Nicki French

British singer Nicki French delivers soulful performances steeped in adult contemporary and dance-oriented pop. Her signature moment arrived with the 1995 cover of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Born in Cumbria in 1964, she spent her childhood in Tenterden, Kent, and logged years as a backing singer and session vocalist before stepping out on her own. Her debut album, Secrets, arrived in 1995 and spotlighted several Europop and Hi-NRG cover renditions, among them the Tyler hit and the Carpenters’ “For All We Know.” The lead single climbed to number five on the U.K. Singles chart and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. In 2000 French represented the U.K. at the Eurovision Song Contest with “Don’t Play That Song Again,” finishing in 16th place. Subsequent years found her on both television and stage, including lead roles in Cinderella and Annie: The Musical. Best recognized for her club-focused covers, she has cultivated a loyal audience within the gay community and maintains an active schedule of recording and live performances.