The first time I saw Olivia Dean perform live was in 2021 at the Cause in Tottenham (before it moved to Silvertown), with a crowd of about a hundred people. She only had a handful of songs in her catalogue and as a result, her set was padded out with covers of Ms. Dynamite, Erykah Badu and Justin Timberlake. Five years, two albums and almost 60 million listeners later, the east London-raised soul singer just sold out six nights at London’s O2 Arena, where she’s performing later this spring.

In 2025, Dean’s steady rise reached astronomical new heights with the help of her second album, The Art of Loving (which currently holds the number one spot on the UK albums chart). Even if you haven’t listened to the album, it’s impossible to have missed its hit singles: “Man I Need”, “Nice To Each Other” and “So Easy (To Fall In Love)”, which swiftly became some of the biggest songs of last year.

It’s almost unbelievable to think that, less than a decade ago, Dean was fresh out of Brit school and singing backup vocals for Rudimental. After tugging at our heart strings early on with several brutally honest breakup anthems, she released her debut album, Messy, in 2023 – earning her a Mercury Prize nomination and a slot on Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage. Since then, her list of achievements has grown even longer, and her latest feat is yet another pinch me moment for the star: Dean is now the face of Burberry’s Her parfum, something she calls “a dream come true”. With its notes of cherry and vanilla, the fruity gourmand evokes a sense of springtime for Dean that we could all use right now in the depths of winter.

To celebrate, we catch up with the singer to talk scent, self-love and why she’s feeling more herself than she’s ever felt before.

Hi Olivia. How does it feel to be the new face of Burberry Her?

Olivia Dean: It’s kind of a dream come true. I never thought I’d be the face of a fragrance so it’s very special.

How does the fragrance change how you feel in yourself?

Olivia Dean: It’s a really bold scent, you know it when you smell it. It’s really light with the vanilla and the cherry, but it’s also a confident smell, so it makes me feel really beautiful and people know when I’m in the room.

Does it remind you of anything?

Olivia Dean: Springtime in London, cherry blossoms, new beginnings and femininity.

If Burberry Her is the scent of your Art of Loving era, what was the scent of your Messy era?

Olivia Dean: I think this era feels a lot lighter, it feels more fun and flirty, so maybe Messy is more of a woody, darker scent. This feels sweeter – The Art of Loving is a real reflection of who I am. It’s my most genuine self-expression through music so far.

What do you think are the biggest differences between this album and your debut?

Olivia Dean: I think The Art of Loving is more intentional. I was thinking a lot in the studio about what I wanted to create, rather than just going for it like I have in the past. My key words were ‘warmth’, ‘timelessness’ and ‘fun’, and I think I really achieved that. It’s the most vulnerable music I’ve ever made, but also the most fun.

Three years ago, you told me that you struggled with imposter syndrome. Is that still something that affects you?

Olivia Dean: I think it definitely flares up – like when big life moments happen, it’s natural to pinch yourself and be like ‘woah, do I deserve this? How did I get here?’ But I think I’ve done a lot of work on myself and allowed myself to just sit in those big moments, because I work really hard and I think it’s OK to say that. So sometimes yes, but I think I feel the most myself I’ve ever felt.

So much of your music is about self-love, not just romantic love. What are your self-care routines?

Olivia Dean: The main thing I do to really look after myself is yoga. I find it to be amazing for my body but it’s also meditative – it really gives me that time to think. I love cooking for friends and skincare too – lighting a candle and putting on some 60s French music.

The maternal side of your family has had a huge influence on your work and who you are – your mum attends every show and of course Carmen, your grandmother, features in your music. How have these women shaped your relationship with beauty?

Olivia Dean: I love this question. My mum always encouraged me to really look after myself – not in a superficial way for others, but for myself. She taught me to dress with pride whatever that looks like for you. She always said to me ‘your hair is your beauty’, and told me to look after it and treat it like a friend. I’ve carried that my whole life.

You once said that your three main goals were to make an album, perform on Jools Holland and play Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage. Now that you’ve done all three, what are your new goals?

Olivia Dean: I’ve been thinking that I’d love to walk in a fashion show. I think that would be a cool moment, I don’t know when or how, but I’m manifesting that. And I’d love to tour South America. I’d love to really tour the world, not just the UK and the US – I’d love to see how the music connects there.

What does it mean to you to be playing the O2?

Olivia Dean: It doesn’t feel real. I’ve been thinking a lot this week about my first gig, which was in Dalston for 70 people. The O2 means everything and the shows are a real marker that the music is connecting. I don’t know how I’m going to calm my nerves, but I can’t wait.

Burberry Her is available here.