BETTY WHO – From Cello to Center Stage

The life and career of Betty Who, born Jessica Anne Newham, is a testament to the power of pop music to define identity and build community. It’s a fascinating story that moves from the strict world of classical training to the glittery, affirming realm of dance-pop.

Betty Who’s journey didn’t start under disco lights; it began with the disciplined scratch of a bow on strings. Raised in Sydney, Australia, she was a dedicated cellist from the age of four, a pursuit she followed until she was 18. This early rigor provided a strong musical foundation, which she later expanded by teaching herself piano and guitar.

Her true calling emerged when she moved to the U.S. to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, she shed the classical constraints and discovered the infectious, euphoric potential of pop music. At Berklee, she met her long-time collaborator, producer Peter Thomas, and together they forged her signature sound: a nostalgic, synth-drenched pop aesthetic that pulls heavily from the joyful, anthemic spirit of the 1980s.

Her path to fame wasn’t traditional. She independently released her debut single, “Somebody Loves You,” in 2012. But the song exploded in 2013 when it became the soundtrack to a viral Home Depot flash mob marriage proposal for a gay couple. This powerful, emotional moment instantly cemented the song, and Betty Who herself, as an icon of unconditional love and queer celebration. The video’s success launched her career, landing her a deal with RCA Records and setting the tone for the affirming pop she continues to create today. Her subsequent albums, including her major label debut Take Me When You Go (2014) and later independent efforts like Betty (2019), have consistently delivered the vibrant, heartfelt dance tracks that her fans adore.

As an artist who identifies as a queer woman, Betty Who has cultivated a massive, loyal LGBTQ+ following. Her buoyant, joyous pop music is embraced as a sound of liberation, and her platform is frequently used to champion the community, including her high-profile recording of the theme song for Netflix’s Queer Eye. Her concerts are often celebrated as safe, affirming spaces for her fans.

This visibility, however, places her at the heart of complex, ongoing conversations about identity. A recent public comment on the fluidity of sexuality, in which she suggested she “holds space” for a lesbian artist to one day fall in love with a man, sparked considerable backlash. Critics, particularly from the lesbian community, argued that the statement inadvertently reinforced the homophobic stereotype that lesbianism is a phase or that women will ultimately be drawn to men.

This intense reaction highlights the critical importance of authentic and nuanced LGBTQ+ representation. For many queer individuals, seeing their identities reflected by public figures is essential for validation, visibility, and safety—especially in a world where rights are often challenged. The scarcity of diverse and fully realized queer stories means that the words and actions of prominent figures carry immense weight. Betty later acknowledged the unintentional harm of her words and publicly apologized, reaffirming her commitment to the community while underscoring the difficult balance of navigating a public identity that is both deeply personal and a source of representation for millions.

Recently she has ushered a vibrant new era of her career with a flurry of new music and a major North American tour in 2025. This creative period follows her fourth studio album, BIG! (2022), and her well-received 2023 Broadway debut as Persephone in Hadestown.

The new music showcases an intoxicating sense of self, marked by authenticity and a renewed, brave creative spirit. Her releases have been positioned as a sparkling reintroduction for the pop powerhouse, emphasizing that no artistic idea is off-limits.

• “Run!” (Released April 2025): Described as epic and playful, this song was a track initially intended for her previous album but was finally completed. It features electrifying drums, powerful guitar chords, and a grand, loud sound that signals a new sonic direction, with influences noted between The Weeknd and Kate Bush.
• “Sweat” (Released in 2025, around a month after “Run!”): This track is a grinding, techno-inspired dancefloor thriller, reinforcing her commitment to unapologetic, joyous dance-pop.
• “Fabulous” (Released August 15, 2025): A witty and celebratory single about finding one’s passion and “chasing something bigger than yourself,” released via Firebird.

Her new work reflects a shift from seeking safety to exploring bolder, more experimental ideas, which she credits, in part, to the bravery she gained from her time on Broadway. To support this new music, Betty embarked on the ‘Out of the Darkness’ summer headline tour across North America in 2025. The tour’s title symbolizes a personal re-emergence for the artist, aiming to create an environment of “unapologetic joy, real connections, and celebrating the highs after the lows” for her audience.  The tour ran throughout the summer, with stops in Sonoma, CA to San Diego, CA. It included appearances at major LGBTQ+ events, such as World Pride Festival in Washington D.C. and other Pride festivals. The tour culminated in a special, re-imagined performance with the LA Philharmonic on August 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. This unique show saw her pop records swapped for the lush, expansive sound of a full orchestra, providing a rare opportunity to experience her music in a new setting. This special performance also included the live debut of the new single, “Fabulous.”

Betty Who continues to be one to watch.