Yungblud's Heartfelt Confession on Fame and Friendship with Ozzy Osbourne
In a dimly lit corner of the Rainbow Bar and Grill on Los Angeles' iconic Sunset Strip, Yungblud, the 28-year-old rock sensation from Doncaster, sits quietly in a vibrant red leather booth, sipping a diet Coca-Cola. Despite the rock and roll ambiance of the venue, he opts for a milder drink after a lively pre-Oscars party the night before. "I went to bed at 8am, which is why I was a bit late for our chat," he chuckles. "Waking up in LA after a night out is easier than back home in Donny when it's pouring rain."
A Fateful Meeting with a Rock Legend
This very spot holds a special memory for Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Harrison. Six years ago, he met his idol, Ozzy Osbourne, at the latter's album launch party. "We sat down, he gave me a hug, and we talked for over two hours about random things," Yungblud recalls. "I've loved him my whole life, and I couldn't believe it was happening." This chance encounter blossomed into a profound friendship that lasted until Ozzy's sudden passing last summer at age 76.
The bond culminated in Yungblud's stunning performance of Changes at Ozzy's final Villa Park show, just weeks before his death, which earned Yungblud a Grammy for Best Rock Performance. "When I saw him that day, he had limited mobility but was still laughing and joking," Yungblud shares. "His daughter Kelly told me he watched a video of that performance six times daily in his final weeks after getting an iPad."
From Doncaster Dreams to American Ambitions
Growing up in Doncaster as a Black Sabbath-obsessed teen, Yungblud saw Ozzy as a superhero. "I had his photo on my wall since I was four—he was like Batman to me," he says. "As an ADHD kid from Donny, seeing someone celebrated for being wild and authentic made me feel normal. When he embraced me and gave me a platform, it was surreal—I'm just a kid from a guitar shop who got to sing with his hero."
Yungblud vividly remembers learning of Ozzy's death while in a recording studio in the Bahamas with poor signal. "I came out of a six-hour session to 80 missed calls and feared the worst for my family," he explains. "Then I saw a text saying, 'I'm sorry about Ozzy,' and I broke down. The other rock star in the studio was devastated too and just walked out."
Ozzy's last piece of advice has fueled Yungblud's current drive: "Go get America next." Yungblud is determined to honor this wish, and his rising fame in the U.S. suggests he's on the right path. Fans constantly approach him on Sunset Boulevard for autographs and selfies, and his patient, engaging demeanor explains the fierce loyalty of his fanbase.
Breaking America and Grammy Success
Breaking into the American market is notoriously tough for British artists, but Yungblud is making significant strides. He made history as the first British artist to earn three Grammy nominations in rock categories in a single year and secured a Top Ten album on the U.S. Billboard charts with Aerosmith. Additionally, U.S. legends like Smashing Pumpkins collaborated on his album Idols2, the follow-up to his fourth UK Number One album, Idols.
"It's every British artist's dream to conquer America," Yungblud notes. "It feels like the era of The Stones or Led Zeppelin again. Seeing me, Olivia Dean, and Lola Young at the Grammys is incredible. I love the pub, pie, and the North, but I also cherish the land of opportunity here where I don't need permission from the industry."
Overlooked at Home and Industry Critiques
Despite his Grammy triumphs, Yungblud was surprisingly snubbed at this year's BRIT Awards. "I don't want to quiet down or bow to the establishment just for a Brit Award," he asserts. "We had two number-one albums and sold out 11 arenas, so it stung a bit to feel unappreciated at home." He finds solace in the Grammys being voted on by peers like Chappell Roan, Dave Grohl, and Lady Gaga, viewing it as more democratic than label-driven awards like the BRITs.
The Dark Side of Fame and Coping Mechanisms
Yungblud exudes rockstar charisma, arriving at the interview in shades and a leopard-print-lined leather jacket, but he's also refreshingly candid about his vulnerabilities. When asked if he missed out on anything by starting his music career young, he replies, "My adolescence and the ability to mess up in private. If I fail, it's judged forever."
He has faced well-documented struggles with fame, including battles with alcohol, food issues, and toxic relationships. "It took me a decade to figure out who I am, with six years of the label and press tearing me apart," he confesses. To cope, he has made his world smaller, ignoring external noise and avoiding online comments. "I don't read them anymore—if I'm a racehorse, I need blinkers to stay focused," he says. "Now, I keep my circle tight, with my dogs and a farm in Malibu with goats."
Boxing has also been crucial for his mental health. "I tried therapy, but it felt like an interview. Boxing is my therapy—it forces me to check in with myself or risk losing who I am." As the interview concludes, Yungblud's connection with fans on the Sunset Strip shows he doesn't need to read comments to feel appreciated. His festival, Bludfest, is set for Czechia on June 27th, 2026, and Idols II is currently available.
