{"id":667508,"date":"2026-05-13T21:27:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/667508\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T21:27:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:27:12","slug":"in-2022-john-lennons-son-performed-imagine-for-the-first-time-after-swearing-he-never-would","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/667508\/","title":{"rendered":"In 2022, John Lennon’s son performed ‘Imagine’ for the first time after swearing he never would"},"content":{"rendered":"

British singer-songwriter Dylan Holloway, who performs as Dylan and the Moon<\/a>, has been wowing audiences with his voice for quite some time. But what makes Holloway especially unique is that he also charmed crowds before identifying as male. While Holloway had long wrestled with his gender identity<\/a>, he transitioned<\/a> from female to male during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some might say they never look back, Holloway chooses to look back with love and gratitude for his former self.<\/p>\n

In a recent clip posted to Holloway\u2019s Instagram page<\/a>, he shows his followers a split screen. On the left is Dylan presenting as female, with blonde curls and soprano notes. That side is labeled \u201c2018.\u201d On the right is modern-day Dylan, now presenting as male, shirtless and tattooed, marked \u201c2026.\u201d To the song \u201cKiss Me,\u201d he harmonizes with his former self, and it\u2019s absolutely pitch-perfect.<\/p>\n

\u201cA duet with my past self\u201d<\/p>\n

At the top of the clip, he writes, \u201cSinging with my past self\u2026trans duet.\u201d Holloway adds in the comments: <\/p>\n

\u201cA duet with my past self. I make these videos because it brings me joy to embrace my entire journey & it helps me spread love to others who may wish to do the same\u2026 I\u2019m proud of who I am & the unique art I can make because of it \u2026 whoever you are, whatever your journey, you are wonderful & deserve love for your whole self too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans in the comment section were equally loving and seemingly in awe:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were and are a beautiful person, with a lot of charisma, musically and a beautiful voice. In both interpretations. Gifted! I\u2019m impressed.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI see a talented musician who is proud of his story and who loves himself, as he should.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sixpence None the Richer<\/p>\n

As for the song? The year was 1998. The band Sixpence None the Richer had taken American radio stations by storm with their sweet, melodic single \u201cKiss Me\u201d from their self-titled album, released a year earlier. Its lyrics are pretty straightforward, though some could call them a tad bossy. The singer would like a gentleman to kiss her \u201cbehind the bearded barley. Nightly, behind the green, green grass. Swing, swing. Swing the spinning step. You\u2019ll wear those shoes and I will wear that dress.\u201d Holloway nails every note.<\/p>\n

Obvious X Factor<\/p>\n

Back in 2012, Holloway became a sensation while competing<\/a> on Britain\u2019s The X Factor, where he ended up as a finalist in a band called MK1. More recently, he compiled clips from the show featuring his former self singing beautifully then and just as purely now as a man.<\/p>\n

In an interview with DIVA Magazine<\/a>, Holloway described his time on the show:<\/p>\n

\u201cMK1 ended up at the finals on national television, which was such a turning point in my life. Until then I had just been a little androgynous kid from Newquay with a secret inside me, and now I was a rapper in an urban band on telly. But everyone knew me as someone I wasn\u2019t, and I felt like a caricature of myself. Eventually, after a few years, these feelings bubbled to the surface and I couldn\u2019t continue to be this person everyone thought I was, so I drifted and started releasing my own music under the name Lots Holloway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Compassion and love<\/p>\n

When asked what it\u2019s like singing with his former self, Holloway seemed to feel at peace:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s actually such a wonderful experience to look at them now. I think a lot of transgender people find there\u2019s a pressure, whether they put that on themselves or it is external pressure, to eliminate the person you once were when you become someone new. Now I\u2019m the person I am today, I look back at old footage of myself with this new compassion and love. I wouldn\u2019t be here right now if it wasn\u2019t for that brave, resilient, and bold soul that was brave enough to come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alongside his career as a musician, Holloway also speaks professionally about mental health advocacy and LGBTQ rights. On the Raise the Bar website<\/a>, where he is listed as one of its motivational speakers, the organization shares the importance of these side-by-side videos: \u201cIn posting these videos, he spreads the message that it is okay to accept your old self, as it is all part of the journey that makes you who you are now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upworthy spoke with Holloway, who shared how he feels about transitioning and music in general.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor awhile, I thought I had to leave that version of myself behind. But over time, I realised there was something really beautiful about letting both versions of me exist together,\u201d he said. \u201cSo instead of erasing my past, I started creating duets with old vocal recordings and videos I had. Almost like having a conversation across time with younger me. So healing. How many people ever have that opportunity? I want other people to know it\u2019s okay to embrace who you are \u2013 the whole story.\u201d<\/p>\n

He says his favorite duet <\/a>so far is \u201cYellow\u201d by Coldplay. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis song came out when I was growing up and confused about myself,\u201d he said. \u201cI recorded it on a rooftop in 2018. Then went back to the same place in 2026 to film again, totally free and transitioned. And the merging of those two people together, to me, is beautiful. I love how the lyrics mean something totally different in this context. \u2018Your skin and bones turn into something beautiful. I swam across. I jumped across for you. You know I love you so.\u2019 All of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cMy dream is that Coldplay will see it and see how much their song helped heal me. And one day, we will play it together with the old version of me projected behind us to sing it too. In a huge stadium, of course. I want to spread the message of acceptance and love as far as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTraditional songwriting\u201d is where he draws most of his influence: \u201cPeople who tell stories. People who write to move others. Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Coldplay, Paul Simon, Tracy Chapman. Iconic.\u201d <\/p>\n

He plans to keep telling those stories.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a totally independent artist, and this year, I\u2019m creating an album in public and allowing my fans to make decisions along the way,\u201d he said. \u201cI make one bit of content a day and release one song a month. Eventually, it will all come together into an album. And my fans will know they helped bring it to life. So everyone is welcome to come and get involved!\u201d<\/p>\n

Holloway is also releasing a documentary<\/a> later this year that shares more of his story. \u201cIt shows an up close and personal journey of my transition from the lens of being a singer who risked losing their voice,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\t\t