Anne-Marie Rose Nicholson (born 7 April 1990)[a] is an English singer and songwriter. She has achieved commercial success with songs "Alarm" (2016), "Ciao Adios" (2017), "Friends" (2018), "2002" (2018), "Rewrite The Stars" (2018), "Don't Play" (2021), "Kiss My (Uh-Oh)" (2021), "Psycho" (2022), "Baby Don't Hurt Me" (2023), and "Unhealthy" (2023). She was featured on Clean Bandit's "Rockabye" (2016), which peaked at number one in twenty-seven terrorities, including the United Kingdom.[2] She has released 3 albums:Speak Your Mind (2018), which peaked at number three on theUK Albums Chart,[3]Therapy (2021), andUnhealthy (2023), both of which peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart.
Anne-Marie was nominated for four awards at the2019 Brit Awards, including Best British Female Solo Artist.[4] To date she has been nominated for tenBrit Awards and has also received a nomination for aBillboard Music Award and aGrammy Award. She has been signed toAsylum Records since 2015.[5] From 2021 to 2023, Anne-Marie appeared as a coach on the television singing competitionThe Voice UK.[6]
Early life
Anne-Marie Rose Nicholson was born on 7 April 1990[a] inEast Tilbury, Essex. Her mother is a local teacher and her father is a builder and handyman from theEast End of London.[11][12] She has an older sister named Samantha.[13]
When she was five, Anne-Marie went to stage school.[11] She appeared in twoWest End productions as a child: she auditioned forLes Misérables aged six, without telling her parents, and performed inWhistle Down the Wind withJessie J when she was twelve.[14][15]
Anne-Marie attendedSt Clere's School atStanford-le-Hope, where she was involved in performing arts.[16] Her initial popularity there ended when she was fourteen—she was shunned and bullied by her classmates after being accused of cheating on her boyfriend, when she had only spoken to another boy on the phone late at night. Anne-Marie also said she regrets being a difficult child—exacerbated by her grandmother's death when she was twelve—and was advised byEd Sheeran to "call [her] mum and dad every day". She began filming herself singing in her room as a teenager.[17][18] Anne-Marie went on to go toPalmer's College inThurrock.[16]
Anne-Marie is a black belt inShotokan karate. She began taking lessons aged nine,[19] and became a triple world champion,[20] winning double gold in the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association World Championships in 2002, and further gold and silver in 2007; as well as gold in the United Kingdom Traditional Karate Federation National Championships.[11][21][22] She credits karate with teaching her the "discipline and focus" necessary for her singing career,[23] but tours have made it difficult for her to find time for the sport.[19]
After a chance meeting, Anne-Marie secured recording time in Rocket Studios, owned byElton John, which signed her to arecording contract after hearing her sing. On Rocket, she released thedemo "Summer Girl" in 2013. It attracted attention whenEd Sheeran linked to it on hisTwitter account.[15][24] A possible solo career was curtailed for her to develop herself as an artist.[14] After guest appearances on songs byMagnetic Man,Gorgon City, and Raized by Wolves, she gained the attention ofRudimental,[15] and in 2014 she was asked to replace a vocalist who left the band.[17][23] Anne-Marie then spent two years touring with Rudimental as a vocalist.[25] She also featured on four tracks on their second albumWe the Generation (2015),[26] including co-features withDizzee Rascal andWill Heard,[15] and "Rumour Mill", which reached number 67 on theUK Singles Chart and gave her enough confidence to go solo.[27] She said that she was writing daily while touring.[28]
