Rachel Chinouriri's ascent in the music industry has been an inspiring tale of resilience and gradual growth. The 26-year-old indie songwriter experienced a pivotal moment last month when she performed at London's prestigious O2 Arena as the support act for American pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter. Just a week prior, she attended her first Brit Awards, where she was a nominee for the coveted Artist of the Year award. For Chinouriri, these milestones were not merely career highlights; they represented a long-awaited validation of her hard work and dedication. In a candid moment, she shared, "A lot of it was stress relief, but I also felt strangely at home. I was just like, 'Wow, is this my life?'

This remarkable opportunity to tour with Carpenter came about after the pop star developed a fondness for Chinouriri's song, All I Ever Asked, which she began using as her walk-on music during her U.S. performances. Our conversation took place on the 14th date of the tour, just as Chinouriri was preparing to perform in Assago, Italy. By this stage, she had embraced the experience, energetically bounding across the catwalk and kneeling to connect with her audience between songs. However, she was upfront about her initial struggles, admitting that the first few shows were "slightly rough" due to a whirlwind of first-time experiences. "I filmed for Graham Norton for the first time on Friday, then it was the Brit Awards on Saturday. The tour kicked off in Dublin on Monday, and I had to shoot a music video on my day off," she recalled. "I was having a lot of first-time experiences and trying to figure out what I was comfortable with on the road. I'd say from show five, I was starting to enjoy myself."

Despite her nerves, which rarely surfaced during performances, Chinouriri's captivating energy and eclectic pop-rock sound have been winning over fans in every city she visits. One enthusiastic reviewer even described her opening set as "the perfect sweet treat before the main feast." By the end of March, she reached a significant milestone by surpassing 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify for the very first time, and even music legend Adele sent her a bouquet of roses, signaling that Rachel Chinouriri is officially having her moment in the spotlight. Yet, this rapid success has not come overnight.

Chinouriri's musical journey began at the Brit School, a renowned performing arts institution in London. She released her debut single, So My Darling, in 2018 and spent the following years refining her unique sound. Her 2019 EP, Mama's Boy, showcased a mellow mix of soulful pop, while her 2021 project, Four° In Winter, ventured into atmospheric electronic soundscapes. Throughout this evolution, Chinouriri's indie roots remained strong. Growing up in Croydon, London, she was raised in a strict Zimbabwean household where listening to music outside of Christian genres was largely prohibited. However, she and her siblings would secretly revel in the sounds of Coldplay, MIA, Lily Allen, and Daughter, which later influenced her music style.

Chinouriri's breakout track, All I Ever Asked, is a catchy rock anthem that belies a deeper narrative of feeling undervalued, which ultimately led her to perform alongside artists like Lewis Capaldi and Louis Tomlinson. Actress Florence Pugh even became an admirer, starring in the music video for her poignant track Never Need Me, which serves as a powerful anthem for those who have experienced heartache. Reflecting on her past struggles with anxiety during her teenage years, Chinouriri acknowledged, "I was pulling my hair out and having panic attacks." Despite her accomplishments, she admits that she often felt unworthy of success, saying, "British culture is quite self-deprecating, so when I was younger, I just didn't believe I could do these things. Even the fact I can say I'm a two-time Brit nominee is still quite surreal. Then I'm like, why is it surreal? I do deserve it because I've been making music since I was 16, and I haven't stopped."

Last May, she celebrated the release of her debut album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, which debuted at number 17 on the charts. Its sustained popularity can be attributed not only to the viral success of All I Ever Asked on TikTok but also to her unforgettable performances at various festivals. Reflecting on her artistic journey, Chinouriri commented on the advantages of a gradual career trajectory, noting, "I've seen what happens when you skyrocket or go viral. If I had a massive hit song when I was 21, I wouldn't have been ready in any way, shape, or form—mentally or professionally. I'd be panicking." Now, as she gains momentum, she reminds herself of her core passion: crafting music that expresses her true feelings.

Thematically, her debut album served as an emotional release, tackling subjects such as racism, school bullying, self-harm, alcoholism, feelings of alienation, and toxic relationships. A recurring topic she explored was the tendency of men to take more from relationships than they give back. Chinouriri described herself as a natural caregiver, which often attracts partners who are insecure or overly dependent on her. "I tend to be the person's 'mother,' which isn't fun because I have to be the strong one, and there's no room for my emotions," she reflects. However, her narrative has taken a positive turn. Last year, she found herself in a new, healthy relationship where her needs are prioritized. This blossoming romance is vividly captured in her new EP, Little House. In the heartfelt ballad Indigo, she sings, "Kissing me under the indigo / I begged for the morning sun not to rise / Oh, what a beautiful starry night," clearly indicating her infatuation. The lead single, Can We Talk About Isaac, even features her partner's real name, with his photograph showcased on the cover art. "It's quite a brave move," she laughs, "but I'm a hopeless romantic, and I don't want to lose the ability to document my life in song. It's a risk that whoever wants to date me had to take!"

Despite their deep connection, the couple is currently separated due to Chinouriri's rigorous touring schedule. The Sabrina Carpenter tour spans five weeks, followed by her first headline tour in North America, a significant milestone for her career. This upcoming tour is especially meaningful, as it follows a previous commitment that she had to cancel due to financial concerns. "As much as I would have loved that tour, I wouldn't have been able to pay my rent, which was very, very scary," she explained. Her fans even rallied to help by suggesting a GoFundMe campaign to cover her expenses, but Chinouriri recognized that the costs extended far beyond what they could raise. "It was a big wake-up call. It made me reassess; do I need to be styled all the time? Do I need to travel this way all the time?" Now, she is ready to return to the scene with renewed vigor, having upgraded her tour venues and nearly sold out the entire schedule, which she describes as "mental."

Chinouriri’s journey from a young girl in Croydon to a prominent figure in the indie music scene is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and authentic approach to songwriting. As she continues to navigate the complexities of fame and personal relationships, one thing remains clear: Rachel Chinouriri is here to stay, and her story is just beginning.