Celeste: Get to know the BRIT Award winner
'Not Your Muse' went straight to Number 1!
Celeste is certainly a musical force to be reckoned with. After starting 2020 off in a huge way - winning the BRITs Rising Star Award in February - she, like the rest of us, spent most of the year in lockdown. BUT, she was able to have some creative output, performing gigs from home, contributing to film soundtracks AND performing the song for the 2020 John Lewis Christmas advert - 'A Little Love'.
Celeste released her debut album, 'Not Your Muse', in January 2021, featuring her songs 'Strange', 'Stop This Flame' and 'Love is Back'. She also performed at the BAFTAs 2021. In 2022, Celeste even joined Jools Holland on tour! Here we take a closer look at the singer-songwriter...
Celeste: Early beginnings
Celeste Epiphany Waite, known simply by her first name, is 29-years-old and was born on 5th May 1994 in Los Angeles where she lived until she was one and a half. The singer/songwriter then moved to near London, before moving to Brighton when she was five. After living in Brighton for many years, she later moved back to London, where she has been for the past few years.
At a young age she enjoyed singing, and did weekend ballet classes at a stage school, where one day her singing was noticed by a teacher. The teacher was so impressed, she was later offered a scholarship.
Which BRIT Award did Celeste win?
Celeste won the 2020 BRITs Rising Star award, which was previously called the Critics' Choice. Her win was announced in December 2019 and in response to the exciting news the singer said, "It’s a huge honour to be the recipient of the BRITs Rising Star Award 2020.
"Like many others, I grew up watching the BRITs and have been continually inspired by its nominees, winners and the performances. I hope to make the most of this incredible opportunity and I can’t wait to perform on the BRITS next year."
The highly prestigious BRITs Rising Star award recognises artists who will make the biggest impact on music in the coming year. Previous winners of the award include Adele, Sam Smith, Rag 'n' Bone Man and Ellie Goulding.
Did Celeste perform at the 2020 BRIT Awards?
Yes she did! Celeste gave an incredible performance of 'Strange' at the 2020 BRIT Awards with Mastercard. Other singers announced to perform on the night included BRIT Award nominees, Lewis Capaldi, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Mabel, and Stormzy.
WATCH: Celeste - Strange (Live from The BRIT Awards 2020)
Celeste's most successful songs
Celeste has released a number of songs over the years, she was first noticed after uploading a video to YouTube. The video was for her song 'Sirens' written as a tribute to her dad who passed away a year earlier from lung cancer.
Since then, in 2016 she has released 'Daydreaming' under Lily Allen's record label, followed by her debut EP, 'The Milk & the Honey'. Her EP featured three tracks, 'Milk & Honey', 'Chocolate' and 'Daydreaming'.
Celeste released 'Strange' in September 2019 followed by her music video, which has now had more than 1 million views. The music video was filmed in Bulgaria and she told Dork that the video: "Begins at the end and comes full circle. Representing the reckless behaviours which can lead you from being lovers to strangers."
WATCH: Celeste's music video for 'Strange'
Celeste: 'Stop This Flame'
In 2020 Celeste's first single was 'Stop This Flame', the song's music video was filmed in New Orleans and starts with a man playing the piano in the middle of the road, with a number of people dancing behind him.
The song was co-written by Celeste and the soul legend, Nina Simone, along with Jamie Hartman.
Celeste's soundtracks
Celeste on the John Lewis Christmas advert
Celeste lent her beautiful vocals and talented songwriting ability to the 2020 John Lewis Christmas advert. The song, an original written by Celeste purely for the advert, is called 'A Little Love', and promotes the message of the advert - to be kind.
The Trial Of The Chicago 7
Celeste contributed to the soundtrack of Netflix film The Trial Of The Chicago 7, released on the platform in October 2020. Singing three songs for the soundtrack, Celeste performed 'Hear My Dream', 'Take the Hill (Hear My Screams)' and 'Hear My Voice' - which served as the lead single off the soundtrack album and has been nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Original Song.
Celeste's debut album
Celeste's debut album 'Not Your Muse' was released on 26th February 2021, having been postponed from various dates throughout 2020 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Singles from the album include 'Strange', 'Stop This Flame', 'A Little Love' and 'Love is Back'.
Of the album, Celeste has said: ''Not Your Muse' is the power I found when I felt powerless... In making this album I have allowed myself to arrive at a place where I feel empowered, fiercely wide-eyed and fulfilled.
'I'm very proud of what I've achieved on my debut album and to be in this position, after the year that has been, I feel nothing but gratitude and excitement. I hope you enjoy it.'
Is Celeste on tour?
Celeste joined Jools Holland on his 2022 Autumn/Winter UK tour. Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra performed 31 dates across the country, including dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall, York Barbican and many more.
Along with Celeste, Jools was accompanied by Joss Stone, Vic Reeves, Lulu, Roland Gift and Chris Difford on selected dates.
Celeste appeared at Newcastle’s O2 City Hall, Leicester’s De Montfort Hall (as well as Lulu), and at both London Royal Albert Hall dates on 25th/26th November, in addition to Roland Gift.
Now take a look at other BRITs Rising Star Award winners:
Adele: 2008
Adele won the award in 2008 and has since gone on to enjoy world domination. The singer has released four albums, '19', '21' ,'25' and most recently, '30' in November 2021.
With hits like 'Rolling In The Deep', 'Chasing Pavements' and 'Easy On Me', it is no surprise the singer is adored across the world by fans.
