Cat Burns: The Social Media Star Whose Songs Are About to Become Your 2023 Soundtrack

Cat Burns is the name on everyone's lips — and rightly so. You can't scroll for long on TikTok without coming across the 22-year-old singer's soothing tones.

The content creator and musician's single "Go" reached the Top 3 on the UK charts earlier this year and has had more than 66 million streams on Spotify alone, so it's safe to assume you've heard this heartbreak anthem. But who is behind that smooth-as-honey voice? Here's everything you need to know about Burns.

Who Is Cat Burns?

From busking on London's Southbank to battling Harry Styles for the top spot on the UK charts, Burns has had a whirlwind few years. She went to the BRIT school, which is famous for producing the likes of Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Jessie J, but her story wasn't an overnight success.

Speaking to Gay Times, the cover star revealed that she felt defeated for a long time and was questioning her purpose. A lack of money and "no following" caused the singer to debate whether she was "meant to do music" at all. But, like many modern stars, everything changed as she started posting videos on TikTok during the pandemic.

Even though the artist initially posted dancing videos, it was her singing that gained the most attention, from cover songs to original tracks. Her single "Go" has been around since 2020. Written about being cheated on and finally having the strength to leave, the song finally gained the singer a record deal after it went viral as the soundtrack to a TikTok trend.

Once signed to RCA Records, which is owned by Sony Music Entertainment, Burns saw her song reach the UK Top 3 — and it's been nonstop success from then on. Fellow British artist Sam Smith jumped on the track in June 2022, drawing more attention to Burns's songwriting ability. It's almost impossible not to like the combination of their flawless voices. This duo are just . . . *chef's kiss*.

She's not a one-hit wonder, either. Her other songs "I Don't Blame You", "F*ckboy", and "Free" are sought out by millions on a daily basis. Burns is Streatham's very own superstar, and, with 1.2 million TikTok followers, her success isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Image Source: Getty / Tristan Fewings

What Is Cat Burns's Sexuality?

Burns is a queer woman. She is loud and proud about her support for the LGBTQ+ community. Back in June 2020, Burns told her TikTok followers that she likes "girls and boys" and identifies as bisexual. The social media star went public with girlfriend Jodie in 2021, and the pair are still together.

Burns's identity as a queer woman colours her music, and she shares her experiences through songs in order to "help other people". The star well and truly won the hearts of the LGBTQ+ community when she released the song "Free". The song is about coming out and coming to terms with your identity as a queer person, and it got one million views in a week (before it was even put on Spotify!).

Burns has admitted to dealing with internalised homophobia in the past and is using her platform to reassure her queer fans that "it gets better". She said on her TikTok about her single "Free": "I was just so surprised that people loved it. I ran to my label and said, 'Please can we put this out because I think the song means a lot to a lot of people,' and they said yes."

In an emotional rendition on TikTok, Burns harmonised with her mother, who is also a singer, over the intimate lyrics. The video was particularly moving, since the entire song is based on feeling frightened about revealing her sexuality to her mum. When teasing the song on TikTok, Burns wrote: "It's so crazy how scared I was to come out to my mum in case she'd view me differently and now she sings this song at the top of her lungs."

Since dropping the track, Burns has been inundated with messages about how "Free" helped others to accept their sexuality and share it with the world. "I literally wrote the song in an hour, so it's crazy to see how it has impacted people in such a profound way," she told Gay Times. "I think I'm part of a wave of LGBTQ+ artists that are encouraging others to be more open. We're singing about more complex things within the themes of love and relationships, such as dating someone who's not out yet. A lot of artists have started to become more comfortable telling those important stories, both lyrically and visually, which has allowed me to be more open."

Besides helping her fans to come out, she has spoken about changing the way she identifies and dresses and releasing herself from the "shackles of male validation". But, as a queer Black woman, Burns hopes to touch the hearts of queer Black artists specifically. The singer has spoken publicly about the additional barriers she has faced because of her race and sexuality combined. "After being rejected by labels, I just knew that I really wanted to prove myself," she told NME. "I would say that their apprehensiveness was understandable, because they hadn't really seen a Black female do what I want to do. When I was first going to [the labels], they just didn't really know what to do with me, as there hasn't been someone like me yet." She added, "Personally, I want to help Black queer artists to be like, 'OK, let me tell my truth, too.'"

What Is Cat Burns's Style of Music?

Burns's music undeniably falls into the pop category, but she's got her own thing going on. According to her Sony Music profile, Burns draws upon "gospel influences, pop inspirations and a love of guitar and indie-led music".

Even though Burns has a totally unique voice and style, she proudly cites Ed Sheeran, India Arie, and Tori Kelly as a few of her biggest inspirations. The whole purpose of Burns's music is to "help you get through sh*t one song at a time", she writes on Instagram. And boy, is she right!

What Is Cat Burns's Star Sign?

Born on 6 June 2000, Burns is a Gemini. In a recent video with Nella Rose for Spotify, the YouTuber commented on how "mature" Burns is before asking her star sign. "I'm like a deep Gemini because I'm born on the sixth of the sixth," she says.

It makes sense that the singer was born under the sign of mutable Gemini. This sign thrives on change, and that's exactly what Burns stands for. Ruled by Mercury, Gemini is the sign of communication. This sign needs to be able to express themselves.

The moon was in Aries on Burns's birthday, making her an Aries moon. Your Moon sign represents your emotions, how you nurture, and how you want to be treated and loved. Funnily enough, Aries is the pioneer and all about action and explosive emotions. Burns might seem very calm and composed, but her passionate Aries moon is what has driven her to achieve and succeed. She's a force to be reckoned with, and it's written in the stars.