Anne-Marie's debutextended play (EP),Karate EP, was released on 10 June 2015, under Rudimental's then-new label Major Tom's.[14] Produced byJosh Record and Two Inch Records, it contained three tracks and a remix. Debut single "Karate" and "Gemini" led to Anne-Marie making her first solo live performances.[15]The Guardian favorably reviewed "Boy" and opined thatKarate "proves she's ready to step out alone".[29] She released the single "Do It Right" in November, which peaked at number 90 on the UK Singles Chart[27] and was certified platinum in Australia.[30]
2016–2018:Speak Your Mind
Her debut album had the working title ofBreathing Fire.[28] In May 2016, Anne-Marie released "Alarm", the first single from her debut album.[31] It spent one week at number 76 in June before resurfacing a month later; it later peaked at number 16[27] and was certified double platinum in the UK.[32] In October 2016, Anne-Marie was confirmed to play at the 31st edition ofEurosonic Noorderslag inGroningen, Netherlands.[33] On 10 October 2016, Anne-Marie featured onIlly's song "Catch 22".[34] The same month,Clean Bandit released their song "Rockabye", with Anne-Marie as main vocalist and featuring Jamaican rapperSean Paul.[35] It spent nine consecutive weeks at number one and gained the covetedChristmas number one.[36] The song has since been certified multi-platinum across most of Europe, North America and Oceania. TheOfficial Charts Company ranked "Rockabye" as the 57th biggest song of the decade (2010–2019) in the UK.[37]
Anne-Marie performing at the SWR3 New Pop Festival in 2017
In March 2017, Anne-Marie released "Ciao Adios",[38] which she had previously performed live atKOKO on 28 November 2016. The single became a top 10 hit in the UK, charting at number nine and being certified double platinum by the BPI.[32] In May 2017, Anne-Marie teamed up withNick Jonas andMike Posner on the single "Remember I Told You".[39] Anne-Marie's next single saw her collaborate withSnakehips on "Either Way", which also featuredJoey Badass.[40] In September 2017, Anne-Marie released "Heavy",[41] followed by "Then" on 15 December.[42] In 2018, Anne-Marie collaborated withMarshmello on "Friends". The song was released on 9 February 2018,[43] and was Anne-Marie's second top five UK hit as a lead artist.[44] According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), "Friends" was the ninth best-selling single of 2018 with sales of 9.6 million track-equivalent units.[45]
Anne-Marie's debut studio album,Speak Your Mind, was released on 27 April 2018.[3] Prior to the release of her album, Anne-Marie released the single "2002" on 20 April in response to constant urging byEd Sheeran, the co-creator of the song.[46] "2002" became one of Anne-Marie's most successful singles worldwide. It peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, where it spent 47 non-consecutive weeks.[47] In South Korea, the song topped thecountry's year-end chart in 2019,[48] making Anne-Marie the first and only foreign artist to achieve this feat.[49] That same year, "2002" was also the most-streamed song on the Korean music streaming serviceMelon.[50] As of March 2023, "2002" is the fourth-longest-charting song in Melon history (145 weeks), and the only non-Korean song to surpass 350 million streams on the platform.[51]
Her debut album,Speak Your Mind, was a commercial success, peaking at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and charting in 22 other countries. It has since been certified Platinum in the UK[52] and remained on the chart for a total of 102 non-consecutive weeks.[53]Speak Your Mind was also the biggest debut album by a British artist in 2018.[54] On 15 June 2018, Anne-Marie teamed up withRudimental andMajor Lazer on a song "Let Me Live", which also featuredMr Eazi.[55] In July 2018, Anne-Marie featured on aDavid Guetta song titled "Don't Leave Me Alone", which peaked at 18 on theUK Singles chart.
