When Rachel Chinouriri stepped onto the stage at London’s O2 Arena last month, she cried. The 26-year-old indie-pop artist had just experienced her first Brit Awards nomination and now found herself performing to 20,000 people as the support act for Sabrina Carpenter. It was a moment of validation, seven years in the making.
“A lot of it was stress relief,” she admitted. “But I also felt strangely at home. I was just like, ‘Wow, is this my life?’”
The moment marked a turning point in Chinouriri’s career—one that has been building gradually, organically, and intentionally.
Brit School Roots and Indie Beginnings
A Brit School graduate, Chinouriri released her debut single So My Darling in 2018. Her sound has evolved steadily since then, growing from soulful pop in the 2019 EP Mama’s Boy to dreamy electronica in Four° In Winter (2021). But at her core, she was always an indie kid.
Raised in Croydon by strict Zimbabwean parents who only allowed Christian music in the house, Chinouriri and her siblings would blast Coldplay, MIA, Lily Allen, and Daughter whenever they were alone. Those secret sessions would later shape her songwriting—blending the emotional candour of indie with the hooks of pop.
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“I just didn’t believe I could do these things,” she reflected. “But I’ve been making music since I was 16 and I haven’t stopped.”
From Anxiety to Arena Applause
As a teenager, Chinouriri struggled with anxiety so severe it led to panic attacks and hair loss. So when success came—support slots with Lewis Capaldi and Louis Tomlinson, viral moments on TikTok, and millions of Spotify streams—it was both exhilarating and bewildering.
Even now, as she bounds across arena stages on the Sabrina Carpenter tour, she confesses to being surprised by her popularity. “British culture is quite self-deprecating,” she laughs. “Even the fact I can say I’m a two-time Brit nominee is still quite surreal.”
But her performance speaks for itself. One reviewer called her live set “the perfect sweet treat before the main feast.” Audiences across Europe have been enchanted by her raw energy, witty stage banter, and lyrical honesty.
A Slow But Sure Ascent
Unlike some peers who found viral success overnight, Chinouriri’s trajectory has been measured. And that’s how she likes it.
“There’s a privilege to having a slow-paced career,” she says. “If I’d had a massive hit at 21, I wouldn’t have been ready in any way, shape or form—mentally or professionally. I’d be panicking.”
Instead, she’s learned the industry from the inside out, building a solid fanbase and finding her voice as both a performer and songwriter. When her debut album What A Devastating Turn Of Events dropped last May, it entered the UK charts at number 17—not a smash, but a steady success that continued to grow thanks to TikTok, festival appearances, and strong word-of-mouth.
“I just need to remember that what I’m good at is writing how I feel and turning those feelings into music,” she says. “Even though there’s more opinions now, I need to trust my gut.”
Love, Loss, and Lyrics
Chinouriri’s music often reflects personal experiences—especially in matters of the heart. What A Devastating Turn Of Events explored everything from racism and self-harm to toxic relationships and emotional abandonment.
“I’m quite a caregiver by nature,” she explains. “That attracts boys who need a lot of help, or are very insecure. I tend to be the person’s ‘mother’, which isn’t fun.”
But her new EP Little House marks a turning point. Inspired by her current partner Isaac Farley, the songs speak of balance, tenderness, and joy.
“He’s changed my life, no matter what happens between us,” she says. “We’re both just really in love with each other and having a blast.”
From the starry-eyed ballad Indigo to the title track’s retelling of their chance meeting at a pub, Little House feels like a musical exhale—a celebration of stability and soft love.
The lead single, Can We Talk About Isaac, even features his photo on the cover. “It’s quite a brave move,” Chinouriri admits. “But I don’t want to lose the ability to document my life in song. It’s a risk that whoever wants to date me was going to have to take!”
The Cost of Chasing the Dream
Despite her growing success, Chinouriri has not been immune to the harsh realities of the music industry. Last year, she made headlines after pulling out of a U.S. tour with Remi Wolf due to financial strain—even with label support.
“It was very, very scary,” she says. “I wouldn’t have been able to pay my rent.”
Fans rallied, offering to crowdfund support, but the expenses—visas, travel, accommodation—were overwhelming.
“It was a big wake-up call,” she recalls. “It made me reassess everything. Do I need to be styled all the time? Do I need to travel this way?”
The decision turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After regrouping, Chinouriri returned with a stronger financial plan and now heads into her first North American headline tour with nearly every date sold out.
“It’s mental,” she grins.
Arena Dreams and Future Goals
Her time on the Sabrina Carpenter tour has proven that Chinouriri belongs on the big stage. Night after night, she watches crowds sing back her lyrics—sometimes louder than she can sing them herself.
“There’s always a risk as an opener that people might be completely uninterested,” she says. “But this has been the complete opposite.”
The question now is not whether she’ll succeed, but how far she’ll go. And Chinouriri, ever introspective, is taking it in stride.
“I’ve seen what happens when you skyrocket,” she says. “Now, I just need to keep doing what I love, trust my gut, and take care of myself.”
If the slow burn has taught her anything, it’s that good things really do come to those who wait. And for Rachel Chinouriri, the glow is just beginning.
