H.E.R. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids H.E.R.
H.E.R. in 2022
Background information
Birth name	Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson
Also known as	Gabi Wilson
Born	(1997-06-27) June 27, 1997 (age 27) Vallejo, California, U.S.
Genres	R&B
Occupations	Singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	2011–present
Labels	RCA MBK

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson (born June 27, 1997), known as H.E.R. (which stands for "Having Everything Revealed"), is an American singer and songwriter. She has won many important awards. These include an Academy Award, a Children's and Family Emmy Award, and five Grammy Awards. She has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and other music awards.

She first recorded music using her real name, Gabi Wilson. In 2016, she started using the stage name H.E.R. She signed with RCA Records and released her first extended play (EP), H.E.R. Volume 1, in September 2016. After this, she released four more EPs. Her first compilation album, H.E.R. (2017), became very popular. It reached number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart. This album won two Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance for her song "Best Part".

Her second compilation album, I Used to Know Her (2019), was also very successful. It received five Grammy Award nominations. These included Album of the Year and Song of the Year for her song "Hard Place". In 2021, she won her third Grammy Award for Song of the Year. This was for her song "I Can't Breathe," which was inspired by important social protests.

In the same year, her song "Fight for You" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. This song was from the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance. Her first studio album, Back of My Mind (2021), was praised by critics. It reached number six on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2022, she won a Children's and Family Emmy Award. This was for her work on Barack and Michelle Obama's animated children's series, We the People.

Early Life and Family Background

Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson was born on June 27, 1997, in Vallejo, California. Her mother is Filipino and her father is Black. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.

H.E.R. shared in an interview that her father was a musician. He played in a cover band and they often practiced in their living room. Many people in her mother's family also played instruments like guitar, drums, and bass. They were also singers, often performing at karaoke events. H.E.R. says these early experiences greatly influenced her music.

Music Career Journey

Early Career Beginnings (2007–2011)

When she was ten, Gabriella performed as Gabi Wilson. She played an Alicia Keys song on the piano for the Today Show. She also sang Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love" at the famous Apollo Theater in New York City.

At age nine, she acted in the Nickelodeon TV movie School Gyrls. She also appeared on TV shows like Maury (2007), Good Morning America, and The View (both in 2008). At this time, Will Smith's company, Overbrook Entertainment, managed her career. At age 12, she performed at the 2010 BET Awards. She sang Alicia Keys' hit song "Fallin'" and paid tribute to Keys at the ASCAP Awards. She also competed on Radio Disney's The Next BIG Thing with her song "My Music."

Signing a Record Deal (2011–2016)

In 2011, when she was 14, Wilson signed a record deal with Sony's RCA Records. This deal was made through her manager Jeff Robinson's company, MBK Entertainment. In 2014, her first song "Something to Prove" was released under her real name.

Breakthrough Success (2016–2019)

H.E.R. performing in 2018

In late 2016, Wilson changed her stage name to H.E.R. She released her first EP, H.E.R. Vol. 1, on September 9, 2016. Many famous artists supported her, including Usher, Tyrese, Pusha T, and Wyclef Jean. Her labelmates Alicia Keys and Bryson Tiller also helped spread the word about her music.

In April 2017, the singer Rihanna shared an Instagram video with H.E.R.'s song "Focus" playing. This video was watched over 5 million times. Other celebrities like Issa Rae, Taraji P. Henson, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner also showed their support.

NPR magazine called H.E.R. Vol. 1 one of the "5 Essential R&B Albums You Slept On." Rolling Stone magazine included H.E.R. in its "10 Artists You Need To Know" list in March 2017. Forbes magazine named her one of "5 Alternative R&B Artists to Look Out for in 2017." They noted that her image remained a mystery, which was interesting because her name H.E.R. means "Having Everything Revealed."

Her next EP, H.E.R. Vol. 2, was released on June 16, 2017. It included the song "Say It Again." She then went on tour with Bryson Tiller and finished her own "Lights On Tour." She released H.E.R. Vol. 2, The B Sides on October 20, 2017. The full compilation album H.E.R. was released on the same day. This album won Best R&B Album at the 61st Grammy Awards. It also received four other nominations, including Album of the Year.

In September 2018, Wilson announced her "I Used to Know H.E.R. Tour." This tour supported her EPs I Used to Know Her: The Prelude and I Used to Know Her: Part 2. Her second compilation album, I Used to Know Her, came out on August 30, 2019. She performed at the 2019 Global Citizen Festival in New York. She also performed at the 2019 Rock in Rio festival in Brazil.

Recent Achievements (2020–present)

H.E.R performing as opening act for Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour in 2022.

On September 20, 2020, she sang Prince's song "Nothing Compares 2 U" at the Primetime Emmy Awards. In February 2021, she performed "America the Beautiful" at Super Bowl LV. On June 17, 2021, her song "Damage" became a top hit on US R&B radio. This song is from her first full album, Back of My Mind, released on June 18, 2021.

In August 2021, it was announced that Wilson would act in the 2023 movie The Color Purple. She plays the role of Squeak. She also sings a duet with Tauren Wells called "Hold Us Together." On November 30, 2021, Apple Music Awards named H.E.R. the Songwriter of the Year.

H.E.R. joined Usher's performance at Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024. She played electric guitar during his songs "U Got It Bad" and "Bad Girl." On February 13, 2024, H.E.R. announced she had a new management team.

Musical Style and Influences

H.E.R.'s songs are mostly R&B ballads. They are often described as "vulnerable and strong at the same time." H.E.R. has said she grew up listening to Filipino ballad singers like Sharon Cuneta and Jay R. She also says Prince is one of her biggest influences.

She has explained why she kept her identity a secret at first. She said, "The mystery is a metaphor for who I am, or who I was at the time of creating the project." She wanted the focus to be on the music and emotions, not on her appearance. She added, "I am a voice for women who feel like they're alone in these situations." She believes this is a time when artists want the music to speak for itself.

Media Appearances

H.E.R. appeared as herself in the movie Yes Day (2021). She performed her song "Change" on the 2021 Netflix animated series We the People. On July 20, 2022, it was announced that H.E.R. would sing the role of Belle for ABC's Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. This TV special aired on December 15, 2022.

She sang the National Anthem at Game 1 of the 2023 World Series. On October 28, 2023, she made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live. She performed “The Glass” with Foo Fighters. Her first big movie role was in The Color Purple, released on December 25, 2023. On August 11, 2024, she sang the national anthem of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner", at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Back of My Mind (2021)

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Tours

Headlining Tours

• Lights on Tour (2017)
• I Used to Know Her Tour (2018)
• Back of My Mind Tour (2021)

Supporting Tours

• Bryson Tiller – Set It Off Tour (2017)
• Chris Brown – Heartbreak on a Full Moon Tour (2018)
• Childish Gambino – This Is America Tour (2019)
• Coldplay – Music of the Spheres World Tour (2022)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: H.E.R. para niños