There is a particular kind of courage in refusing to give up on a dream quietly. Not the loud, dramatic kind – but the steady, daily kind that keeps you going through school runs and nap times and the ordinary business of life, even as the stage you have always imagined yourself standing on feels very far away. 

Gcielle – born Gabrielle Chloe, renamed by her husband Hans in a moment of creative collaboration that produced the sleek, distinctive stage name she now performs under – is that kind of person. A full-time mother of two, she spent years building towards her moment without shortcuts and without ever letting go of the belief that it was coming. Then, on June 1st, 2026, it arrived – all at once and in spectacular fashion. Her debut single “Rome” dropped. She performed a seven-song set at the Royal Albert Hall supporting Lulu. Dream Big, her debut album, is the sound of a woman who always knew she would get here. We sat down with Gcielle to find out how.

I wanted to start it off with understanding the origin of Gcielle. It is such a unique name. I know that your real name is woven into it, but I would love to hear how you arrived at the specific stage name, what it means to you, and why you chose to go with that over your birth name.

Wow, yes, I mean, when you say my name is woven into this stage name of Gcielle. Basically, I was sitting with my husband, Hans, and we were trying to come up with a really cool name for me, and we were writing them out, and, he actually came up with the idea. And it just seemed to work, you know, like the G for Gabby, for Gabrielle. The C for Chloe, because my middle name is Chloe. And L, like Gabrielle, Gcielle, and he’s the brains behind it.

Would you say “Gcielle” captures your stage persona better than Gabrielle or is it just the same?

Yes, it just does. It just for me, Gcielle: I love it. I love the way it’s written and I love the font that we’re using for the name. I love it. I just think: it’s me, you know, when I’m performing, it’s me.

I got to meet you and listen to you live firsthand on the 1st of June, which was a massive day for you. You got to release your single Rome and make your Royal Albert Hall debut with Lulu on the same night. Looking back at that iconic 24 hour period, what was the most surreal moment for you? What were your highlights?

So the most surreal moment for me was probably when I was arriving at the Royal Albert Hall. It was very surreal because I grew up in that area. Not far away, sort of round the corner. And, it was just this so surreal because I was going to go and perform there. I just had to pinch myself and I couldn’t quite believe it. And then I walked in. And, within 5 minutes of walking into the Royal Albert Hall, I met Robbie Williams very unexpectedly. He was introduced by someone who was with me and he was very intrigued to know my story. We sat down for a good 15 minutes and had a nice chat. That was a big highlight for me.

During your performance at the Royal Albert Hall that day, you shared that one of your songs was actually about how you met your husband at a bus stop. I wanted to ask about the first-meet and love story that inspired your song and ultimately changed the course of your life.

Yeah, you know, it was like 2 magnets. We knew of each other, because we were working in the same company, but in different buildings. Then, he was coming along and I saw him, he saw me and he said “hi” and just sort of started talking to me. It was like, love at first sight. 100% love at first sight. Then, I got on my bus, and my friend was with me at the time, and I could just feel my heart coming out of my body. As she was talking to me, I didn’t hear anything she said. I turned around, and I looked at him. He was walking away, and I just knew he was the love of my life. I knew it. So, we just sort of started to see each other within the place where we were working at the time. And, it all transpired from there.

What was it like to write a song about your own real-life love story? It might have felt quite vulnerable, but also it’s a difficult feat to try to capture the magic of a real love story.

Yeah, I mean, I just think Bus Stop is… No one’s ever really written a song about this. I don’t think it’s really ever been out there. And, I think it’s quite unique, quite original. People love the title and the fact that it’s real – it’s a real true story.

What was your husband’s reaction when he first heard the finished track?

Oh, he loved it. It’s one of his favourite songs on the album. Because, when we drive past this particular bus stop, we always remember, you know, where we met. It’s in Knightsbridge.

Well, we talked about how he helped you pick your stage name. He was really supportive on the night I met you at the Royal Albert Hall. He is the inspiration of some of the songs. A career in music notoriously requires a lot of resilience and a strong support system, but it sounds like you have that in your life partner.

I do. I’m blessed.

That resilience, support, and the effort to achieve your greatest dreams is reflected in the title of your debut album, Dream Big. How did that come about?

