Seal

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (born 19 February 1963; Paddington, London), known mononomously as Seal, is a British vocalist, songwriter, and record producer.

Renowned for his distinctive soulful singing voice, he has sold over 20 million records worldwide across a distinguished multi-decade career. Melding elements of classic Motown, British rock, and electronic dance music, he has earned prestigious industry accolades, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992—four Grammy Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, and two Ivor Novello Awards for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

Early Life

Born at St Mary's Hospital to a Nigerian mother, Adebisi Ogundeji, and a Brazilian father, Francis Samuel, he was raised by a foster family in Westminster, London, during his early childhood before growing up in an abusive household with his biological father. He developed his early musical foundations singing in local London clubs and bars during the 1980s, though he initially pursued a two-year diploma in architecture and worked various trades in the London area.

At age 21, he was diagnosed with discoid lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the skin, resulting in the characteristic coin-shaped scars across his face and scalp. Despite dealing with painful physical flares over the decades, he has frequently stated that he has made total peace with his reflection, viewing his scars as an essential part of his story and strength rather than a limitation.

Career

His professional timeline began in 1987 when he joined the British funk band Push, touring with them in Japan, followed by a stint with a blues band in Thailand and a solo journey across India. His mainstream commercial era was ignited after returning to England, where he provided the lyrics and guest vocals for producer Adamski's 1990 techno breakout single "Killer", which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

He then signed a solo record deal and collaborated with producer Trevor Horn on his multi-platinum eponymous debut album Seal (1991), which featured the international hit "Crazy". He achieved definitive global crossover success with Seal II (1994) when his celebrated track "Kiss From a Rose" was featured on the Batman Forever soundtrack, eventually topping the United States Billboard Hot 100 in 1995 and winning three Grammy Awards in 1996.

Over the following decades, his studio discography expanded through major-label albums including Human Being (1998), Seal IV (2003), System (2007), Soul (2008), Seal 6: Commitment (2010), Soul 2 (2011), and 7 (2015). Transitioning into independent eras and exploratory avenues, he released the jazz standards collection Standards in 2017, alongside deep-catalogue reissues, remasters, and archival live sets that have recently surfaced via digital streaming platforms.

His diverse portfolio also includes prominent film and television credits, having spent multiple seasons as a winning coach on The Voice Australia and appearing as "The Leopard" on the United States version of The Masked Singer.

Personal Life

His personal life attracted widespread public attention during his high-profile marriage to supermodel Heidi Klum, which lasted from 2005 until their subsequent divorce in 2014. He remains deeply dedicated to co-parenting their four children—Leni, Henry, Johan, and Lou—and frequently celebrates family milestones such as their college graduations privately and away from the celebrity spotlight.

He has since been in a long-term relationship with his former personal assistant, Laura Strayer. Beyond his familial focus, his legacy is defined by his profound musical influence on contemporary pop and soul music, as well as his active participation in community work and global philanthropy, supporting major charitable initiatives for Hurricane Katrina relief, Ebola prevention, and various National Health Service causes.

Current Activities

At present, he is actively making music and touring globally, recently breaking a decade-long hiatus from original material to release his new single "All I Know is Now" alongside a fresh rendition of his classic hit "Kiss From a Rose". The upbeat, anthem-like single marks a formal return to the studio and a reunion with his longtime producer Trevor Horn to craft brand-new original music. Alongside this studio output, he continues to perform live internationally, having recently wrapped up a major European tour leg and celebrated his 60th birthday with large gatherings surrounded by close industry friends and family.