Beverley Knight is an English singer, songwriter, actress, and radio personality. She is famous for being one of Britain's greatest soul singers. She is best known for her chart-topping singles, including "Greatest Day," "Get Up!," "Shoulda Woulda Coulda," "Come as You Are," and "Keep This Fire Burning." Her musical journey began with the release of her debut album, "The B-Funk," in 1995, and she has since launched eight studio albums. In 2006, Knight ventured into the mainstream by starring in the BBC music TV series "Just the Two of Us," a role she revisited in 2007. Beyond music, she also hosted the BBC Radio 2 show "Beverley's Gospel Nights," which delved into the origins and influence of gospel music, featuring interviews with notable stars like Michelle Williams and Shirley Caesar during its six-season run until 2009. Recently, Beverley hit back after viewers accuse her of 'lip-syncing' during Strictly Come Dancing results show performance. She has denied lip-synching on the Strictly Come Dancing results show on Sunday (16th October 2023) evening. She spoke out to reveal she had in fact performed the song live twice in front of the studio audience after producers requested a second take.
Beverley Knight, British singer, songwriter, actress, and radio personality, is known for her hit singles like "Greatest Day," "Get Up!," "Shoulda Woulda Coulda," "Come as You Are," and "Keep This Fire Burning." Her music career began in 1995 with the release of her debut album, "The B-Funk," and she has gone on to create eight studio albums.
Beverley Knight was born on March 22, 1973, in Wolverhampton, England. She holds British nationality and has a mixed ethnic background. Beverley Anne Smith is her birth name. Beverley's family includes her father, Edward Smith, her mother, Deloris Smith, and her brother, Adrian Smith. Raised in a strict Pentecostal household where church attendance was highly significant, she began her singing career at an early age.
Beverley attended Woodfield Infant and Junior Schools, and later Highfields School in Wolverhampton. She started writing her own songs at 13 but didn't pursue music seriously until she turned 17. At 19, she contributed to the demo songs of Wolverhampton songwriter Westley Jones. Despite her musical talents, Beverley prioritized her education and attended Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education (now the University of Gloucestershire) to study theology and philosophy.
In late 1994, Beverley Knight signed a record deal with Dome Records, a small, independent label, and embarked on writing and recording her first album, "The B-Funk," which was released in November 1995. While the album was praised by her record label as "the best British soul album ever," it only reached number 145 on the UK album chart. Her career gained momentum in 1997 when she signed a new four-album deal with EMI-controlled Parlophone. Her second album, "Prodigal Sista," released in August 1998, marked a significant commercial success, selling 150,000 copies in Britain and earning Gold certification. This album contained hits like "Greatest Day" and "Made It Back," and Knight won three MOBO Awards for her work.
In 2002, she released "Who I Am," featuring successful singles "Get Up!" and "Shoulda Woulda Coulda." The album reached number seven on the UK album chart, making it her most commercially successful at the time. Knight's fourth album, "Affirmation," released in June 2004, featured the hit "Come as You Are" and earned a Gold sales certificate. The album explored themes related to her relationship with Tyrone Jamison, who passed away from an AIDS-related disease in 2003.
In February 2006, she ventured further into the mainstream audience by appearing on the BBC1 music show "Just the Two of Us," a celebrity duet program, which allowed her to showcase her talent to a broader audience despite modest audience figures. Subsequently, she joined Take That on their "Take That – The Ultimate Tour 06" as a support act, reaching new audiences and expanding her reach. In March 2006, she released her fifth album, "Voice – The Best of Beverley Knight," a compilation set featuring her top UK singles, which entered the UK albums chart at number ten and became her second-highest charting album to that point. The album included the hit "Piece of My Heart." In October 2006, Knight recorded her fifth studio album, "Music City Soul," in Nashville, featuring collaborations with renowned musicians and spawning three singles.
In 2009, she left Parlophone Records after 11 years and founded her own label, Hurricane Records, releasing her sixth studio album, "100%." The album's lead single was "Beautiful Night," co-written with Amanda Ghost. From 2011 to 2016, Knight explored theatre, released her seventh album "Soul UK," featuring British soul covers, and appeared in stage productions such as "The Bodyguard," "Memphis," and the 2015 revival of "Cats." In 2016, she released her eighth studio album, "Soulsville," which reached the Top 10 in the UK Albums Chart.
