{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Nianell | image = | caption = | image_size = | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Sonia Aletta Nel<ref>[http://www.rock.co.za/files/sarealnames.html Born to Sing], by Nianell.</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|9|25}} | birth_place = Omaruru, Namibia | death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} | origin = | instrument = Vocals, piano, guitar | genre = Pop, adult contemporary | occupation = Singer, songwriter, motivational speaker, author<ref>[http://www.healyourlife.com/articles/author/nianell "Nianell's Articles"] at Heal Your Life.</ref> | years_active = 1990–present | label = Nianell Enterprises | associated_acts = Romanz, Riana Nel, Dozi | spouse = Andrew Thompson (m. 2000–2014), Kevin Lievaart (m. 28 April 2024) | website = [http://www.nianell.co.za/ Nianell.co.za] }}
'''Sonia Aletta Nel''' (born September 25, 1971, in Omaruru, Namibia), better known as '''Nianell''', is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist.
==Biography== After growing up in Windhoek, Namibia, Nianell graduated with a three-year diploma in light music from Pretoria Technikon in South Africa. She studied classical music at Trinity College in London and at the University of South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.freshmusic.co.za/Nianell%20bio.htm |title=Fresh Music – Nianell Biography |access-date=March 14, 2007 |archive-date=February 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070215041045/http://www.freshmusic.co.za/Nianell%20bio.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> She has a four-octave vocal range and her songs have been described as including "elements of folk, pop, R&B, country, classic and even Celtic music."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.famousfaces.co.za/Artist.aspx/Id/7401/Nianell__/Active/Entertainer_Cabaret/Entertainer_Music_Solo_Artist/hide |title=Famous Faces – Nianell |access-date=April 26, 2011 |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808015802/http://www.famousfaces.co.za/Artist.aspx/Id/7401/Nianell__/Active/Entertainer_Cabaret/Entertainer_Music_Solo_Artist/hide |url-status=dead }}</ref> Four of her albums (''Who Painted The Moon?'', ''Angel Tongue'', ''Life's Gift'', and ''I Know I'm Lucky'') reached platinum status in South Africa. Nianell gained her first international platinum hit with the song "Who Painted the Moon?" The song was covered by another international singer, Hayley Westernra on the album ''Pure''. The album sold more than 2 million copies and Nianell's composition was featured as a single on this album. In April 2011, she released her first album in the United States.<ref name=celinedion>[http://www.celinedion.com/blog/south-african-superstar-nianell-releases-her-debut-us-album "South African Superstar Nianell Releases Her Debut U.S. Album!"], CelineDion.com.</ref> She has won two SAMA Awards: ''Angel Tongue'' won Best English Contemporary Album, and "We'll Find a Way" won her Best Female Songwriter.
She released a duet album with Dozi and another duet album with afropop group Romanz in May 2011.{{update after|2011|05|31}}<ref name=celinedion />
==Personal life== She and her ex-husband,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/The-Juice/Nianell-gets-candid-about-her-failed-marriage-20150330|title = Nianell gets candid about her failed marriage}}</ref> Andrew Thompson, have triplets, all girls.<ref>[http://www.you.co.za/articles/Celebs/Magical-moments-for-Nianell "Magical moments for Nianell"], ''You'', July 16, 2010.</ref> In 1998, she played netball in the Namibian national team.<ref>[http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/nianell-nel-thompson-6574 Who's Who SA – Nianell Nel-Thompson]</ref> Nianell's younger sister, Riana Nel, is also an acclaimed singer and songwriter. Both sisters have performed together on several occasions.
==Discography== ===Albums=== *2002 – ''Who Painted the Moon'' *2006 – ''Life's Gift''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/lifes-gift "Life's Gift"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305091857/http://nianell.co.za/albums/lifes-gift/ |date=March 5, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2004 – ''Angel Tongue''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/duisend-drome "Angel Tongue"], nianell.co.za.</ref> *2005 – ''As One'' (Live DVD, concert at Emperor's Palace) *2007 – ''I Know I'm Lucky''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/i-know-im-lucky "I Know I'm Lucky"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305133435/http://nianell.co.za/albums/i-know-im-lucky/ |date=March 5, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2009 – ''It Takes Two'', with Dozi (DVD)<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/it-takes-two "It Takes Two"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305133518/http://nianell.co.za/albums/it-takes-two/ |date=March 5, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2010 – ''Sand & Water''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/sand-and-water "Sand & Water"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305133245/http://nianell.co.za/albums/sand-and-water/ |date=March 5, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2011 – ''Who Painted the Moon'' (U.S. compilation album)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mog.com/Music440/blog/2919962 |title=Mog.com – South African Superstar Nianell Releases Her Debut U.S. Album |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402135511/http://mog.com/Music440/blog/2919962 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/who-painted-the-moon-us-compilation "Who Painted The Moon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305133301/http://nianell.co.za/albums/who-painted-the-moon-us-compilation/ |date=March 5, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2011 – '''N Duisend Drome''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/n-duisend-drome "'N Duisend Drome"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305112043/http://nianell.co.za/albums/n-duisend-drome/ |date=March 5, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2012 – ''You're the One That I Want – Take 2''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/youre-the-one-that-i-want-take-2 "You're The One That I Want – Take 2"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305133855/http://nianell.co.za/albums/youre-the-one-that-i-want-take-2/ |date=March 5, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2012 – ''My Heart''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/my-heart "My Heart"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116193656/http://nianell.co.za/albums/my-heart/ |date=January 16, 2017 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2014 – ''Just Be''<ref>[http://nianell.co.za/albums/just-be "Just Be"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024073803/http://nianell.co.za/albums/just-be/ |date=October 24, 2016 }}, nianell.co.za.</ref> *2017 – ''My Beautiful Escape''
==References== {{reflist}}
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Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:People from Omaruru Category:21st-century Namibian women singers Category:21st-century pianists Category:Women pianists Category:Musicians from Windhoek Category:University of South Africa alumni Category:Namibian expatriates in South Africa Category:Afrikaans-language Namibian singers