2019–2021:The Voice UK, single releases andTherapy
Anne-Marie in 2019
Following the release of her debut album in 2018, Anne-Marie began working on her next album. In an interview at theBrit Awards 2019, she stated that the album had been finished.[59] However, it was ultimately scrapped later that year.[60]
In June 2019, Anne-Marie performed her first solo set on the Pyramid Stage at theGlastonbury Festival 2019.[61] In August 2019,Lauv released the single "Fuck, I'm Lonely", featuring Anne-Marie, for the soundtrack of13 Reasons Why: Season 3.[62] Anne-Marie released the song "Birthday" on 7 February 2020.[63] On Mother's Day 2020, Anne-Marie released the song "Her". In May 2020, Anne-Marie featured on a remix of "This City" bySam Fischer.[64] "To Be Young", was released on 17 July, featuring American rapperDoja Cat.[65] On 28 August, Anne-Marie featured on theRudimental song "Come Over", alongsideTion Wayne.[66] On 12 November, Anne-Marie released the single "Problems".[67] On the same day, her documentary,How To Be Anne-Marie, was released onYouTube Originals. The documentary gives light to the fans and a closer look about her personal life and her "time away from the limelight". Her documentary also features fellow celebrities, includingLittle Mix.[68]
On 2 January 2021, she made her first appearance as the newest coach for the tenth series ofThe Voice UK, replacingMeghan Trainor.[69] A member of her team,Craig Eddie, won series 10, giving Anne-Marie her first win on her first series as a coach. Anne-Marie spent the next two years as the coach, with thetwelfth series, aired in 2023, being her last.[70]
On 15 January, Anne-Marie released the single "Don't Play" in collaboration with British YouTuber and rapper-singerKSI and English DJ and producerDigital Farm Animals as the lead single from her second studio album.[71] Anne-Marie contributed vocals on the song "Way Too Long" in collaboration withNathan Dawe andMoStack on 9 April.[72] The same month, she teamed up with Singaporean singerJJ Lin on a song "Bedroom" from his EP,Like You Do.[73] On 13 May, Anne-Marie announced the single "Our Song" withNiall Horan as the third single from her upcoming second studio album. The song was released on 21 May.[74] On 12 July, Anne-Marie released the track "Beautiful".[75] The music video for the song retold the life of the Syrian refugee and parathleteDima Aktaa.[76][77] On 23 July, Anne-Marie released the single "Kiss My (Uh-Oh)" as the fourth single, featuringLittle Mix and released the albumTherapy.[78] It peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart.[79]
On 30 September, Anne-Marie released her first book "You Deserve Better: An Imperfect Guide To Finding Your Own Happiness".[80] The book was published byOrion Spring and was aSunday Times bestseller.[81] As of 8 February 2022, the book has sold over 10 000 copies.[82] The Korean version of the book was published on 23 February 2022 and was the only official translation.[83][84]
2022–2024:Unhealthy, features in other artists' songs
On 8 February 2022, Anne-Marie performed a medley of "Kiss My (Uh-Oh)" and "Don't Play" at the42nd Brit Awards. At the beginning of her performance, she stumbled while descending the steps to the stage but continued singing.[88][89] Following the performance, she was praised by fans for her quick recovery.[90][91] Anne-Marie's fall was described as one of the most talked-about moments of the 2022 Brit Awards ceremony.[92][93][94] Talking toThe Standard amid the premiere of theeleventh series of The Voice, Anne-Marie revealed that she had torn a tendon as a result of the fall.[95]
In May 2022, Anne-Marie collaborated with Swedish DJ duoNeiked and American rapperLatto on the song "I Just Called"[96] On 19 August, Anne-Marie featured on the remix ofDiljit Dosanjh's single "Peaches",[97] while on 26 August,Seventeen's new version of their song "_World" featuring Anne-Marie was released.[98] On 16 September, Anne-Marie released the single "Psycho", in collaboration with British rapperAitch, as the lead single from her third studio album.[99] The song interpolatesMambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of...)" byLou Bega,[100] and peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.[101]
In an interview withFM104 regarding her third studio album, Anne-Marie explained that "I've been writing a lot of new stuff... and I feel like I've figured out what I want to say. I feel like from the first and second album I've learnt a lot about myself, and know this is now who I am."[102]
