Gabriella Lucia Cilmi is a multi ARIA award-winning Australian singer and songwriter. She is best known for her debut single "Sweet About Me", released in March 2008.
Cilmi was born on 10 October 1991 in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong. Of Italian descent, she lives with her parents Paula and Joe (whose origins are in Calabria) and her brother Joseph.
At an early age Cilmi developed an interest in a wide range of musical styles including Nina Simone, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, The Sweet, T.Rex and Cat Stevens. Despite her natural aptitude and vocal talent, she was told that she lacked the discipline necessary to pursue a singing career. Idolising Janis Joplin, during this time she sang with a band performing cover songs by Led Zeppelin, Jet, Silverchair and others. Cilmi recorded original songs with writer/producers Barbara and Adrian Hannan of The SongStore.
In 2004 Cilmi captured the attention of Warner Music executive Michael Parisi whilst giving an impromptu rendition of the Rolling Stones' song "Jumping Jack Flash" at the Lygon Street Festa, a community festival in Melbourne. At the age of thirteen Cilmi travelled to the US and UK with Adrian Hannan and was offered four major US deals. She eventually signed a contract with Island Records UK.