Thomas Orlina is ready to make history with his music

Share This Post

“Sorry, I’m in the hot tub,” Thomas Orlina says, answering So.Gay’s call from his pad in Los Angeles. The Filipino-American artist has been busy promoting his latest single, Tell Me Your Name, his fifth studio release. This time, he says he allowed himself to break the mold he previously shaped and dive deeper into his sexuality.

“I’ve always been interested in music, but it was during the pandemic that I started to experiment and really pursue it,” says Orlina. “Forbes doing a feature on me as an artist really encouraged me to keep going.”

While he says his Filipino identity has always instilled a strong sense of family values, his music has allowed him to experiment with different armors and tackle different themes as an artist. 

“My parents love it,” he says. “I think it’s fun for my mom and dad to see me on stage and doing what makes me happy. They’ve always been very supportive.”

While many artists treat albums like eras, Orlina has embraced each of his songs as a new chapter. 

Tell Me Your Name featured a music video in which Orlina sports a red latex top, an all-denim ensemble, and the classic gay uniform of shirtlessness, all set against a sultry club vibe. He emphasizes the importance of radiating confidence so the dancers can feel it, allowing that energy to resonate with viewers.

“Let’s play a game… tell me your name. Don’t be ashamed, I’m glad you came,” Orlina sings on the track. It could be pop music for Grindr, if you ask us. But we’ll let your ears be the judge. 

Orlina mentions that he collaborated on the song with queer LA-based songwriter Christopher Bugna. He actually listened to the song two years ago but wasn’t ready to move forward.

“I had to go through some self-discovery and personal issues,” Orlina says, though he doesn’t provide further details.

Tell Me Your Name ultimately served as a triumph on several levels, and he hopes that music awards will agree. 

Aside from music, Orlina advocates for mental health and raises awareness about issues like depression and anxiety.

“There are a lot of family traumas we experience growing up, and I think that’s possibly why there’s an increased need for therapy,” says Orlina. “Some of the things we learned may not have been entirely accurate, and we might need to revisit them to understand why things are the way they are.”

Regarding the type of fans he hopes to reach with his music, Orlina isn’t shy about dropping names.

“I think it’s right on track with a lot of the popular songs out there right now with the likes of Tate McRae and Sabrina Carpenter,” he says. “It’s definitely Billboard’s top 100. If you like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber… then you will like Thomas Orlina.” 

It’s the kind of self-awareness only a true star could have.

Check out more of star’s music on Spotify here and his personal doings on Instagram here!

MENU

We participate in marketing programs, our content is not influenced by any commissions. To find out more, please visit our Term and Conditions page.