Biography

Celeste Epiphany Waite (born May 5, 1994) is a gifted British singer and songwriter known professionally as Celeste. She achieved an impressive feat in 2019 by claiming the top spot in the prestigious BBC’s Sound of… poll. This annual survey gathers the insights of music critics and industry experts, identifying the most promising new talents for the year ahead.

In January 2021, Celeste unveiled her debut album, Not Your Muse, a work that garnered critical acclaim for its soulful melodies and introspective lyrics. The album boasts standout singles like “Strange” and “Stop This Flame,” showcasing her powerful vocals and distinctive style.

Despite the challenges posed by a global pandemic, Celeste forged connections with her audience through virtual concerts and insightful interviews, solidifying her status as a rising star in the music industry. 

Celeste
Celeste: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photo
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:	Celeste Epiphany Waite
Stage Name:	Celeste
Born:	5 May 1994 (age 30 years old)
Place of Birth:	Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality:	British
Education:	Irish Modern Music Institute
Height:	1.82 m
Parents:	N/A
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Not Married
Boyfriend • Partner:	Sonny Hall
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Singer • Songwriter
Net Worth:	$1 million-$5 million

Early Life & Education

Celeste, having a multicultural heritage, was born on May 5, 1994, in Culver City, California, to a Jamaican father and an English mother. Her love affair with music ignited during her Los Angeles upbringing, where she attended a performing arts high school.

At 18, Celeste ventured across the Atlantic to London, where she signed with Polydor Records. Her soulful, emotive voice quickly captivated audiences, leading to the release of her debut EP, The Milk & the Honey, in 2017. 

Celeste‘s star ascended with awards, including the Rising Star Award at the 2020 BRIT Awards and collaborations with artists like Disclosure and Little Simz. Her journey, shaped by talent, dedication, and education at County High School for the Arts and the British and Irish Modern Music Institute, inspires aspiring musicians worldwide.

Career

Celeste‘s journey in the world of music is nothing short of extraordinary. Her story begins in 2014 when, at the tender age of 16, she “accidentally” composed her debut song, Sirens, a poignant tribute to her late father. The song, inspired by personal loss, found its way to YouTube, catching the ear of her current manager. This serendipitous encounter led her to Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, where her songwriting prowess left the studio crew astounded.

At 18, after completing her education, Celeste delved into music wholeheartedly, captivating audiences in and around Brighton with her soulful sound. Her musical education continued at Varndean College, where she studied Music Technology, further honing her craft.

Technology was pivotal in her journey, as she opted for a MacBook laptop instead of driving lessons for her 18th birthday. This laptop became her canvas, enabling her to record her first SoundCloud song, Born Again, in July 2014. This ethereal track, produced by Tev’n, seamlessly blended soulful vocals with an electronic R&B groove, catching the attention of music enthusiasts.

Throughout 2014, Celeste‘s SoundCloud offerings, including DEVIL and What’s Your Poison?, gained traction. In November, these tracks were woven into a self-titled EP, characterized by a fusion of melancholic pop and glitchy electronic elements.

Notably, Celeste embarked on her BBC musical journey in 2014 by uploading North Circular to the BBC Music Introducing website, garnering the support of BBC Radio 1 DJs. She collaborated with British dance producer Tieks, contributing her vocals to his debut single, Sing That Song, which reached No. 90 on the UK Singles Chart. Her talent extended beyond solo work as she joined electronic duo Real Lies as a vocalist during their tour with Foals in 2015.

Education remained a cornerstone of Celeste‘s artistic journey. She completed her GCE Advanced Levels in Music and Textiles in 2016. Her dedication and perseverance propelled her forward, eventually leading to her role as a vocalist for the electronic duo Real Lies while they toured with Foals in 2015.

Celeste‘s debut single, Daydreaming, released under Lily Allen‘s record label, Bank Holiday Records, in October 2016, marked a significant milestone. The song, produced by JD. Reid and Tev’n was born from her experiences working at a local pub in Rottingdean. She reminisced, “I couldn’t wait to leave! I was pulling pints and listening to Shirley Bassey, imagining I was in Carnegie Hall performing in floor-length fur.”

