“When I realized it made girls like me,” Conor Maynard jokes, about how he decided to commit his life to music. Whatever the motivation, his reputation for soul-searing, flawless vocals has earned the Brighton, UK-born pop star well-deserved global stardom.
It’s been a full decade since Conor won MTV’s Brand New for 2012 Award, competing against Delilah, Michael Kiwanuka, Lana Del Rey and Lianne La Havas. Conor found early success posting cover songs online, but his 2012 debut album Contrast—and its hit single “Can’t Say No”—turned him into a U.K. sensation. In March 2020, having been signed to a major label for 10 years, he stepped out as an independent artist, harnessing creative control and continuing to make certifiable hit songs.
When it comes to performing, he says: “I actually sometimes love the parts in between songs where I can chat to the audience a bit, and hopefully make them laugh. I always want humor in my shows.”
He calls his single “What I Put You Through” (22 million streams and counting) his most personal song. “I just think it was the most honest I could be about a really difficult moment in my life,” he tells me. “Plus the fact I wrote it as I was literally going through it. At the height of the pain.”
His newest single “P.G.N.L.” is a bit more lighthearted. “It stands for ‘pretty girl named Layla,’ and she was actually in the room when I wrote the song.”
Catch Conor live this September on his biggest headlining tour to-date.
Here’s a day in the life of Conor Maynard.
Date April 28, 2022
Time I woke up 12:50 p.m. (heavy night last night)
Every day starts with Turning on the TV in my room for some background noise while I scroll through my phone for a bit.
Breakfast consists of Never really have breakfast, however if I’m going through my health phases which I do often, it will be a small pot of plain porridge.
To get going I always Play a few games of rocket league to get the juices flowing.
I don’t feel dressed without My jewelry, particularly my necklaces.
Before I start working I must Not be hungover.
Currently working on Loads of new music, and putting together my tour.
But I’d really love to be I’m pretty content with that tbh! Although working on a movie would be cool.
Book I’m reading I’m not, haven’t read a book since I was at school! My mind gets too distracted.
I don’t know how anyone ever Wore skinny jeans, but we all did and thought we looked sick.
If I had to play one album on repeat, it would be Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange.
The perfect midday consists of Waking up.
To help get through the day I need To save at least some time for gaming at some point.
Not a day goes by without speaking to My best mates.
In a perfect day, in a perfect world I wouldn’t feel anxious even for one second.
I’ll always fight for Doing whatever makes you happy.
Currently in love with Ozark.
Hoping to make time to watch Better Call Saul.
By my bedside I always have A candle, a lamp, and my jewelry (unless I’m wearing it).
To help get through the night I Play random quiet videos in the background, as I can’t sleep in silence.
Bed time Whenever I feel tired.
When I think about tomorrow, it’s always I hope I have a good day.