Dream Big is the perfect title for my album because it’s about never giving up on your dreams, being resilient, and really just believing in yourself. Even when there are moments when it’s really tough, you know, and I’m a mum, I’ve got 2 kids – and I’m full-time mum, I don’t have a nanny or anything – I just never stop believing in dreaming about my dreams coming true, you know? I believe that if something is on your path, one way or another, it’s gonna catch you up. If it’s meant to be, if it’s your destiny… I mean, we make our destiny, but at the same time, it really was on my path all along since I was in my 20s, I had opportunities, but I never felt like it was the right time for me. So, Dream Big is, what it’s all about.

When I looked into your single Rome, it sounded like it was almost like a reflection of those sort of feelings as well, where Rome was used as a symbol, not just like a city as a destination. What does Rome represent for you personally? 

So, Rome is a very special place in my heart and my husband’s heart. Before my kids were born, it was always our place. It was our place, where we would always enjoy a Crodino or go for a walk around the centre. It was one of the first places we ever went to together. So, It’s really a special place for us. 

What do you hope your listeners will take away from the song? What is the feeling you want them to leave with?

Just that: anything is possible. Anything is possible in your life if you keep dreaming and love really does exist. True love does exist.

Talking about anything being possible, I read about your journey to recording at Abbey Road Studios and how it actually started with a chance conversation with a producer. You mentioned how if something is meant to be, it will catch up with you. That kind of feels like the perfect example.

Exactly. The universe definitely brought us together and it was meant to be, and it was just a chance encounter. You know, sometimes you just meet people, and you don’t actually know what’s gonna happen. But then, I think we’re meant to meet people in our lives for reasons. And everything happens for a reason. 

At that time when you were having that conversation, did you have any idea where that moment would lead you to?

No. No. No, no, no. I had no idea, I had no idea. I mean, the way everything has transpired, it’s amazing. It’s really amazing. It’s like: I’m noticing how people are responding to me. You know, when I left the Royal Albert Hall that night, we left backstage and there was a guy waiting there with a pen and paper, and he asked me for my autograph. That was the first time anyone’s asked me for my autograph. He said: “Gcielle, can I have your autograph?” And, then there were 3 other ladies – they must have been in their 30s – they came up to me and said “Gcielle, you were incredible”. And, so genuinely. Just knowing that I’m bringing joy to people, all different kinds of ages. It is incredible.

You have quite a young audience online – you’ve built a real TikTok presence. How do you find balancing being a traditional live performer with, I suppose, today’s pressure to also exist online and be available with the pressure to go viral. How do you find it?

I really enjoyed doing live shows because I think since I was a little girl, I always loved being on stage, being the star. You know, I’d come home, dress up as Wonder Woman. And dress up in my mommy’s clothes, and her high heels and and get whatever I could as a microphone and I was the star. I think: TikTok, I love seeing myself on there. I think it’s amazing and all these people can see what I’m doing. I think it’s great. All different kinds of people are responding, all different ages are responding to my music 

At the Royal Albert Hall, you mentioned and showed your sources of inspiration, including Sade and Tina Turner.

Well, when I was very little. My mother was a crazy music fan and she still is, she’s very into her music and she used to take me to a lot of concerts. And I was like 6. We went to see Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Live Aid… I think it was Live Aid at Wembley. She took me to see Michael Jackson in the south of France. She was really a big influence on the music when I was little. That’s how I grew up listening to Tina Turner, Sade, Suzanne Vega, Tracy Chapman. My favourite of all time is Stevie Nicks.

As you build your career, what are you hoping will be your musical DNA and legacy for the people you might inspire further down the line? Are there any keywords you would define it by?

Joy and love and happiness. Dancing. I think we need all of this in the world right now. I think that’s what we need. You know: no sadness and gloom. We don’t need that in the world right now. We need love and joy and happiness. And music.

As we wrap up, I must ask: what comes next? You conquered huge things recently. You released your debut album. You performed at the Royal Albert Hall. What’s the next big dream for Gcielle?

My next big dream… Well, I mean, I would absolutely love to do a duet with a specific person. I would like to do that. And, I think it’s a big possibility. Also, I think, my story is very inspiring. Because I’m not, you know, this young wannabe. I’ve had my kids and I’m doing it a little later in life. So, I’d love to keep performing to big audiences – [Royal Albert Hall] was amazing.

Do you have any other 2026 goals that you want to accomplish before the year ends?

Well, I’m going to be doing the Notting Hill Arts Club in September. Which is really a nice legacy – it is where Amy Winehouse performed. Possible other shows in the autumn, maybe the 02. Watch this space.

“Rome” is out now

Interview Beril Naz Hassan