H.E.R.

H.E.R., an acronym standing for “Having Everything Revealed,” is the stage name of Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has become one of the most acclaimed artists of her generation. Born in Vallejo, California, to a Filipino mother and an African American father, she displayed prodigious musical talent from an early age, learning to play guitar, piano, bass, and drums as a child. At age ten, she appeared on the “Today” show performing an Alicia Keys song, and at 14, she signed a record deal with RCA Records.

H.E.R. initially released music anonymously in 2016 with her self-titled EP “H.E.R. Volume 1,” choosing to keep her identity concealed to let the music speak for itself. The mysterious approach generated significant buzz, with listeners and critics praising her soulful vocals, skilled musicianship, and emotionally resonant songwriting. Her compilation album “H.E.R.” (2017), which gathered tracks from her first two EPs, earned five Grammy nominations and won two awards, including Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance for “Best Part” featuring Daniel Caesar.

Her rise continued with a landmark 2021 that saw her win Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards for “I Can’t Breathe,” a powerful protest song addressing racial injustice and police brutality. That same year, she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Fight for You” from the film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” making her one of the youngest Academy Award winners in the category. Her debut studio album “Back of My Mind” (2021) debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and further showcased her range as an artist and instrumentalist.

Beyond her recording career, H.E.R. has demonstrated remarkable versatility. She starred as Belle in ABC’s live musical special “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” (2022), earning praise for her performance. She is also a sought-after songwriter, having penned songs for other artists, and a multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, bass, piano, and drums in her live performances. Her combination of Grammy wins, an Oscar, and consistent critical acclaim has established her as one of the most important R&B artists of her generation, with her wealth growing through music, touring, acting, and brand partnerships.