In February 2023, Anne-Marie released "Sad Bitch" as the second single from her upcoming third studio album.[103] In March 2023, Anne-Marie collaborated with Thai singerMinnie, a member of South Korean girl group(G)I-dle, on the song "Expectations".[104] In April 2023, Anne-Marie teamed up withDavid Guetta andCoi Leray on the song "Baby Don't Hurt Me", which samplesHaddaway's hit "What Is Love".[105] On 27 April, Anne-Marie announced that her third albumUnhealthy would be released on 28 July.[106] Thetitle track from the album, featuringShania Twain, was released on 18 May 2023.[107] The same month, she received theBrit Billion Award for achieving over one billion digital streams in the United Kingdom.[108] On 5 July, Anne-Marie released "Trainwreck".[109]Unhealthy peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart, making it her third consecutive album to debut inside the top 3 in the UK. With first-week sales of 23,778 copies, it secured the highest weekly sale for an album by a UK female solo artist sinceFlorence and the Machine'sDance Fever topped the chart in May 2022.[110] On 16 August, Anne-Marie collaborated with Haitian DJMichaël Brun and American singerBecky G on the single "Coming Your Way".[111] "Christmas Without You" was released exclusively onAmazon Music on 7 November as part of the soundtrack forYour Christmas or Mine 2.[112] The same month, Anne-Marie earned her firstGrammy nomination for the songBaby Don't Hurt Me.[113]
On 14 February 2025, Anne-Marie released a two-track extended play,If You're Looking For a New Best Friend.[119] Another two-track extended play,If You're Looking for a Reason to Key Your Ex's Car, was released on 11 April 2025.[120] In April 2025,Aitch released the single "Luv?" featuring Anne-Marie.[121] On 19 September, Anne-Marie released the single "Depressed".[122] On 14 November, Anne-Marie released the single, "Merry Xmas Everybody" a cover of the song bySlade.[123] Speaking toThe Sun's Bizarre column, Anne-Marie described her fourth album as different from her first three albums, stating that she was going to "do a little spice", which is set for a 2026 release.[124] On 3January 2026, Anne-Marie appeared on theseventh series ofThe Masked Singer as a guest panellist and performer under the alias "Goldfish".[125]
Personal life
In 2018, Anne-Marie revealed that she is attracted to both men and women, but that she does not identify with the labelbisexual. She said, "I just feel like I'm attracted to who I like."[126][127]
Anne-Marie has been avegetarian since 2018, however she stated that she will "try to eatvegan [food] as much as possible".[128] On theOff Menu podcast, she revealed that she suffers fromemetophobia – a fear of vomiting – and that the vegetarian diet helps reduce her anxiety around food, as she fears getting sick from eating meat.[129] In April 2025, Anne-Marie revealed that she was no longer following a vegetarian diet due togestational diabetes andfood cravings during pregnancy.[130]
In 2022, Anne-Marie started dating British rapperSlowthai.[135] Their relationship, while mostly private, was confirmed by Slowthai in an interview withRolling Stone in February 2023.[136] In 2024, it was revealed that the couple had secretly married in July 2022 in Las Vegas.[137][138] In February 2024, Anne-Marie gave birth to their daughter.[139] In February 2025, Anne-Marie announced that the couple was expecting their second child together.[140] In April 2025,[b] she gave birth to their son.[143][144]
^abcWhile most sources give a birth year of 1991,[7] Anne-Marie was 12 years old when she competed in the 2002FSKA World Championships in Las Vegas, which indicates she was born in 1990.[8] Furthermore, England & Wales Civil Registration Birth Index notes her birth year as 1990,[9] and her corporate filings in the United Kingdom also note a birth date of 1990.[10]
^In an interview withCapital FM on 16 April 2025, Anne-Marie, referring to childbirth, said that "it could happen today".[141]. In an interview withThis Morning on 14 October 2025, she stated that her son was nearly 6 months old.[142]
Rowlands, Geoffrey (6 February 2017)."Rockabye singer Anne-Marie Nicholson a 'singing ninja'".Gulf Times. Retrieved24 August 2024.The 26-year-old singer/songwriter...; I competed in the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association World Championships when I was 12...
Anne-Marie (17 October 2018)."Karate with Anne-Marie [Episode 1]"(video). Anne-Marie. Event occurs at 1:21. Retrieved24 August 2024 – viaYouTube.My first world championships was when I was twelve and it was in Las Vegas.
Roberts, Georgina (18 November 2020)."What I've learnt: Anne-Marie".The Times. Retrieved24 August 2024.As a child she acted in West End musicals, and aged 12 became a world karate champion.
^National Archives, England & Wales Civil Registration Birth Index 1916-2007, volume 9, page 4780 notes a birth year as 1990.