Find the capsule collection at select SNIPES stores across Europe and online here.
jacket + skirt. Huishan Zhang
jewellery. Lady Grey
For many, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ is more than a movie, it’s a cultural touchstone. It’s a story about belonging, loss, and unconditional love for family, wrapped in the spirit of Hawaii. It is arguably one of the most successful and celebrated Disney animated films of all time, so when the live-action remake was announced, expectations were high. Enter Sydney Agudong, the Kauai-born actor who took on the role of Nani, Lilo’s older sister and guardian, with a depth that’s felt throughout the entirety of the film.
What makes Sydney’s version of Nani so resonant isn’t just her acting chops, but the profound personal connection she brings to the character. Raised in Hawaii, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ was the first film she ever fell in love with. As a toddler, she dressed up as Lilo for a local pageant, unknowingly planting the seed for a full-circle moment later. Her early love for storytelling and performing has followed her from small stages to the big screen, where her performance is now showcasing what sisterhood, love and Ohana look like on and off screen.
Now with the film out in the world and the recent announcement that Lilo & Stitch 2 is currently underway, Sydney’s full-circle moment is resonating far beyond the islands. After the film’s release, Schön! sat down with Sydney to chat about sisterhood, her favourite Disney songs, and her special connection to ‘Lilo and Stitch’.
First of all, congratulations on the massive success ‘Lilo and Stitch’ has been – holding the number one spot for the third week in a row…
It still is?! I actually didn’t know that, that’s so cool!
With filming having wrapped over a year ago, how does it feel to see the success now that it’s been out for a few weeks?
It feels very validating not just for myself and all the creatives – Maia, Dean, and everybody surrounding the project – but it’s also very validating to see so much support in Hawaii specifically. It’s been incredible. Knowing that I believed in Nani in a way that was kind of refreshing, and we were able to go deeper into Nani’s character because it wasn’t just an exact animation to live action. They wanted to take a little more of a spin on it and give way to Nani’s arc and the parenthood aspect of things, she was a caretaker, and I grasped onto that.
Seeing the amount of comments, reviews, and people coming up to me and DMing me and saying, “I don’t think you understand how much this means to me / I felt like I saw myself as a mom.” I’m getting moms coming up to me, and that’s been so huge because my parents have sacrificed so much for me. All of this just makes me feel like everything was worth it, beyond the fact that this is a dream role.
Before we get into Stitch, I want to go back a little bit. What was it like growing up in Hawaii? At what point did you decide you wanted to pursue acting?
The first time I was ever on stage was for a ‘healthy baby contest’ and it was at the Kauai County Fair on a little small island and I was like one and a half years old. I had just watched ‘Lilo and Stitch’ for the first time, so this is just a huge full-circle moment for me – that was the first time I had ever been on stage. I was in love with Lilo and I dressed up as her on stage, and she gave me this confidence.
There’s a picture of me from that night, kind of almost letting go of my mom’s hand, and it was the first time that my mom had ever realized that I wasn’t afraid of being on stage, and I genuinely loved it. I didn’t really realize what was going on, but there was some sort of connection there. Growing up we did pageants like that one and we also did sports during the day, and so there was always some type of stage. I think I was around 8 or 10 years old when I started pursuing acting and theatre, and I brought my sister along with that too.
cardigan. Dodiee
opposite
blazer + shirt. Anteprima
shoes. Dries Van Noten
jewellery. Christina Caruso
Do you remember your first ever audition?
Yeah, I do! I was in a dinner theatre show on Kauai as well, and it was for South Pacific. I was 7 years old when I first auditioned for it, and I think I ended up doing it when I was 8. I was one of the little French daughters. I had to go and figure out French, and I sang a song, and I would do that every Wednesday night. It was my first paid gig, and it was so much fun. I was surrounded by a bunch of people whom I looked up to, and they took me in like a little sister. I remember each night I would go return my mic and then look around at all the tables to see if there were any untouched desserts [laughs].
Oh my gosh, that’s adorable, and in a way kind of reminds me a bit of Lilo!
Oh my gosh, totally. You’re so right!
I read in another interview that Lilo and Stitch was the first film you ever fell in love with– what is your earliest memory of the film?
There are a few, but the one that always comes back to me for some reason is the moment that Lilo is leaving and waiting for Nani, and then Myrtle and her friends come up and make fun of her because they all of their dolls, and Lilo has Scrump and she loves it. She realizes Nani isn’t coming, and the next thing you know, the sequence is Nani running towards and realizes Lilo isn’t at school, and she ends up kicking Cobra Bubbles’ car.
I feel like that was the moment that I realized I really understood Lilo and I understood Lilo and Nani’s relationship then. I think, especially with the Myrtle moment, it was a very big moment for me in school when you get bullied, and feel that the things that you loved aren’t okay. Now I have my own Scrump that my sister made for me [laughs].
