Cat Burns – Biography, Music, and Career Highlights

Cat Burns has become one of the most streamed British artists of the 2020s, building her career from busking sessions on London’s Southbank to viral TikTok success and multiple Brit Award nominations. Her honest, conversational songwriting has connected with millions worldwide.

Born Catrina Keri Oluwaseun Burns-Temison in Streatham, South London, the singer-songwriter released her first EP at 16 while still a student at the BRIT School. She has since scored a double-platinum single and earned a reputation as the biggest-selling British female artist of 2022.

Beyond the music, Burns has stepped into television, appearing as a contestant on The Celebrity Traitors in 2025. With two albums to her name and a growing global fanbase, she represents a new generation of pop artists who have used social media as a launchpad for mainstream success.

Who is Cat Burns?

Key insights

• Cat Burns gained prominence with her 2020 single “Go”, which went viral on TikTok in early 2022 and peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
• She is the biggest-selling British female artist of 2022 in the UK.
• Her debut album Early Twenties was released in July 2024, followed by How to Be Human in October 2025.
• She has received three Brit Award nominations, including Critics’ Choice in 2022.
• She has surpassed 1 million followers on Instagram and maintains over 2 million on TikTok.
• She appeared as a contestant on BBC’s The Celebrity Traitors in May 2025.

Quick facts

What are Cat Burns’ most popular songs and albums?

The breakthrough success of “Go”

Released in 2020, “Go” became Cat Burns’ defining track after it went viral on TikTok in early 2022. The song peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart and earned a double-platinum certification. Its stripped-back acoustic arrangement and emotionally direct lyrics about walking away from a relationship resonated widely, turning Burns into a household name almost overnight.

Albums: From “Early Twenties” to “How to Be Human”

Burns released her debut album Early Twenties in July 2024, a collection of songs that captured the uncertainty and growth of young adulthood. She followed it with How to Be Human in October 2025, which reached #5 on the UK Official Albums Chart and topped the Downloads Chart. Tracks from that album, including “All This Love” and “Lavender”, also charted in the UK Top 10.

Musical style and influences

Cat Burns blends pop, R&B, soul, gospel, and indie influences into a sound that feels both intimate and accessible. Her lyrics centre on love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, drawing from personal experience and the everyday emotions of her generation. She has cited her time at the BRIT School in Croydon and her early work busking on the Southbank as formative experiences that shaped her approach.

Did Cat Burns win a Brit Award?

Three nominations without a win

Cat Burns has been nominated for three Brit Awards but has not won to date. Her nominations include the Critics’ Choice award in 2022, as well as Song of the Year and Best Pop/R&B categories. While she did not take home the trophy, the nominations themselves marked a significant recognition from the UK music industry early in her career.

Other milestones and certifications

Beyond the Brits, Burns has built an impressive list of achievements. She was named the biggest-selling British female artist of 2022, and her single “Go” earned a double-platinum certification. Her second album How to Be Human reached #5 on the UK Albums Chart, and tracks from it entered the Top 10, solidifying her position as a consistent chart performer.

Who is Cat Burns’ partner?

Cat Burns has not publicly confirmed a partner or relationship status in any official source or recent interview. While her music frequently explores themes of heartbreak and romance, she has kept details of her personal life private. No public reports name a current partner, and her social media does not indicate an ongoing relationship.

How did Cat Burns’ career unfold?

1. 2000 – Born on 6 June in Streatham, South London.
2. 2016 – Released her first EP Adolescent at age 16 while attending the BRIT School.
3. 2020 – Released the single “Go”, which later went viral on TikTok.
4. 2022 – “Go” peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart; named biggest-selling British female artist of the year.
5. 2023 – Received three Brit Award nominations, including Critics’ Choice.
6. July 2024 – Released debut album Early Twenties.
7. October 2025 – Released second album How to Be Human, reaching #5 on the UK Albums Chart; appeared on The Celebrity Traitors.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Cat Burns?

What makes Cat Burns’ music and career distinctive?

Cat Burns represents a new wave of British pop artists who leveraged TikTok virality to launch a mainstream career. Her honest, conversational songwriting and relatable themes have resonated strongly with Gen Z audiences. The absence of detailed personal information, such as her height and relationship status, aligns with her approach of keeping private life separate from music, a strategy common among young artists navigating public attention.

Her background attending the BRIT School in Croydon and busking on the Southbank gave her early performance experience that translated into confident live shows. By mastering TikTok during lockdown, she built a direct connection with listeners that bypassed traditional industry gatekeepers.

What do official sources say about Cat Burns?

“Catrina Burns-Temison (born 6 June 2000) is a British singer-songwriter who gained prominence with her 2020 single ‘Go’.”

— Wikipedia

“From becoming the biggest-selling British female artist of 2022, she’s received several further accolades including three BRIT Award nominations.”

— Sony Music UK

What’s next for Cat Burns?

Expect Cat Burns to continue touring, potentially release new singles or an EP in the coming year, and possibly expand into further media appearances. No official announcements have been made as of 2025. For a deeper look at her early work, you can explore details about Cat Burns’ Early Twenties album. Her formative years at the BRIT School are also worth examining through Cat Burns’ BRIT School background and early career.

Frequently asked questions about Cat Burns