This industry can be snakey and gross

Teddy Swims on how tackling his demons turned him into a megastar ready to take this weekend's Brits by storm

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After dedicating an album to running away from the psychologist’s chair, singer Teddy Swims has finally tried therapy. “So many times in my life I would put myself in harm’s way almost to try to get fuel for the record, you know, which is such a negative thing,” the American singer-songwriter (real name Jaten Collin Dimsdale) tells me. “I promised myself that I would start going after I put the first album out, and I still kept pushing it off a bit.”

Dimsdale, 32, certainly speaks the language of the recently well therapised. “I’m in such a safe place in my life,” he says, grin peeking through that signature bushy beard. “I’m just surrounded by love and support. I’m so grateful for where I am and who I am and where the future is too.”

He is currently on what amounts to a victory tour, following a breakthrough year. His debut album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1), came out in 2023 but really began to fly last year, as the song Lose Control slow-burned to become a smash hit. His second album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), dropped last month and he was nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy and performed at the ceremony.

Now he’ll be performing at the Brits this weekend, where Lose Control is up for Best International Song. He’s looking forward to being back in London, and one major thing is on his mind: “I mean Indian food, dawg, I love to get down on some Indian food while I’m there, it’s the best.”

Despite all this acclaim and attention, the most exciting thing on his mind is the birth of his first child, which he’s expecting with his girlfriend, 29-year-old singer Raiche Wright. “I can’t wait to get back,” he gushes. “Hopefully we take something home at the Brits and then I’m gonna be home.”