In 2017, she took part in a BBC Prom celebrating Stax Records' soul music alongside artists like Jools Holland, James Morrison, Ruby Turner, and Sir Tom Jones, as well as Stax's living legends William Bell, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Sam Moore, and Eddie Floyd. She performed five times during the concert and joined the "Leading Ladies" with Cassidy Janson and Amber Riley to release their debut album, "Songs from the Stage," in 2017. Knight also starred as Faye Treadwell in the musical "The Drifters Girl," which opened in the West End in 2021. She released the live album "BK25" in 2019 and appeared on BBC Children in Need in 2020.
In 2021, she performed a concert at the London Palladium to test new COVID-19 measures in theaters and joined the judging panel for ITV's "Starstruck." She returned to the West End in 2022 to star in the hip-hop-inspired musical "Sylvia" and announced a new studio album, "The Fifth Chapter," scheduled for release in September 2023. The album received positive reviews and charted at number 39 on the UK Albums Chart.
1996 Black Music Award:
1998 MOBO Award:
1999 MOBO Award:
2000 E.M.M.A. Award:
2004 Urban Music Award:
2011 Urban Music Award:
2019 Black British Theatre Awards:
2023 Laurence Olivier Award:
Beverley Knight is a multi-talented artist known for her contributions as a singer, songwriter, actress, and radio personality. As of 2023, her estimated net worth stands at $2 million, primarily earned through her successful career in the music and entertainment industry. With an annual salary that reaches thousands of dollars, she enjoys a comfortable and financially stable lifestyle.
Beverley Knight is a happily married woman who exchanged vows with her long-term boyfriend turned-husband, James O'Keefe, on September 8, 2012. Their journey to matrimony began when they got engaged in November 2010, as Mr. O'Keefe, a production technician, proposed to her, marking the beginning of their beautiful union. James O'Keefe. On September 8, 2023, she celebrated her eleven years of anniversary with her husband and shared an image on her Instagram account which she captioned as, "Eleven years ago today. The best summer. I married a King who became an Unguarded Warrior. My @jamesokeefenrg 8th September 2012. xx @paulwhitephoto"
Beverley Knight is a beautiful woman with a height of 5 feet 4 inches (1.64 m) and a slim, healthy physique. Her body measurements are 31-24-33 inches, and she maintains a weight of 56 kg (123 lbs). With her striking black curly hair and captivating black eyes, she exudes elegance and charisma. Knight's dedication to a healthy lifestyle is evident in her fit and vibrant appearance.
Beverley Knight embarked on her musical journey at the age of seventeen, taking to the stage in local clubs and venues to showcase her remarkable talent. This marked the early roots of a career that would see her become one of Britain's most celebrated soul singers. As she honed her craft and connected with audiences through live performances, she would go on to achieve great success with chart-topping singles and multiple studio albums, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music. Her captivating voice and electrifying stage presence continue to resonate with fans and music lovers around the world.
Beverley Knight is an avid supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., demonstrating her passionate allegiance to the football club based in her hometown of Wolverhampton, England. Her support for the team reflects her connection to the local community and her active engagement beyond her music career.
Beverley Knight is an outspoken supporter of the Labour Party, actively engaging in politics beyond her music career. Her endorsement of the party highlights her political beliefs and her dedication to various social and policy issues that align with the party's principles. Through her public support, she amplifies her voice in advocating for causes that matter to her and her community.
Beverley Knight has often cited the legendary Aretha Franklin as one of her most significant musical influences. Aretha Franklin's powerful and soulful voice, combined with her emotive delivery, has played a pivotal role in shaping Knight's singing style and career. Knight's admiration for Franklin underscores the profound impact the Queen of Soul has had on her own journey as a soul singer and her dedication to delivering compelling and soul-stirring performances in her music.
In 2006, after more than a decade of remarkable contributions to the music industry, Beverley Knight received the prestigious honor of being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This recognition celebrated her significant impact on British music and her outstanding career in the field. The MBE was a testament to her dedication and influence in the industry, solidifying her status as a respected figure in the world of British music.