Teddy Swims Likens His Teen Years to ‘High School Musical’: ‘I Call Myself the Fat Troy Bolton’

Teddy Swims, the acclaimed American singer-songwriter, recently drew a parallel between his teenage years and the Disney film “High School Musical,” humorously dubbing himself the “fat Troy Bolton.” Reflecting on his transition from football to music, Swims shared insights during an appearance on Mythical Kitchen’s “Last Meals.” citeturn0search1

In his youth, Swims was deeply involved in football, a passion that his family cherished. His mother, in particular, had preserved his football trophies since he was six years old. However, Swims felt a strong pull toward music and theater, leading him to make the difficult decision to leave football behind. He recounted a poignant conversation with his mother, who was initially disheartened by his choice but later came to support his musical aspirations after witnessing his performance in “Damn Yankees.” citeturn0search1

Swims’ musical journey began on YouTube, where his covers of songs like Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” and George Michael’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” garnered significant attention. His talent led to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, and he performed at the 2025 Grammy Awards. His latest album, “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2),” reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and secured the top spot on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart. citeturn0search1

Looking ahead, Swims plans to give back to his community by coaching youth sports, blending his athletic background with his musical career. He is also expecting a child with his partner, Raiche Wright. citeturn0search1

For a more in-depth look at Swims’ reflections on his teenage years and musical journey, you can watch the following interview:

videoTeddy Swims Discusses His Teen Years and Musical Journeyturn0search3