Culture / Society

Benjamin Ingrosso disappeared from the spotlight. Now he’s ready to be seen again

By Emma Thimgren
Benjamin Ingrosso sitting on a high stool, shirtless and wearing jeans, the background is bright orange

Ingrosso has previously spoken openly about struggling with body dysmorphia. Part of becoming more comfortable with himself, he says, has involved letting go of an old insecurity about his height. Details below . Photo: Sara Bille

Channelling the poster boys of the 1990s, Benjamin Ingrosso steps in front of the Vogue Scandinavia lens for the first time in years and, simultaneously, launches a new era. As he gears up to share his fifth album, the Swedish pop star talks about stripping back the excess, tuning out other people’s opinions and finally getting comfortable in his own skin

Benjamin Ingrosso has been thinking a lot about the 1990s. The films, the clothes, and the icons. Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, two of the era’s definitive heartthrobs, have lately become specific style reference points for the Swedish pop star. “When I had a pretty rough time, the only thing that made me think about something else was lying in bed watching ’90s rom-coms and listening to film scores from that era,” he says. “I realised that most of the things that make me happy come from the ’90s: the movies, the fashion, the commercials and the colours. It was also before everything turned digital.”

That dot-com era fixation has made it out of his thoughts and into the real world. He is on set for his Vogue Scandinavia shoot, channelling the undone appeal of his vintage references in washed-out denim, cotton boxers, preppy shirting, grey melange singlets and pieces pulled from his own wardrobe. It is the first time he has stepped in front of a camera for a photoshoot in two years. Not that you would know it – like the rest of the Wahlgren-Ingrosso family, being in front of the lens appears to be second nature for him.

Related: “This is two years in the making, and I’m kind of nervous”: Benjamin Ingrosso on releasing new music

In the lead-up to his new album, Ingrosso shied away from the public spotlight. It was the only way for him to produce his new sound and more “personal” lyrics. Leather coat, Cotton canvas backpack, €3,600. Both Louis Vuitton. Photo: Sara Bille

This feature marks the first time Ingrosso has stepped in front of a camera for a photoshoot in two years, with a more personal, stripped- back Ingrosso compared to his former, “extravagant” persona. Ribbed tank top, €35. Broadway & Sons. Boxer shorts, €65. CDLP. Ribbed socks, €35. Asket. Leather loafers. Benjamin’s own. Photo: Sara Bille