Omar Apollo has a hit album, a movie premiering at Venice — and an itch to move home to Indiana

Over the course of just a few years, Omar Apollo went from Northern Indiana to walking the cream-colored carpet of the 2024 Met Gala.

Apollo, the 27-year-old pop singer/songwriter who recently released his sophomore album, "God Said No," to widespread critical acclaim, was raised in Hobart, a Northwest Indiana town of fewer than 30,000 people.

"Being from Indiana, it definitely is an interesting polarity," he told IndyStar during a recent phone interview, reflecting on his meteoric rise from small-town roots. "It definitely was a weird culture shift, but I think I adapted really fast."

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He spoke to IndyStar about the success of the album and his upcoming tour of the same name, which launches its U.S. leg at Everwise Amphitheater in White River State Park on Aug. 20. He also had a lot of (kind) things to say about growing up in Indiana, how it's affected him, and how he hopes to return.

“People say when they meet me, they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re so genuine,’” he said, “and I’m just like, ‘I’m just from the Midwest.’”

On people finding comfort in his heartbreak through 'God Said No'

Apollo got his start in the digital age, uploading his music to SoundCloud and Spotify and growing an audience there before finding success in more mainstream spaces. His 2022 single, "Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All)," went viral on TikTok and later became a radio hit.

“What worked for me in 2017 or even 2022 isn’t gonna work now,” he said. “It’s constantly, constantly changing, and I think as long as you’re sensitive to the culture and what’s happening, (and) if you make good music, you can find your way to get your music heard and seen."

Despite the number of platforms artists can access, Apollo said one platform remains best for sharing music: the stage.

"I think playing shows, you’re automatically relevant, you’re already in the culture, because it’s happening that night," he said. "Even if you’re just opening up for somebody, I think real life connection is really where it starts."

A form of real life connection inspired "God Said No," a collection of 14 tracks about love, longing and heartbreak. (The title is derived from something a friend said to him during a breakup, he told Rolling Stone: “I gave it my everything,” Apollo said. “And God said ‘no.’”)

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“That’s a time capsule of that moment in time, that summer,” he said. “It’s just proof that there was love and that something so potent existed and was being written about and documented.”

Throughout the album, Apollo details his loss in beautiful, raw moments — "Dispose of Me" includes the couplet you're a gentleness my body just won't forget / you're a handprint on my heart I just can't possess — and despite the pain he felt, he's grateful the album is resonating.

“That makes me the happiest, the fact that people can find something medicinal within all the grief that I experienced, or that I’m able to express with words," he said. "I think that’s the only thing I can hope for coming out of the album."

On making his film debut alongside Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino's 'Queer'

Music isn’t Apollo’s only creative outlet.

It was announced last month that Apollo will make his acting debut in the upcoming Luca Guadagnino film, “Queer.” Based on William S. Burroughs’ 1985 novel of the same name, the film stars Daniel Craig — you’ll know him from the James Bond franchise — Jason Schwartzman (“Rushmore” and “Moonrise Kingdom”) and Drew Starkey (“Outer Banks”).

Details about Apollo’s role have yet to be announced, but the film is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, which kicks off later this month.

Set in 1940s Mexico City, “Queer” touches on themes like sex and drug abuse, as the book’s protagonist falls for a younger, discharged Navy serviceman.

Apollo said he’d been a fan of Guadagnino for years, starting with 2017’s “Call Me By Your Name.”

“When I watched it, I was like, ‘Man, I would really love that,’” he said. “(Acting) was in my head, and it is crazy that it’s with him, someone that I really looked up to and I think is a genius and super talented.”

His 10-day shoot in Rome was “the coolest experience,” Apollo said: “I would do it again, for sure.”

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On maintaining his Hoosier roots: 'I want to move back'

Despite his far-flung adventures — the God Said No Tour has already taken him to Australia, Indonesia and Japan — Apollo's eyes always turn back to Indiana.

"I want to move back," he said. "I feel like I will eventually just have a spot there."

People are more genuine in Indiana, he said. You can always trust that they're going to show up when they say they will. But more importantly, his people — family and friends — are in Indiana. A core friend group, plus 11 nieces and nephews. He draws inspiration from his family; the son of Mexican immigrants, Apollo recently launched Disha Hot, a hot sauce based on a generations-old family recipe. Promotions for the sauce feature his parents.

"I need to be closer to family," he said of his desire to return to Indiana. "My nephews and nieces are getting older and not knowing who I am, so it’s just kind of weird."

There's a lot to love about the Hoosier State, he said. Lovely sunsets, beautiful views, great weather and the experience of all four seasons. Oh, and: “We have Columbus, Indiana, which is gorgeous, which I think is very overlooked."

Apollo told IndyStar he plans to spend some time at home in Northwest Indiana before kicking off the tour, which currently has dates scheduled through October. He was looking forward to riding four wheelers, catching up with friends, maybe going to the Indiana Dunes.

"I think the benefit (of Indiana) is just the serenity," he said. "I mean there’s no one really bothering you, there’s no optics to worry about, there’s no cliques. You have your people, and that’s it."

Omar Apollo at Everwise Amphitheater: If you go

When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20

Where: Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.

Tickets: livemu.sc/3LKh7mX

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Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at [email protected]. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Omar Apollo on his hit album, making his film debut, moving home to Indiana