Role Model Covers Harry Styles ‘Sign of the Times’ in London

Role Model has a lot going for himself. The 27-year-old musician released his second studio album Kansas Anymore back in July and spent a month on the road with Gracie Abrams this fall, opening her Secret of Us tour. He even kicked off his own semi-sold out tour earlier this week. Not only are these opportunities great for his career, they’re also a perfect way to fill the void of having lost People‘s Sexiest Musician Alive title to Harry Styles.

Taking something of an “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” approach to the loss, the artist born Tucker Pillsbury performed a rendition of Styles’ debut solo single “Sign of the Times” during a recent concert in London. He led the crowd in an impassioned singalong, taking a shot at besting Styles on his own home territory. Given the circumstances, the lyric “stop your crying, baby, it’ll be alright” is pretty encouraging.

“I heard about the counts — a lot of you voted for me. But I want to speak to those who voted for Harry Styles,” Role Model said in an Instagram Story video after the results of the People readers’ choice poll were revealed. He faired well, especially having also been up against the likes of Shaboozey and Zach Bryan. Instead of providing three reasons why he would win, his pitch was essentially: “Please let me have this.” It’s not the worst campaign approach we’ve seen this year. At least he had more than a concept of a plan. Still, it wasn’t enough.

“I hope you’re happy,” Role Model told the traitorous, back-stabbing voters who sided with Styles. “I hope your day is made from this, because guess what? His publicist isn’t even going to mention this to him. He won’t know about this. That boy is in Fiji somewhere. That’s how insignificant this is to him. You had an opportunity to really do something for the culture. To create this beautiful ending to an underdog story, and you didn’t.”

Don’t worry, Tucker. You’ll get ’em next time.