Michael Clifford

Australian musician, singer, songwriter and producer known as the lead guitarist and one of the vocalists of 5 Seconds of Summer. With the group, he achieved international recognition through songs including She Looks So Perfect, Youngblood, Teeth and Complete Mess. In 2025, he contributed to the band's sixth album, Everyone's a Star!, which made 5SOS the first act whose first six studio albums all reached number one in Australia, and he continued promoting it on a world tour throughout 2026.

He grew up in the Sydney suburb of Quakers Hill and attended Norwest Christian College, where he met Calum Hood and Luke Hemmings. He began playing guitar during childhood and performed in his school's band. In 2011, he joined Hemmings and Hood in uploading cover songs to YouTube; Ashton Irwin later completed the 5 Seconds of Summer line-up.

The group's early popularity increased when One Direction selected them as an opening act for the 2013 Take Me Home Tour. Clifford subsequently contributed to the writing, performance and production of much of 5SOS's catalogue. He has also spoken publicly about anxiety, depression and the importance of seeking professional help. In 2015, he sustained minor burns when his hair came into contact with a pyrotechnic device during a concert in London.

In 2025, he released SIDEQUEST, his debut solo album, combining pop punk with electronic elements and lyrics addressing insecurity, fame, love and personal growth. The record included collaborations with Porter Robinson, Waterparks and Ryan Hall, as well as songs including Cool, Enough, Remember When and Kill Me for Always.

He is the only child of Karen and Daryl Clifford, who operated a computer business near Quakers Hill. His parents were initially concerned about his decision to leave conventional education to pursue music but ultimately supported the band's professional development.

He began dating former talent manager Crystal Leigh in 2016. They became engaged in Bali in January 2019 and married in a private Los Angeles ceremony on January 11, 2021. They have two daughters: Lua Stevie, born in October 2023, and Sadie May, born in November 2025.

He performs in 5 Seconds of Summer with Luke Hemmings, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin. The band has worked and toured with artists including One Direction and The Chainsmokers, while Clifford's solo collaborators include Porter Robinson and Waterparks. He has also written music with songwriters and producers such as John Feldmann, Julia Michaels, Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi.