Olivia Dean, the rising British singer-songwriter, received an unexpected and uplifting phone call from music legend Sir Elton John while on a camping trip in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The 26-year-old, whose soulful album “The Art of Loving” catapulted her to fame last year, was cooking sausages and beans on a small gas stove when her team informed her that the iconic artist might reach out.
Initially, Dean was hesitant to answer the FaceTime call, fearing she wasn’t “ready.” However, Sir Elton persisted and managed to connect with the young talent, telling her, “I’m really proud of you, and it looks like you’ve worked really hard and you’re ready now.” Overcome with emotion, Dean described collapsing on the floor “like a starfish” after the heartwarming exchange.
Dean’s meteoric rise has been marked by a string of accolades, including multiple MOBO Award nominations for Album of the Year, Best Female, and Best Soul Act, as well as Grammy and Brit Award nominations. Her debut single, “The Man I Need,” topped the UK Singles Chart for 10 weeks and was named BBC Radio 1’s biggest song of 2025.
The London-born artist’s achievements have also made her the first British solo female artist to simultaneously top both the singles and album charts since Adele in 2021, according to the Official Charts Company.
During her recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Dean shared the details of her unexpected encounter with the music legend, much to the amusement of her fellow guests, including actors Idris Elba, Martin Freeman, Erin Doherty, and Wunmi Mosaku.
Sir Elton’s penchant for reaching out to support and encourage fellow artists is well-documented. The “Your Song” singer has been known to regularly check in on musicians like Squeeze guitarist Chris Difford and Ed Sheeran during challenging times, offering his guidance and support.
For Olivia Dean, this chance encounter with her musical idol has undoubtedly left a lasting impact, solidifying her place as one of the most exciting new voices in the British music scene.
