Nianell

Nianell
Born	Sonia Aletta Nel [1] (1971-09-25) September 25, 1971 (age 54) Omaruru, Namibia
Genres	Pop, adult contemporary
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, motivational speaker, author [2]
Instruments	Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active	1990–present
Label	Nianell Enterprises
Spouse(s)	Andrew Thompson (m. 2000–2014), Kevin Lievaart (m. 28 April 2024)
Website	Nianell.co.za

Sonia Aletta Nel (born September 25, 1971, in Omaruru, Namibia), better known as Nianell, is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist.

Biography

After growing up in Windhoek, Namibia, Nianell graduated with a three-year diploma in light music from Pretoria Technikon in South Africa. She studied classical music at Trinity College in London and at the University of South Africa. ^[3]

She has a four-octave vocal range and her songs have been described as including "elements of folk, pop, R&B, country, classic and even Celtic music." ^[4] Four of her albums (Who Painted The Moon?, Angel Tongue, Life's Gift, and I Know I'm Lucky) reached platinum status in South Africa. Nianell gained her first international platinum hit with the song "Who Painted the Moon?" The song was covered by another international singer, Hayley Westernra on the album Pure. The album sold more than 2 million copies and Nianell's composition was featured as a single on this album. In April 2011, she released her first album in the United States. ^[5] She has won two SAMA Awards: Angel Tongue won Best English Contemporary Album, and "We'll Find a Way" won her Best Female Songwriter.

She released a duet album with Dozi and another duet album with afropop group Romanz in May 2011.^{[ needs update ] [5]}

Personal life

She and her ex-husband, ^[6] Andrew Thompson, have triplets, all girls. ^[7] In 1998, she played netball in the Namibian national team. ^[8] Nianell's younger sister, Riana Nel, is also an acclaimed singer and songwriter. Both sisters have performed together on several occasions.

Discography

Albums

• 2002 – Who Painted the Moon
• 2006 – Life's Gift ^[9]
• 2004 – Angel Tongue ^[10]
• 2005 – As One (Live DVD, concert at Emperor's Palace)
• 2007 – I Know I'm Lucky ^[11]
• 2009 – It Takes Two, with Dozi (DVD) ^[12]
• 2010 – Sand & Water ^[13]
• 2011 – Who Painted the Moon (U.S. compilation album) ^{[14] [15]}
• 2011 – 'N Duisend Drome ^[16]
• 2012 – You're the One That I Want – Take 2 ^[17]
• 2012 – My Heart ^[18]
• 2014 – Just Be ^[19]
• 2017 – My Beautiful Escape

References

1. Born to Sing, by Nianell.
2. "Nianell's Articles" at Heal Your Life.
3. "Fresh Music – Nianell Biography". Archived from the original on February 15, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
4. "Famous Faces – Nianell". Archived from the original on August 8, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
5. "South African Superstar Nianell Releases Her Debut U.S. Album!", CelineDion.com.
6. "Nianell gets candid about her failed marriage".
7. "Magical moments for Nianell", You, July 16, 2010.
8. Who's Who SA – Nianell Nel-Thompson
9. "Life's Gift" Archived March 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
10. "Angel Tongue", nianell.co.za.
11. "I Know I'm Lucky" Archived March 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
12. "It Takes Two" Archived March 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
13. "Sand & Water" Archived March 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
14. "Mog.com – South African Superstar Nianell Releases Her Debut U.S. Album". Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
15. "Who Painted The Moon" Archived March 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
16. "'N Duisend Drome" Archived March 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
17. "You're The One That I Want – Take 2" Archived March 5, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
18. "My Heart" Archived January 16, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.
19. "Just Be" Archived October 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , nianell.co.za.