12 facts you might not know about the lovely Paloma Faith

Paloma Faith has one of the most unique voices in British music! The 'Only Love Can Hurt Like This' singer released her sixth album 'The Glorification of Sadness' in Spring 2024, and can seemingly do it all. Not only does she have an incredible voice and is an amazingly talented songwriter, but she's also a brilliant performer and actress.

Alongside being a worldwide superstar, Paloma is also a mum of two and has often spoken about how that has impacted her writing. In June 2024, she performed at Glastonbury Festival, so what better time to get to know her a bit better with these 12 facts?

1) What is Paloma Faith's real name?

Technically, it is her real name! She was born Paloma Faith Bloomfield.

2) Where is she from?

Paloma is from Hackney in London, and her dad is Spanish.

3) How old is she?

Paloma's birthday is 21st July 1981, making her currently 43-years-old. In 2014, Paloma admitted that she had lied about her age at the beginning of her career, believing that she'd get further if record executives thought she was younger.

4) How did Paloma Faith become famous?

Paloma took dance lessons as a child, and studied for a degree at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds, before taking on an MA in theatre directing. She worked as a singer in a burlesque cabaret and a bartender in a pub among other things, and began recording in studios before meeting her managers.

The manager of the pub she worked at invited her to front his band, becoming known as Paloma and the Penetrators, and she was scouted by an A&R from Epic Records at one of the band's performances. After turning down the opportunity to join Amy Winehouse's band, and released her debut single 'Stone Cold Sober' in 2009.

5) Which films and TV shows has Paloma Faith been in?

Her first acting role was the role of Andrea in the 2007 remake of St Trinian's, and she had a role as Sally, the Devil's girlfriend, in 2009 film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus as well as a small part in horror film Dread.

She had a role as a cabaret performer in Blandings in 2013, and in 2015 played Tinker Bell in Peter & Wendy, an adaptation of Peter Pan. She was a judge on The Voice UK in 2016 alongside fellow coaches Boy George, Ricky Wilson and will.i.am, and returned to the panel in 2020 for The Voice Kids UK, reuniting with will.i.am and joining McFly's Danny Jones as well as Pixie Lott.

She has also portrayed Florence de Regnier in period drama Dangerous Liaisons alongside Lesley Manville, Carice van Houten and Mia Threapleton among many others.

6) What did she study?

The singer studied for a MA in theatre directing at the University of the Arts in London.

7) What was Paloma Faith's debut album?

Paloma released her debut album 'Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?' in 2009. It charted at Number 9 in the Official UK Charts.

8) Is Paloma Faith married?

Paloma married New Zealand chef Rian Haynes in 2005, but the pair split up after less than a year of being together and were divorced four years later. She spoke about the marriage to Metro.co.uk in 2013: "It was just a young, frivolous thing.

"We were in our early twenties and we did something quickly and realised it was a mistake. But we’re still close. I am still friends with him. All my other relationships were the ones that screwed me up, not that one!"

Paloma met French artist Leyman Lahcine in 2013, welcoming their first daughter together on 5th December 2016, choosing to keep their child out of the public eye but thanking the NHS in a handwritten note on her Instagram page which has since been taken down.

Paloma announced her second pregnancy in September 2020 with a very relatable message, taking to Instagram with a photo of her bump.

Paloma and Leyman welcomed their second daughter in February 2021, again choosing to keep her out of the public eye.

In November 2022, it was reported that Paloma and Leyman had decided to part ways. She began a relationship with creative director Andrew Soar in early 2023, but announced that they'd split in an interview in October 2023.

WATCH: Paloma Faith Reveals How She Manages Touring Now She's A Mum

9) Has Paloma Faith ever had a Number 1?

She scored her first UK Number 1 in 2014 when she appeared on Sigma’s track ‘Changing’, written by Ella Eyre. Her fourth album, 'The Architect', also reached Number 1 after it was released in November 2017.

WATCH: Sigma ft. Paloma Faith - 'Changing' (Official Video)

10) Is Paloma Faith vegan?

Although she's never admitted to begin vegan, Paloma has taken part in many campaigns for animal rights in the past. She told Glamour in 2015: "I'm not actually vegan, but sometimes I like to cook vegan food."

11) Which awards has she won?

She won a BRIT Award for 'Best British Female Solo Artist' at the 2015 Awards, beating the likes of Ella Henderson, FKA Twigs, Jessie Ware and Lily Allen. She was nominated for the same award in 2011, 2013 and 2018.

12) Paloma is going on tour in 2024

Paloma announced the 'The Glorification of Sadness Tour' in October 2023, with a whopping 26 dates confirmed for April to June 2024. The dates supported her sixth studio album of the same name, featuring singles like instant hit 'How You Leave a Man'.

She spoke about the track and the album on podcast Reign with Josh Smith, saying: "It's about the worst breakup I've ever had, because it's the longest relationship I've ever had. We obviously had two kids together, so it's the worst thing that's ever happened to me in my life that I couldn't ignore when I was writing, but also the most private I feel about it because there's kids involved, so it's weird but I'm hoping the songs speak for themselves.

"I find it liberating. I feel like the whole album, when you go from start to finish, it's basically chronicling the stages of grief. It goes from the self-destructive moments to the insular moments to the really vulnerable moments and, actually, the kind of unusual bits for me as a female artist are the empowered moments.

"Even though it's been devastating and hard and all that, through the campaign I'm managing to sprinkle a bit of humour. Oh, let's laugh in the face of adversity, it's quite a sort of camp response to tragedy. But I feel like that in itself is helpful to me. It's kind of group therapy when I go online and people are like, ‘yes, girl!’"

Sadly, Paloma had to cancel her London tour date due to contracting laryngitis. The singer shared a statement with her fans saying: 'It's been taken out of my hands, I have been told I must listen to the medical professionals, so that I am able to return to perform for you, without causing long term damage.'

Scroll through to see all the artists going on tour in the upcoming months:

WATCH: Getting Personal With Paloma Faith

You can hear Paloma Faith's biggest hits on the Northsound 1 playlist.

Now read:

Sigma: 6 of the drum and bass duo's biggest collaborations

Sigala: Everything you need to know about the 'Stay The Night' DJ

9 of Jonas Blue's most popular collabs from 'Fast Car' to 'Polaroid'

How to listen to Northsound 1:

For great music, brilliant banter and incredible competitions tune into Northsound 1 on 96.9, 97.6 or 103.0 FM, online, on our Northsound app, your DAB digital radio, or say ‘Play Northsound 1’ on your Smart Speaker. We give you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.

• paloma faith
• Ella Eyre
• BRIT Awards