Omar Apollon experiences many firsts in his life.

The singer, who rode the wave of a critically acclaimed debut album Ivory all the way to the Grammys with a nomination for Best New Artist, immediately said yes when asked about making his acting debut in Luca GuadagninoIt is Weird against Daniel Craig. THE A24 The film sees him playing a hustler who has a steamy one-night stand with Craig’s William Lee in Mexico complete with a sex scene and full frontal nudity – yet another first for the 27-year-old Indiana native. His foray into Hollywood has since taken him to the Venice Film Festival and the recent LACMA Art + Film Gala, all new experiences for the rising star.

“It’s cool to be invited. It’s sweet,” said Apollo The Hollywood Reporter Wednesday night at the Los Angeles premiere at the DGA Theater Complex. “I don’t really think about how I’m perceived, so I just exist and the fact that people love my music and who I am as a person is beautiful. I don’t take it for granted.

He also does not let slip that the queer-themed film based on the novel by William S. Burroughs (adapted by Justin Kuritzkes) comes out after a very controversial election. Set in 1950s Mexico City, Weird follows an outcast American expat (Craig) who falls in love with a younger man (Drew Starkey) as he struggles with drug addiction, which takes them on a surprising journey. Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Henry Zaga, Colin Bates, Drew Droege, Ariel Schulman and Simon Rizzoni complete the cast.

“You see, I’m from Indiana. It’s a very conservative state, but I hope to open someone’s mind there,” he said. “Especially now, I’m even more proud to be in a film like this. I was already proud but now I’m like, yeah. I feel like it’s punk. This film coming out at this precise moment, I think it will help a lot. There is a story of love and loss that transcends sexuality and people. It’s humanity.

Apollo appears at the beginning, meaning there’s plenty of story to come after he exits the 135-minute film. “I thought it was amazing,” he said of the full film. “I was like, wow, I can’t believe I’m part of this. I saw it as if I wasn’t playing the character, so it was really beautiful to see the finished product. I love my scene – it’s a little strange, and I like that. I love this energy.

As for his full-frontal photo, the singer said he kept his role and nudity a secret, except from those around him. “I told my very good friends. I didn’t really want too many opinions. It was cool. I didn’t think too much about it. I really trusted Luca, the casting and the story. William Burroughs is an incredible writer, so I have every confidence,” he said, although he admitted to looking in the mirror and taking a naked selfie to send to a friend just to reassure yourself.

“I did that. I took a photo and sent it to a friend. I was like, ‘Do you think I’m okay?’ (The photo) is on my phone. Probably in a group chat.

As for what the future holds for Hollywood, Apollo was optimistic that there would be even more screen work to come and more premieres, whatever they may be.

“I love cinema and I love television. I love everything about it. It’s something I really want to get into and I’m just letting it (unfold). Obviously, music is my motivation and my first love and I’m obsessed with it, so it will never stop. But the rest is a blessing. I’m very lucky to be here with all these very talented people.