December 2016 witnessed her radio debut when BBC Radio 1 presenter Annie Mac played Daydreaming and introduced Celeste as one of her New Names. The song’s enchanting melody soon appeared on the BBC Radio 1Xtra playlist in February 2017.

Her debut EP, The Milk & the Honey, arrived in March 2017 under Bank Holiday Records, featuring tracks like Milk & Honey, Chocolate, and Daydreaming. Milk & Honey delved into themes of aspirations, love, and reminiscences, painting a vivid musical landscape.

Celeste‘s vocal prowess on Chocolate drew comparisons to the legendary Billie Holiday. The EP gained further recognition when it received support from Beats 1 presenter Julie Adenuga.

Post-EP release, Celeste embarked on a month-long residency at Laylow in Ladbroke Grove. Here, she began to capture the attention of celebrities like Riz Ahmed and Idris Elba, transcending the bounds of her musical tapestry. Impressed by her talent, Spike Lee even sought her autograph during this period.

Her musical journey continued as she joined Rae Morris for her second-ever UK tour in September 2017, solidifying her presence in the music industry.

October 2017 saw the release of the promotional single Not For Me. This heartfelt composition explored themes of unrequited love and disillusionment with her hometown, London. Celeste initially intended for the song to be part of her first EP, The Milk & the Honey, but it became an independent single.

Further showcasing her versatility, Celeste embarked on her third supporting tour alongside the band Skinny Living, in October 2017. Her journey culminated with a mesmerizing performance supporting Roy Ayers at The Jazz Café in London in late November 2017.

Celeste‘s talent caught the eye of Polydor Records, where she flourished under the label’s wing. Her singles Lately and a live version of Both Sides of the Moon in 2018 showcased her musical evolution. These tracks, recorded by UK production collective Gotts Street Park, served as a prelude to her second EP, Lately, scheduled for release in March 2019.

“Father’s Son,” released in January 2019, delved into the poignant theme of absent fathers. Tom Robinson‘s support on BBC Radio 6 Music in March 2019 further bolstered Celeste‘s profile. Both Sides of the Moon also made waves on BBC Radio 1, thanks to Annie Mac and Huw Stephens.

In December 2018, Celeste joined Warner Chappell Music Publishing Company, fortifying her presence in the music industry.

March 2019 marked the release of her second extended play, Lately. The five-track EP, featuring gems like Both Sides of the Moon (Live), Lately, Father’s Son, Summer (ft. Jeshi), and Ugly Thoughts, made its mark on various iTunes charts across Europe.

Celeste‘s showcase at SXSW under BBC Radio 1 in March 2019 and her BBC Music Introducing session at Maida Vale Studios in April 2019 underscored her rising prominence.

May 2019 witnessed her supporting Neneh Cherry at the Brighton Festival, followed by riveting performances on the BBC Music Introducing stage at Glastonbury Festival and at Field Day in June 2019.

NME described her debut Primavera Sound set in June 2019 as “spellbinding,” predicting a brighter future on larger stages. In the latter half of 2019, Celeste unveiled four singles: Coco Blood, She’s My Sunshine, and both studio and live versions of Strange. Coco Blood celebrated her British-Jamaican heritage, and the music video was filmed in Jamaica.

Her collaboration with Mulberry in June 2019 marked another milestone, as she performed at the inaugural #MulberryMyLocal event in London. Celeste‘s ethereal voice graced the acclaimed BBC documentary program Black Hollywood: They Gotta Have Us in July 2019, reaffirming her versatility.

October 2019 saw her supporting Janelle Monáe in Berlin, and she made her television debut on Later… with Jools Holland, performing Strange.

Elton John, an iconic figure in the music industry, included Strange and She’s My Sunshine in his personal Apple Music playlist in November 2019. Support from James Corden, who praised her song Strange, further elevated her profile.

Celeste embarked on a tour supporting Michael Kiwanuka in November 2019, capping off a remarkable year. Her achievements culminated with the BBC Music Award for BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year in December 2019.

