Adonxs

While still in high school, Adonxs formed the "genre-bending" music group PACE with his classmate, now film music composer Adrián Čermák. After moving to London, the duo were joined by two other musicians, a guitarist from Monaco and a drummer from Greece.[15]

In early 2018, the multicultural formation released their debut EP titled Keeper, an alternative, predominantly baroque pop record that incorporates elements of symphony orchestra,[16][17] whilst its lyricism speaks of Adonxs as a "man trapped in his desires and visions".[8] A year later, PACE released the single "Hunt Me Down", followed by "Fallen" in 2020.[18][19] They went on to play London's venues, British festivals, Pride parades, and were an opening act for British singer Grace Carter before their remaining scheduled performances were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20][19]

Following the pandemic restrictions on live music venues in the United Kingdom, Adonxs moved back to Prague, Czechia to embark on a solo career in 2021.[12]

In 2021, Adonxs rose to prominence in his native country and Czechia after winning SuperStar, the seventh season of the joint Czech-Slovak version of Idols. Approached by producers to go on the show, an invitation he declined multiple times in the past,[3] Adonxs stirred controversy with his performances in gender nonconforming outfits (including a translucent dress), to which he responded with "Clothes have no gender".[21][22] He is the first openly queer winner of the joint singing competition and has described his victory as a "huge step forward" for the Czech and Slovak society.[23] In an interview with ELLE, which pointed out his popularity as a queer artist in a conservative society, Adonxs reflected on the impact of his success: "I believe my victory has helped pave the way for other queer entertainers, actors, or politicians to come out and not be afraid to be their authentic, queer selves."[10][20]

Following the win, he signed with Warner and began writing and recording his debut album at Lavagance Studios with producers Oliver Fillner, Marek Rakovicky and Tom Lobb.[24] In January, he received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2021 Ruka Hore Awards, despite not having officially released any solo material yet.[25] In Slovakia, Forbes honored him in Forbes 30 Under 30.[26][27]

On 20 May, he released his debut solo single "Moving On" under the mononymous stage name ADONXS (the gender-fluid 'x' is pronounced /ɪ/, as in Adonis). The alter ego Adonxs refers to a Greek mythological figure, the Greek god of beauty and desire Adonis, who, though a symbol of masculinity, was feminized in Ancient Greek literature, and depicted as sexually ambiguous, androgynous.[28][29] Adonxs came up with the concept of his alter ego during his studies in London to liberate himself on stage and overcome his then "tremendous" fear of performing in front of audience.[30] The song reflects on closing the door on his past toxic, stagnant relationship, and celebrates entering a new, liberated era.[31] Prior to release, he world premiered the song with a live performance on Let's Dance on 24 April.[32] In the music video for "Moving On", Adonxs is wearing a custom skintight garment adorned with hand-sewn crystals by Preciosa, a look he previously teased on Let's Dance.[33][34] The debut solo single marked his first number one on the SK Top 50 Chart.[35]

On 4 June, he premiered an unreleased duet version of "Moving On" with Celeste Buckingham.[36] On 11 June, as the only Slovak artist in the lineup, Adonxs played at Lovestream Festival headlined by Dua Lipa,[37] where he premiered his upcoming singles "Game" and "Cold Summer".[38] On 19 August, Adonxs released his second single "Game", which he had announced as the "most mainstream song on the album". The song marked his second number one on the SK Top 50 Chart, where it reigned atop for eight consecutive weeks.[39] The accompanying music video featuring an authentic Adonxs Barbie doll was described as "slightly creepy", "kinky" and "very queer", while Adonxs explained that the doll play analogy in the video depicts the parallel between manipulation in romantic relationships and the way the entertainment industry treats a new artist.[40] The video received a nomination at the 2023 Berlin Music Video Awards.[41] On 18 October, he released his third single "Cold Summer", a piano ballad.[42] His debut solo album Age of Adonxs was released in November 2022.[43] Musicserver rated it as the best album of 2022 in Slovakia.[44][45] In early 2023, he received two Evropa 2 Music Awards for Best Male Artist and Best New Artist, as well as a nomination for Best Song with "Moving On".[46] At the 2022 Ruka Hore Awards, he earned a nomination for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and received the Europa 2 Song of the Year award.[47] In the Czech Republic, the album Age of Adonxs was prenominated for the Anděl Award for the best Slovak album of 2022.[48]

In May 2023, ADONXS was announced to perform at the Sziget Festival in Budapest on August 13.[49][50] On 8 July, he performed at the Pohoda festival.[51] On 28 July, he released his fourth single, “No Common Measure”.[52]

Apart from his music career, Adonxs is a professional dancer specializing in street dance, lyrical jazz, Latin dance. He is a five-time Slovak Champion in the IDO street dance disciplines, both in junior and adult categories.[6] He was a member of the RDS Company, performed with the likes of Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger or Leona Lewis, and trained with renowned choreographers including Keone Madrid, Camillo Lauricella and Ian Eastwood.[26][53][54]

Adonxs began modeling professionally at age 16.[27] As a runway model, he walked for Alexander McQueen in Milan, as well as in London Fashion Week,[8] and has been featured in campaigns for fashion designers that reject gender stereotypes of masculinity and femininity.[55][56] He has garnered attention for supporting upcycling and sustainability.[57][58] In 2022, he has become the face of Adidas Originals in Czechia.[59][60] In August 2022, Adonxs hosted the 2022 Elite Model Look World Final.[61]

He stars in the music video for "Euphoria" by NobodyListen, and also appears in the video for "The Riddle" by French singer Silly Boy Blue and in "24/7" by German artist MELINA.[62][63][64] He plays the role of Bobby, one of the Kit Kat Club boys, in Joe Masteroff's jazz musical Cabaret, and the role of a heron in BURKICOM's Island! that reflects on environmental issues.[65][66][67]

In November 2022, he finished in second place in the Slovak edition of Tu Cara Me Suena.[68]

Adonxs is a natural basso profondo, the deepest bass, while possessing a vocal range that extends up into tenor, which gives him a distinctive timbre in the upper register. He has been working on his voice with an opera singer for over a decade.[5][57] His vocals have been described as "haunting", "deeply soulful", "heart-wrenching",[86] "breathtaking", the timbre of his voice as "silky", "recognizable".[19][87][88]

His songwriting style is narrative, following themes of self-love, lust, confusion, attachment, heartache, moving on from the past, or loneliness.[17][8] Composing all of his songs on the piano, he considers the songwriting process a therapeutic tool and "medicine" for a broken heart.[2][89]

Adonxs grew up listening to Queen, Depeche Mode, Elton John, Seal, Prince,[14] and has cited AURORA, Sevdaliza, Josef Salvat, Sufjan Stevens, London Grammar, Lorde, Dua Lipa, Birdy, Florence + the Machine as some of his musical influences, while mentioning Woodkid as the key inspiration in his career beginnings.[90][8]

ELLE dubbed Adonxs "the queer king",[10] while Musicserver compared him to James Blake and Woodkid.[91] He has garnered attention for his fashion style, widely described by media outlets as "eccentric". In an interview with Esquire, Adonxs defined his style as "London queer pop culture influenced".[92] He described his trademark androgynous silhouette as having "broad shoulders, high waist, and legs for days",[30] and has cited Damiano David of Måneskin, Sevdaliza, Prince, Freddie Mercury, or David Bowie as some of his influences in onstage fashion.[10] He is known for his pre-show rituals such as painting his nails for good luck.[27]

PACE:

ADONXS:

• J = junior
• A = adult