After making her comeback to music in 2021, Adele hasn't slowed down since, with the singer currently enjoying a stint in Las Vegas.
Florence & The Machine: 2009
Florence Welch of Florence & The Machine was given the award in 2009, much to her fans' delight. The singer went on to release amazing albums and perform at sell-out shows across the world.
Ellie Goulding: 2010
Ellie Goulding was crowned the winner of the award in 2010.
Ellie went on to release five massive albums, with her latest arriving in 2023. She teamed up again with Calvin Harris in 2023 on the track 'Miracle', which the pair performed at The BRITs 2024.
Jessie J: 2011
Jessie J won the award in 2011 and has smashed the charts ever since. After releasing her debut album 'Who You Are' in 2011, Jessie went on to achieve global success with hits like 'Domino', 'Price Tag' and 'Bang Bang' featuring Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
Emeli Sande: 2012
Emeli won in 2012 and released her massive debut album 'Our Version Of Events' in the same year.
The singer went on to perform at the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012. She then went on to wow fans across the world with her incredible vocals on hits like 'Clown', 'Next To Me' and 'Heaven'.
Tom Odell: 2013
Singer-songwriter Tom Odell won the award in 2013, going on to release five albums since. His fifth album 'Best Day Of My Life' was released in October 2022.
Sam Smith: 2014
Since winning the award in 2014, Sam Smith hasn't look back! The vocalist has released four massive albums which include hits like 'Too Good At Goodbyes', 'One Last Song' and 'Promises'.
After teaming up with Calvin Harris in 2018, Sam then worked with former Fifth Harmony singer Normani on the track 'Dancing With A Stranger' and has since dropped tracks such as 'Unholy' and 'Gloria'.
James Bay: 2015
One year after winning the award in 2015, James Bay went on to win a BRIT Award for Best British Male Solo Artist in 2016.
The singer has since released amazing singles such as 'Hold Back The River' and 'Let It Go'.
Jack Garratt: 2016
Jack Garratt won in 2016 and continues to wow his fans with his vocal. The singer dropped his debut album 'Phase' in February 2016. Jack released his second album 'Love, Death & Dancing' in 2020.
Rag'N'Bone Man: 2017
Since Rag'n'Bone Man won the award in 2017, the singer has gone on to massive things.
Not only did he drop the massive hit 'Human', Rag'n'Bone Man, real name Rory Graham, teamed up with Calvin Harris on the amazing song 'Giants', with the pair working together again in 2024 on 'Lovers In A Past Life'.
Jorja Smith: 2018
Singer-songwriter Jorja Smith won the award in 2018 at the age of just 20.
Since winning the award last year, Jorja has released her debut album 'Lost & Found' which was positively received by fans.
Sam Fender: 2019
Sam Fender has become hugely popular over the last couple of years, so it's no surprise he won the award in 2019. His debut album 'Hypersonic Missiles' was adored by fans.
Sam dropped his second album ' Seventeen Going Under' in October 2021 and has since sold out shows across the world.
Celeste: 2020
British singer-songwriter Celeste won the prestigious award in 2020, going on to perform at the 2020 ceremony. After her victory, Celeste released her debut studio album in January 2021 and her single 'A Little Love' featured on the 2020 John Lewis Christmas ad.
Griff: 2021
Singer-songwriter Griff picked up the award in 2021. Gushing over her win, she said: "In my head I'm still screaming from the phone call when I found out. It's honestly such a miracle: how on earth did we manage to win a BRIT and break through during a pandemic?"
Holly Humberstone: 2022
Holly Humberstone picked up the award, now named the Rising Star Award, in 2022. She is known for her tracks 'London Is Lonely' and 'Falling Asleep At The Wheel'.
On receiving the award, Holly said: "I remember watching the BRITs with my parents each year and being totally awe struck by the artists coming together in what felt like another universe. Now to be named the BRITs Rising Star and nominated alongside two other incredible women, with the songs that started within those four walls at home is so mad. It just doesn't feel real. This year has been a wild ride and a year of firsts, and I am so grateful and thankful for everyone who has helped make this happen!"
FLO: 2023
The 2023 Rising Star Award went to girl group FLO, known for their songs 'Cardboard Box', 'Not My Job' and 'Immature'. They said of their win: "From growing up watching the BRITs, to finding each other and forming FLO, releasing our first body of work in 2022 and winning a BRIT award in the same year!! We are so shocked and grateful. We are the first group to win the BRITs Rising Star! We've just made history and couldn't have done it without our wonderful fans and supportive families. It's truly a dream come true. We feel so empowered creating the music we love and we hope others feel that too."
The Last Dinner Party: 2024
The Last Dinner Party were announced as the winners of the 2024 award after a stratospheric rise to fame. The five-piece from London started out only in 2020, giving their first performance in 2021 - so it's a pretty impressive trajectory.
They said of the win: "We are so proud beyond measure to have won the BRITs Rising Star. It's an honour to achieve something so iconic so early on in our career and we can only hope to keep making music that connects with all the incredible people who have listened to and supported us so far. Thank you!"
Myles Smith: 2025
Myles Smith was announced as the winner of the 2025 award ahead of Elmiene and Good Neighbours. Myles said of his victory: "Winning the BRIT award for Rising Star is such a surreal moment. Music has always been about connecting with people, and to see it resonate on this level is incredible. I'm so grateful to my team, my family, and especially the fans who've supported me every step of the way. Your belief in me means everything. This is just the beginning, and I'm so excited for what's to come—thank you for being part of this journey."
WATCH: Celeste at the BRIT Awards
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