RAYE’s face mole and heavy Cleopatra-style eye makeup gave fans Deja Vu as if they were seeing the legendary English singer Amy Winehouse. Some thought they might be related when they were not. But what facts further escalated the dilemma?
Amy Winehouse received fame in the mid-2000s as a soul, rhythm, blues, jazz, and reggae singer with expressive and deep vocals, which many fans now notice in RAYE’s voice.
They believe that RAYE’s music had jazz and soul influences similar to Amy’s, and she radiates Amy’s vibe.
For a moment I just thought, “Ah, just what we need, another Amy Winehouse clone but, dear me, Raye is incredible. pic.twitter.com/TNThx2GVRE
— Tim Brannigan (@tim_brannigan) March 5, 2024
Meanwhile, the recent release of Amy Winehouse’s biopic Back to Black further added to the related news as fans feel RAYE would have been better for the role than Marisa Abela.
Fans also noted the uncanny resemblance at the recent 2024 Brit Awards, where RAYE gave her iconic performance.
However, sorry to disappoint; RAYE and Amy Winehouse are not related at all, as she said in one podcast that maybe her facial features led to the confusion, but ‘we are different.‘
The family line of Amy Winehouse and RAYE is entirely distinct
The Rehab singer Amy Winehouse was born on September 14, 1983, to Jewish parents, father Mitch Winehouse and mother Janis Winehouse, in Southgate, London.
Her Jewish family came from Minsk in 1890 to settle in London. They initially worked in working-class jobs and gradually moved to middle-class jobs.
Amy Winehouse over the years pic.twitter.com/aqA77HZ8zh
— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) May 23, 2024
Amy had an older brother, Alex, an online music journalist who now works full-time for the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which Mitch established from the estate inherited after her demise.
Alex is the only known sibling of Amy, while Dionne Bromfield, the British soul singer and television presenter, is the only goddaughter of the Frank singer.
Amidst all this, RAYE does not seem to have any connection with Amy, as RAYE, whose real name is Rachel Agatha Keen, has African and English roots.
She was born on October 24, 1997, in Tooting, London, to Sarah Keen, a Ghanaian-Swiss mother, and Paul Keen, a Yorkshire father.
RAYE grew up in a musically rich family. Her father was a manager at an insurance firm and a musical director at a church where RAYE sang gospel songs, and her mother, Sarah, sang in the choir and is an NHS mental health worker.
Another snippet from Raye‘s upcoming single #Genesis. 🔉 pic.twitter.com/VwwKOahSig
— RAYE Infos (@rayeinfos) May 27, 2024
The Prada singer RAYE grew up in a household rich in Christianity alongside her three younger sisters, Abby Lynn Keen (singer and songwriter), Lauren (singer), and Katelyn (the youngest), who is just 12.
Looking at both singers’ heritage, ethnicity, and religion, it is clear that Amy Winehouse and RAYE are not related.
However, Amy said it is a great honor to be linked with the legendary singer, as it is a massive recognition of her voice and talent.
Additional Information
- RAYE won Album of the Year at the 2024 Brit Awards for My 21st Century Blues, released in 2023.
- Amy Winehouse had 14 tattoos, including her ‘Daddy’s Girl’ on her left arm, dedicated to her father Mitch, also her money manager.
- Both Amy and RAYE suffered from eating disorders, bulimia (a severe case for Amy), substance abuse, and anxiety.
- Amy Winehouse might be the first English singer to open the door for unconventional women in mainstream pop. Adele, Duffy, and Lady Gaga credited the Back to Black singer with smoothing their entry to the US chart.