Can you talk to me about what you felt the moment you learned you’d be playing Nani in the live-action?
I say this in other interviews, but I can’t come up with any other word other than surreal, and eternally grateful. It’s one of those things where you count your blessings. It’s such a full circle moment for me because I wanted to quit acting right before, and I got this audition in November of 2022, which is around my birthday. I was in a low place at the time and feeling lost. I had just gotten so many rejections, and then this came along and I just laughed, because I thought there was no way. It was just funny, the thought that this would be the audition that I would turn down and quit acting.
It was daunting. It’s such a huge role in a huge beloved movie, and I didn’t want to do it a disservice. I think the only thing that made me turn around and want to pursue the audition was the fact that I had been Lilo, and I understood that. I saw Lilo in my younger sister, and when I read the breakdown for Nani, I connected to it in a way that I couldn’t explain. I realized that she loved the same way that I did, and she wasn’t perfect. She needs things to get done in a certain way, but she does it with the utmost love and strength, and she’s so fearless. Those were the things that I’ve always strived to be as a sister, and I just wanted to do this audition for me. I didn’t expect to get anything out of it. I didn’t expect to get a callback, nothing.
Wait – sorry to derail the conversation for a minute, but you mentioned your birthday is in November – are you a Scorpio?
Yes!!!
I’m also a Scorpio!
Oh my gosh, I love that!
It’s funny because it’s obvious that Nani has a lot more depth in the live-action, but I was watching the film and I thought to myself at one point “Nani must be a Scorpio.”
Oh my gosh, I LOVE THAT! That’s so cool, wow. I mean, you saw something, right?
We know! Scorpios have a hard exterior but we’re so soft and emotional.
Totally, and there’s so much passion there and strength. They’re misunderstood, and sometimes they can be quiet, but at the same time, we want to share it. That’s so cool. I don’t think I ever thought about that with Nani, but I totally agree.
‘Lilo and Stitch’ is arguably one of the most iconic and successful Disney animated films of all time. Did you feel a lot of pressure taking on such an iconic character, especially since the film means a lot to you personally?
A lot of when I was filming felt like ‘art imitating life, life imitating art.’ And that was going through my head the entire time because I think that, had I not had the experience I had before filming, I wouldn’t be here. Or I wouldn’t have been able to get the roles that I have gotten, including this role. During the time that I was filming, there was a massive load of pressure, for sure. It was one of those things that just made me a better person, and it made me a better actor.
I think the reason I was able to overcome that was from the support that I had on set and off set – I was at home, in Hawaii. All of my fears were stemming from my childhood and being bullied, or the internet. As soon as I let go of that and looked around, I realized I was home and had everything that I needed. I ran with that. And Nani taught me a lot too, and that was a really big thing. I think just being able to pour myself into the relationship itself and hang onto my relationship with my sister Siena throughout the whole film. To be able to focus her character on her relationship with Lilo, and the relationship that Maia and I created is its sister bond that I will forever hold, it made everything just blissful.
Disney made the right choice casting you and Maia together– your chemistry is undeniable.
I know, I am so grateful. Thank you.
Do you remember the first time you met her? Did the two of you connect right away?
Yeah, we did! I remember the first time I saw her I thought to myself, “Oh my gosh, she looks just like her [Lilo].” Recently, our chemistry read photo resurfaced, and I had no idea how young she was! I always said I was so afraid to see her again because a lot of time had passed, and I thought I was going to cry or vomit [laughs]. I was just not ready to see her so grown up. But she’s still got the same type of spirit and energy and love and joy in her heart, it’s just been so nice to see her again.
I remember when we walked into the chemistry read together, I think one of the first things I noticed was that she was just so goofy and confident. I remember her leading her mom around, she was the one that was owning the show. Dean and I were in the chemistry read, and Dean said, “Okay we’re going to do a little bit of Improv,” and she said, “What’s that?” Dean said, “It’s like make believe, and we’re going to create this experience together and you’re going to play with Stitch, and this is your sister.” She was endless in her imagination. There was never a moment where she said “Okay that’s all I have…” No. That, for a kid, is incredible. That taught me a lot, I was so immediately blown away by her. And then we’re in the green room, and she gets bored and asks her mom to turn on her Tahitian music and starts dancing Hula in the green room [laughs]. I was like, “This girl is the best, I love her.” And her hips do not lie [laughs]. She’s insane.
dress. Dolce & Gabbana
jewellery. Lady Grey
opposite
blazer, shirt + shoes. Ralph Lauren
denim shirt. Jean Paul Gaultier
shorts. AKNVAS
jewellery. Ritique Jewelry
You have grown up with a younger sister, and this story means so much to those of us who have grown up with such a special bond with our sisters. What was it like bringing this story to life in a new way with Maia, and what do you hope people take away from this film?
