In a performance that brought raw energy, unapologetic emotion, and two generations of musical rebellion crashing into one unforgettable moment, U.K. alt-rock provocateur YUNGBLUD joined forces with Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons to deliver the network television debut of their explosive single “original me.” Taken from YUNGBLUD’s critically acclaimed EP, hope for the underrated youth, the duet wasn’t just a song—it was a battle cry for every outsider who’s ever felt misunderstood.
The chemistry between YUNGBLUD and Reynolds was electric from the first note. Dressed in his signature punk-grunge aesthetic, YUNGBLUD (a.k.a. Dominic Harrison) stormed the stage with wild-eyed intensity, while Reynolds brought his stadium-honed power and emotional grit, matching his younger counterpart beat for beat. The result? A live performance that felt more like a shared exorcism than a duet.
With pounding drums, blistering guitars, and vocals that tore straight through the screen, “original me” became an anthem of defiance and self-acceptance in real time. The song’s confessional lyrics—“I’m so sick of me, wake up and hate to breathe / And I pride myself in that, so dramatic, I’ll admit”—hit even harder delivered by two artists who’ve both built careers on confronting personal demons and societal expectations.
In interviews, YUNGBLUD has said that the song is about “embracing the parts of yourself you were told to hate.” That message resonated louder than ever during the performance, as the audience erupted in cheers for the unfiltered honesty pouring from the stage.
This wasn’t just a performance—it was a moment of cultural permission. A reminder that being flawed doesn’t make you broken. That being different doesn’t mean you’re alone.
For YUNGBLUD, it marked yet another milestone in a meteoric rise defined by fearless creativity and youth-first activism. For Dan Reynolds, it was a natural extension of his ongoing journey as a mental health advocate and genre-defying frontman. Together, they made a statement bigger than the song: Your scars are not your shame—they’re your story.
And for the millions watching? “original me” just became the soundtrack of their survival.
