Yungblud recently opened up about the profound influence Ozzy Osbourne had on his life and career. He shared heartfelt reflections following the rock legend’s passing in an interview with NME.
The comments came in response to a question about whether Osbourne’s legacy helped inspire Yungblud’s vision for his London ‘B.R.A.T’ store. The question drew parallels to the community seen at Black Sabbath’s final show and the tributes following Ozzy’s death.
“Ozzy was always my north star,” Yungblud said. “Ozzy Osbourne and David Bowie meant everything to me. Ozzy was a character in my life who was a reflection of everything I went through.”
The artist explained how Osbourne’s example provided hope during his formative years.
“I was always a bit over the top. I was always seen to be a bit crazy. I was always seen to be a bit loud, but when some people saw that as a negative, Ozzy would provide me with the hope that there was an avenue for someone like me in the world,” he continued.
Yungblud reflected on how knowing Osbourne personally later in life deepened his appreciation for the rock icon’s approach to creativity.
“From such a young age, he really inspired me. Then, to know him as a friend towards the end, to know his heart, and to know Sharon Osbourne… I really started to understand that they did things their way,” he said. “It’s always been inspirational because, for me, the biggest enemy to any artist or anything is the phrase, ‘This is just how it’s done’. That’s a cop out.”
The loss has prompted Yungblud to reflect on the importance of connecting with fans and leaving a meaningful legacy.
“All I care about are the people outside, and I want to make this the most magical adventure for them, and something that we’re gonna have together,” he said. “[Ozzy’s death] is still raw at the minute. It’s been a very weird couple of weeks. But losing someone I admired and got to know really made me think about the idea of legacy and connection with people. All that matters is the connection with them.”
The relationship between Yungblud and Ozzy developed through their professional collaboration and personal connection. This began when they first worked together on creative projects.
98KUPD reported that Yungblud and Ozzy first met while filming the music video for Yungblud’s single “The Funeral” in 2022. Ozzy made a cameo alongside Sharon Osbourne. During the shoot, Ozzy told Yungblud that he saw a lot of himself in the young artist and advised him never to apologize for being himself.
“They will understand you later. Time always tells,” Ozzy told him during their collaboration.
This connection helped Yungblud realize Ozzy’s depth beyond his public persona. He described him as “so intelligent and so f***ing beautiful” rather than the “gone” figure many perceived. The meeting proved transformative for the young artist, who found validation in Ozzy’s recognition of their shared rebellious spirit.
Following Ozzy’s death, American Songwriter noted that Yungblud performed a heartfelt cover of “Changes”—a song famously associated with Ozzy. He vowed to play it every night for the rest of his life to honor the late rock legend. He also expressed deep gratitude towards Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne for their support. He credited them with showing him “it was beautiful to be out of the box” and providing a path when others had rejected him.
Rova highlighted that this year Yungblud’s album Idols saw him lean further into his rock roots. He carried forward the inspiration left by Ozzy and contemporaries in the genre. The album represents a continuation of the artistic philosophy that Ozzy championed throughout his career—the importance of staying true to one’s authentic self regardless of public perception.
