American singer-songwriter John Grant was BOTD in 1968. Born in Buchanan, Michigan, he was raised in Colorado in a conservative religious family, putting him at odds with his own homosexuality. In 1994, he co-founded the indie band The Czars, releasing six studio albums but finding little commercial success. After splitting up in 2006, Grant moved to New York, working a series of menial jobs while struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. In 2010, he released his debut solo album Queen of Denmark, a series of melancholy ballads chronicling his addictions and struggles to accept his homosexuality. The album became a sleeper indie hit, and was prominently featured in Andrew Haigh’s 2011 gay romance film Weekend. Grant had similar success with his 2013 sophomore album Pale Green Ghosts, featuring vocals by Sinéad O’Connor, and earning him a Brit Award nomination for Best International Artist. In 2012, he announced during a live concert that he was HIV positive, a subject he has since discussed extensively in interviews. His recent albums include 2021’s Boy From Michigan and 2024’s The Art of the Lie. He has also collaborated with Jools Holland, Kylie Minogue, Elbow, the Cocteau Twins, Beth Orton, Tracey Thorn and Elton John. In 2025, he appeared in a ballet adaptation of Christopher Isherwood‘s novel A Single Man, performing as the protagonist’s mind alongside dancer Ed Watson. Grant has lived in Reykjavik since 2013, and was granted Icelandic citizenship in 2022. Famously reluctant to discuss his personal life outside of his lyrics, his current relationship status is unknown.