I hope they see our real relationship on screen. I hope that they can see that, while I know it’s a movie, all of us on and off screen who were a part of this movie, not just Maia and I, really created a true family in the process. I think it shows. I hope people take away the fact that family is not perfect and it doesn’t have to look a specific way, and that you feel like you belong somewhere.
I think it shows in the arc that Maia and I have with Nani and Lilo – they aren’t perfect, but I hope that people find the little moments where it was just Sydney and Maia on screen and it was captured. I hope that people are able to see themselves in that, and maybe appreciate their family a little bit more and realize that nobody is perfect and that is okay.
The hammock scene where you sing to Lilo was so beautiful. I know you’re a musical person as well, and Disney has a way at pulling on heartstrings through music. Other than ‘Lilo and Stitch’, what are some of your favourite Disney songs or soundtracks?
Oh my gosh! Before I had gone through everything and before I had done any of the interviews, I had been saying ‘Mulan’ a lot. That is still true to this day. The song where she’s learning with bamboo – and then “Reflection” was a huge one for me growing up. I didn’t know who I was, and I still don’t, hence the whole Jane Doe thing with my music. I think there’s something to be said about opening up the truth in that sort of way and being authentic in that sort of fear. I think there are colours on the other side of the grey. Now, I think it was Courtney who reminded me of ‘Tangled’, it was “When Will My Life Begin,” so good! So bittersweet, so hopeful, pulling at your heartstring type of song. And Mandy Moore is incredible!
I know you have some other projects in the works, do you hope to take on more acting roles where you can sing as well?
Funny you say that, Yes! I just recently finished a project called “Ripple,” I was lucky enough to do it with some of the most beautiful and talented souls. We just finished this last fall/winter in Toronto, and it’s basically about these four strangers who live in New York City, and they all have their own struggles. The log line is basically how everyone is intertwined, and how you can create a ripple effect on someone else without even knowing that you’re doing it.
My character is Aria, she is a struggling twenty-something-year-old who is trying to pursue music, and has the utmost social anxiety and impostor syndrome. She is very self-sabotaging and it cripples her. At the same time, she has found her love for wanting to feel like she has a purpose in the world and feeling like she’s connected, and she thinks that she wants to be a mom. It’s a wonderful series that I hope we get to see soon on screen. Frankie Faison is in it. Ian Harding from ‘Pretty Little Liars’, Julia Chan – they play the other 3 of the core 4. It’s just a beautiful story of interconnectedness and feeling like you’re a piece of a puzzle, but still a big piece, and at the end of the day, you matter. I think it’s a needed series, and I got to bring in some of my original songs, and that’s been insane.
What are you most looking forward to this year and beyond?
One of the biggest things that this project has brought me is confidence, becoming a better person and having a wider scope on life. Feeling like I can take back my control and my place of belonging. I am excited to see where this sense of bliss and peace takes me. I feel like a new person in the way of re-gauging my ability to achieve, and I am excited to put fear down. I am excited to work on music, and put music out, which has been a huge dormant thing for years. I feel like I have opened my eyes up again, and I am excited to take gratitude with me everywhere I go, really, and be home while I’m doing it, which is kinda cool.
dress. MMK by Michael Kors
shoes. Sergio Rossi
jewellery. Ritique Jewelry
opposite
top. Versace
jewellery. Ritique Jewelr
The 75th anniversary of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix was the place to be from 3 – 6 July. Held at the iconic Silverstone Circuit, the grounds were also home to Silverstone festival, an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in the bustle of motorsport with a thrilling lineup of racing and live music. The VIP experience in particular gave guests an exciting glimpse of the paddock to see teams like Ferrari, Aston Martin and McLaren up close (and potentially catch a glimpse of legends like Lewis Hamilton if you’re lucky.)
The event truly captured the festival vibe with camping and a hotel on site, a live marching band and a Red Bull skate ramp. There was also a restaurant with a jacuzzi if that tickles your fancy. The staff at Silverstone were a particular highlight, making an effort to give a warm and friendly welcome to guests.
Taking place at the peak of British summer, Silverstone festival’s lineup featured some of the best of UK talent from Sam Fender and Mabel to Jade and Raye, who also features on the ‘F1’ film soundtrack. Raye gave a stunningly cinematic performance spanning across her entire discography. She showcased courageous vulnerability on songs like ‘Mary Jane’ and ‘Ice Cream Man,’ ignited the dance floor with her viral anthem ‘Prada’ and brought spellbinding drama with ‘Escapism.’ The combination of iconic performances and world class sport makes Silverstone festival a must-see for F1 fans keen to catch the live action surrounded by other enthusiasts.