The British Phonographic Industry’s announcement in December 2019 elevated her status even further, as Celeste was declared the winner of the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Brit Awards. A collection of her “best singles so far,” Compilation 1.1, was released, featuring “Strange” and “Coco Blood” as additional tracks. This compilation soared to No. 1 on the UK’s iTunes Chart, a testament to her growing popularity.

2020 marked a pivotal year for Celeste. Predictions from Vogue, The Guardian, NME, GQ, The Independent, and Ticketmaster UK collectively hailed her as a breakthrough act for the year. Her win in the BBC’s music poll Sound of 2020 solidified her rising star position.

“Stop This Flame,” her first single of the year, received widespread acclaim. GQ named her “the most hotly tipped singer for 2020.” This momentum carried her to the forefront of BBC World News during the Breakfast segment, where she first appeared, and “Stop This Flame” debuted on BBC Radio 1 courtesy of Annie Mac.

Celeste‘s Compilation 1.1 reached the pinnacle of the UK’s iTunes Chart following her BBC Sound of 2020 win, further attesting to her burgeoning success.

Late January 2020 marked her American late-night television debut, as she performed “Strange” on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” The front cover of Music Week featured her alongside Maisie Peters in January 2020.

The 2020 Brit Awards brought forth a new chapter in her journey, as she mesmerized attendees like Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Finneas, and Stormzy with her performance of Strange.

Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 list in 2020 recognized her as one of the 30 most influential people in Europe under 30, cementing her status as a cultural luminary.

As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Celeste used her talents to bring solace, performing virtually from her bedroom on The Graham Norton Show to promote social distancing. Her rendition of Bill Withers‘ Lean on Me during the April 2020 fundraiser telecast, The Big Night In, resonated deeply. The charity single, Times Like These, marked her first No. 1 and top 10 entry in the UK.

April 2020 promised her first headlining tour of Europe, but unfortunately, it was canceled due to the pandemic.

May 2020 saw the release of the single I Can See The Change, produced by Grammy-winning musician Finneas. Celeste‘s Best New International Act category nomination at the 2020 BET Awards underscored her global reach.

Her rendition of Bob Marley‘s One Love for Oakley’s For the Love of Sport campaign in August 2020 showcased her ability to breathe new life into classics. In late May 2020, Celeste dropped the non-album single Little Runaway alongside a captivating music video.

Her involvement in the original soundtrack for the film The Trial of the Chicago 7 included the lead single, Hear My Voice, which earned her a nomination for Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards.

Celeste‘s contribution to the John Lewis & Partners Christmas advert with A Little Love marked a historic moment as the first original song and non-cover version to grace this platform.

She illuminated the ninth-season finale of The Voice UK and performed at the 2020 Royal Variety Performance. The 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony featured her Stop This Flame performance and Nat King Cole‘s Smile cover.

Celeste‘s collaboration with American jazz musician Jon Batiste on It’s All Right, inspired by the Disney-Pixar film Soul, further showcased her versatility. December 2020 unveiled her single Love is Back and her performance on Jools’ Annual Hootenanny 2020/21. She later graced the 449th episode of “The Graham Norton Show” in mid-January 2021, leaving an indelible mark.

January 2021 marked the release of her debut studio album, Not Your Muse, which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Her rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in a Super Bowl ad for Inspiration4 added a celestial touch to her repertoire.

At the 2021 Brit Awards, she received nominations for Album of the Year, Best Female Solo Artist, and Best New Artist. Her album, “Not Your Muse,” earned a spot on the shortlist for the 2021 Mercury Prize.

Personal Life

Celeste found harmony in music and love, dating fellow musician Sonny Hall.

Social Media

Celeste is also active on social media, sharing updates about her music, performances, and personal life with her fans. She has a strong following on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where she regularly interacts with her fans and shares behind-the-scenes glimpses into her life as an artist. 

• Instagram handle: Celeste (@celeste)
• Twitter handle: Celeste (@celeste)

Net Worth

Celeste stands as one of the most financially successful singer-songwriters in the industry, boasting a substantial net worth estimated to range between $1 million and $5 million.

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