Nicki French

Nicki French made the jump from session singer to Eurodance diva bolstered by her huge hi-NRG firework, "Total Eclipse of the Heart." A cover version of the power ballad made famous by Bonnie Tyler, for her own pulsating version, Nicki French amped up the camp and scored a smash hit – along with a dedicated gay following. Initially released in 1994, for its re-release in 1995 the song made it into the US and UK Top 5 – peaking at Number 2 in the US – and undoubtedly helped to pave the way for Nicki French's appearance at the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, where she represented the UK. Born on September 26, 1964 in Carlisle, Cumberland, England, Nicki French grew up in Kent and spent a number of years honing her chops as a backup vocalist before launching her solo career in 1995, releasing her debut album Secrets and follow-up French Revolution in 1998. She went on to amass a steady stream of singles over the next few decades, largely on Energise Records, including dance covers of Celine Dion's "I Surrender" in 2004 and Diana Ross's "The Boss" in 2014 and 2020's atmospheric "Haunted Heart." Over the years, Nicki French has made various television, theater and pantomine appearances, starring in productions of Cinderella and Annie: The Musical, and continues to perform live, often at Pride events. Nicki French's mini-album A Touch More Glitter came out in 2020.