Early Life & Background
Gianna Brielle “Gigi” Perez was born on February 4, 2000, in Hackensack, New Jersey, and grew up in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Her parents, who immigrated from Cuba, built a family life rooted in cultural pride, music, and strong values that helped shape her perspective as an artist. While attending The King’s Academy in high school, Gigi discovered her love for performance by participating in musicals and even earned the honor of being crowned homecoming queen in 2017. Around age fifteen, she began writing her own songs, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the emotions that shaped her teenage years. She also joined a local band called Wendy Lane, where she began experimenting with her sound and learning how to share her music with others. For a short time, Gigi studied at Berklee College of Music, but the pandemic shifted her focus and gave her the push to pursue music full time.
Career Journey & Major Achievements
Gigi’s professional breakthrough began in 2021 when her songs “Celene” and “Sometimes (Backwood)” gained traction on TikTok. Their heartfelt lyrics and her distinctive voice resonated with listeners, quickly racking up millions of streams. The viral attention earned her a record deal with Interscope Records, where she released her debut EP How to Catch a Falling Knife in April 2023. Songs like “The Man,” “When She Smiles,” and “Figurines” demonstrated her talent for weaving poetic storytelling with raw emotion, establishing her as one of the rising voices in indie pop and folk-inspired music.
Although she parted ways with Interscope in 2024, Gigi embraced the independence that came with releasing music on her own. She released singles such as “Normalcy” and “Please Be Rude,” both of which showcased her growth as an artist unafraid of vulnerability. That same year, she found worldwide success with “Sailor Song,” a track that became a cultural moment in its own right. Released in July 2024, it went viral across social platforms and quickly rose on the charts, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one in the UK, Ireland, and Latvia. Within months, the song surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, cementing Gigi as a breakout star with global influence. In April 2025, she released her debut album At the Beach, in Every Life, an intimate record that explored themes of grief, love, spirituality, and self-acceptance.
Personal Life & Interests
Much of Gigi’s artistry has been shaped by personal loss, particularly the passing of her older sister Celene. This grief became a central theme in her early songwriting, lending authenticity and emotional power to tracks that touched countless listeners. Music has always been her way of making sense of life’s challenges, and her songs often reveal the inner struggles of healing and growth. In addition to her artistry, Gigi has been open about her identity, sharing that she came out as a lesbian in her teenage years. Representation matters deeply to her, and she credits openly queer artists such as Hayley Kiyoko with inspiring her to embrace herself fully. Outside of her career, she enjoys connecting with fans through social media, where she often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process.
Awards, Recognition & Notable Contributions
While still early in her career, Gigi has already achieved milestones that many artists aspire to reach. Her viral rise with “Sailor Song” stands as her most notable accomplishment to date, but her ability to headline her own shows and support artists like Coldplay, Hozier, Noah Cyrus, Girl in Red, and d4vd has proven her strength as a live performer. These opportunities not only broadened her exposure but also positioned her among some of today’s most respected musicians. Her music has garnered critical acclaim for its emotional honesty, as critics and fans alike recognize the way she blends vulnerability with poetic expression.
Legacy, Influence & Impact on Society
Though still at the beginning of her career, Gigi Perez is already leaving a lasting impression on the music industry. Her openness about grief, identity, and healing has struck a chord with listeners who see themselves reflected in her music. She represents a new wave of artists who use authenticity as their greatest tool, proving that honesty can resonate louder than polished perfection. Within the queer community especially, her presence as a confident, openly lesbian artist offers much-needed representation. She continues to show how music can be both deeply personal and universally relatable, bridging the gap between lived experience and shared emotion. Her trajectory is a testament to how digital platforms and heartfelt storytelling can launch a career with genuine cultural impact.
Final Thoughts
Gigi Perez’s journey from small-town performances to international recognition is an inspiring story of resilience, creativity, and authenticity. By turning grief into art and vulnerability into strength, she has built a body of work that resonates with a growing global audience. Her debut album, At the Beach, in Every Life, captures her evolution not only as a singer but as a storyteller who transforms personal truths into songs that comfort, empower, and heal. As she continues to evolve, Gigi is set to leave an enduring legacy defined by honesty, representation, and the power of music to connect across cultures and experiences.
