Frankie Grande Shares How A ‘Liberating’ Visit To Fire Island Inspired His New Song

“It was one of the most liberating and beautiful experiences of my life, sexually and emotionally,” the “Big Brother” star said of “Boys,” released last week.

As he gears up for his most ambitious musical project to date, Frankie Grande is happily touting his sister, Ariana Grande, as a sonic and stylistic influence.

“I think she’s the greatest artist of our generation,” he said. “When it comes to telling a story lyrically and emotionally conveying a place or a time, I don’t think there’s anyone better than her. So in that way, I’m like, ‘Ariana, fuck, you’re incredible.’ She’s been my tutor and guide throughout this process.”

Frankie Grande will unveil “Hotel Rock Bottom,” his debut album as a solo artist, June 27. The album’s anthemic second single, “Boys,” was released last week along with a steamy video showing the actor and singer, who is gay, stripping down in a locker room and under a shower while embracing a pack of handsome revelers.

The song is inspired by his first visit to Fire Island, New York’s premier LGBTQ+ beach destination, after getting sober more than seven years ago. One of his co-stars in the video is Laith Ashley, a transgender actor, model and activist who also had a memorable appearance in Taylor Swift’s “Lavender Haze” video two years ago.

“I’ve been to Fire Island many, many times, drinking and using and partying,” Frankie Grande explained. “But this time, I was just like, ‘I’m going to be free to wear no clothing, to see what the fuck happens.’ And it was one of the most liberating and beautiful experiences of my life, sexually and emotionally, because I was terrified that when I got sober, I would be boring. And I wanted to write a song that could be the soundtrack for that moment.”