Celeste: Get to know the singer

Celeste started off 2020 in a pretty huge way. After winning the BRITs Rising Star Award in February 2020, 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, she was nominated for the Jazz FM Awards 2020 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. Here we take a closer look at the singer-songwriter...

Celeste: Early beginnings

Celeste Epiphany Waite, known simply by her first name, is 26-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 four 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, 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.

Celeste sang at the 2020 ceremony, giving an incredible performance of 'Strange' - watch it below.

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'

Celeste released her first single of 2020 '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

John Lewis Christmas advert 2020

Celeste lent her beautiful vocals and talented songwriting ability to the John Lewis 2020 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 later performed the track at the 2021 BAFTAs, sharing a short clip to Instagram.

Celeste's debut album

Celeste's debut album Not Your Muse was released on 29th January 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.'

She also announced that she has tentatively booked in some shows to perform in September 2021, in Brighton, Southampton, London and Leeds among others.

Celeste's awards

Celeste's win at the BRIT Awards 2020 has been her biggest achievement so far, but she was also nominated at the Jazz FM Awards 2020 for the Soul Act of the Year. Although she missed out to Phillip Bailey, it's still a fantastic achievement.

Now take a look at the Jazz FM 2020 Award winners:

You can hear Celeste on the Jazz FM playlist.

How to listen to Jazz FM:

Listen to Jazz FM across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, via the play button below and by asking your smart speaker to "play Jazz FM".

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