“I feel most myself when I’m creating,” says Drew Starkey, a sentiment that defines not only his approach to acting but also his latest role as the U.S. Voice of YSL Beauty’s MYSLF ABSOLU. The 31-year-old actor, who has quickly established himself as one of Hollywood’s most magnetic young talents, first rose to prominence on Outer Banks, the popular Netflix teen drama that premiered during the height of the pandemic and is currently filming its fifth and final season, slated for a 2026 release. But his work has long since outgrown the confines of teen television. Most recently, Starkey starred opposite Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, A24’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs’s postwar novella, set against the backdrop of 1940s Mexico City. Soon, he will appear in Apple TV+’s limited drama Lucky, opposite Anya Taylor-Joy, adding to a slate of performances that showcase his growing range and undeniable screen presence.

That same sense of evolution has carried him into a new arena: fragrance. Starkey has been named the newest U.S. Voice of YSL Beauty’s MYSLF ABSOLU, the latest chapter in the brand’s fragrance line (he stands in good company with fellow actor Austin Butler, who serves as the brand’s Global Ambassador). Crafted by perfumers Daniela Andrier, Christophe Raynaud, and Antoine Maisondieu, the fragrance balances lightness with a spice-driven character, sparkling ginger, sharp cardamom, and freshly picked vert de bergamot at its core. Though genderless, it carries a distinctly masculine undertone.

Speaking with VMAN, Starkey talks about his connection to scent, his partnership with YSL Beauty, and the moments in life when he feels most authentically himself.

VMAN: What drew you to working with YSL Beauty, and how does being named the new U.S. Voice for MYSLF ABSOLU resonate with you personally?

Drew Starkey: YSL Beauty has always been a brand that celebrates individuality and confidence. Being named a U.S. Voice for MYSLF ABSOLU feels really personal for me. It’s about embracing every side of who I am. That, in itself, offers balance. It’s something I try to carry in my own life, so it feels like a very natural connection.

VMAN: Fragrance is often tied to memory and identity. What role does scent play in your life, whether on set, traveling, or in your personal routine? What’s the first memory or feeling this fragrance brings to mind for you?

DS: Fragrance has always been important to me. This fragrance specifically. There is a certain nostalgia attached to the way it makes me feel. Whether I’m working, traveling, or just in my day-to-day routine, scent helps ground me and set the tone for whatever’s ahead. With MYSLF ABSOLU, the first feeling it brings to mind is confidence. The freshness feels energizing, while the warmth feels grounding, and together it reminds me of those pivotal moments where you step into a space fully feeling confident. 

VMAN: If you could describe MYSLF ABSOLU in just three words, what would they be?

DS: Bold, timeless, confident.

VMAN: When do you feel most yourself?

DS: I feel most myself when I’m creating. It allows me to push and challenge myself as a whole. When I’m creative, I feel present. Whether that’s putting my best self forward in my work, or connecting with people I care about. It’s those moments where I’m not overthinking, just leaning into who I am. That’s also what MYSLF ABSOLU represents to me: embracing every side of yourself with confidence.

VMAN: You’re at a really exciting point in your career. How does it feel stepping into the YSL Beauty family at this moment in your career?

DS: It feels incredibly meaningful. I’m at a point in my career where I want every step I take to feel true to myself, and joining the YSL Beauty family reflects that. The brand has always been about authenticity and self-expression, which aligns perfectly with where I am personally and professionally. To be a U.S. Voice for MYSLF ABSOLU at this moment feels like a perfect next chapter. 

MYSLF ABSOLU can be discovered at YSLBeautyUS.com, and department stores.