The flamboyant lead singer, who shot to fame after his band’s debut record, once earned a staggering £1 million in a single month from a Christmas number one hit and sold-out concerts worldwide, with his massive hair mirroring his equally extravagant career. Now 49, the musician’s younger years were defined by serious overindulgence: he infamously blew £150,000 of his estimated £6 million wealth on cocaine, a habit that ultimately led him to quit the band in 2006 to focus on getting sober. Today, he lives a profoundly different existence: he’s now vegan, married, and a father of one, residing quietly in rural Switzerland, a stark contrast to the persona he projected on stage.

Two decades after the band’s breakthrough success, the rock icon, once instantly recognizable, is now almost completely changed in appearance. Famed for his signature long, coily hairstyle, he was seen leaving BBC Broadcasting House in London this Tuesday sporting a much darker, shorter cut and a clean-shaven face, a dramatic shift away from his notorious rock ‘n’ roll image. Can you figure out who this is? It is, in fact, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness.

At his peak, the vocalist behind the soaring anthem, I Believe In A Thing Called Love, was known for wearing metallic catsuits that highlighted his tattooed chest. Yet, on his recent outing, Justin chose a notably more casual outfit: a black hoodie underneath a leather jacket, paired with jeans and sneakers, though he carried a khaki Celine rucksack, a subtle indication of his enduring taste for luxury goods. The Darkness recently unveiled plans for a new album and a 2025 UK tour, fueled by a sudden global surge in popularity for their 2003 hit after Taylor Swift was filmed singing along with her partner, Travis Kelce, at the US Open final. That footage propelled the song back up global charts, even reaching number one in the US—21 years following its original release.

Justin shared that Taylor sent him a letter, calling the song “the greatest song ever written,” a compliment that delighted both him and his daughter. Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine to promote the band’s eighth studio album, Dreams On Toast, Justin recounted the lovely story. “She [Taylor Swift] was just dancing and enjoying it, and it’s a track they often play at sports events,” he explained. “My daughter is the biggest Swiftie I know, so having her idol appreciate our music made me incredibly cool in her eyes. Taylor sent a wonderful message praising the song—it’s extremely validating, coming from such an expert songwriter.”

Reflecting on the viral moment, Justin humorously noted, “We saw Taylor singing our song, and it went to number one… but we didn’t suddenly rush back to the studio. We’ve been working on the new album for a year and a half, and we released the first single today.” He added that Swift’s influence is reassuring to him as a father, knowing his daughter looks up to someone with such talent and positive guidance. Earlier this month, Justin posted a TikTok video showing his reaction to the circulating clips online, expressing his thanks to Taylor and Travis for creating a special memory with his daughter. “It was genuinely heartwarming for both me and my little girl,” he said. “She’s so excited to tell her friends at school. So thank you, Taylor. Thank you, Travis.”

Justin also mentioned attending a Swift concert in Zurich a few weeks earlier, where the VIP treatment, including a personal note from Taylor praising I Believe In A Thing Called Love, made him feel like “dad of the year.” Looking back at his past, Justin’s excessive spending during The Darkness’ peak included £150,000 on cocaine over three years, which created significant tension within the band. However, he has since completely rebuilt his life and career, including performances at events like the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert in September 2022. He proudly added, “I was just dad of the year—maybe even dad of the century—because it was all such a fantastic surprise.” The Darkness is now gearing up for their most extensive UK tour yet. Their Dreams On Toast headline tour will include 17 performances across the country, concluding at London’s OVO Wembley Arena on March 29, 2025.