Bea Miller, American singer-songwriter and actress

Beatrice Annika Miller, widely recognized by her stage name Bea Miller, is a distinguished American singer, songwriter, and actress. Born on February 7, 1999, Miller's early foray into the entertainment industry showcased a remarkable talent that would soon captivate a global audience, establishing her as a compelling voice in contemporary pop music.

Miller first gained significant national recognition at just 13 years old when she competed on the second season of The X Factor (US) in 2012. Mentored by pop icon Britney Spears, she consistently impressed judges and viewers with her powerful, distinctive vocals and mature stage presence, navigating a highly competitive field to secure a respectable ninth-place finish. This experience proved to be a pivotal launchpad for her professional music career, leading directly to a significant recording contract with a major label.

Following her impactful run on The X Factor, Miller signed with Hollywood Records, a prominent record label under Disney Music Group. Known for nurturing young talent and pop artists, this signing marked a crucial step in her journey to establish a lasting presence in the music industry. Her debut extended play (EP), titled Young Blood, was unveiled in 2014, offering an initial glimpse into her emerging artistic vision and raw emotionality. This was swiftly followed by her highly anticipated debut studio album, Not an Apology, which was officially released on July 24, 2015. The album garnered attention for its blend of pop-rock sensibilities and candid, introspective lyrics, resonating deeply with a growing fanbase.

In 2016, Miller continued to evolve her sound with the release of the single "Yes Girl," a track that further highlighted her dynamic vocal range and lyrical maturity. A particularly innovative period in her discography arrived in 2017 with a unique, serialized release strategy. She unveiled three distinct EPs: Chapter One: Blue, Chapter Two: Red, and Chapter Three: Yellow. Each 'chapter' was designed to explore different emotional landscapes and sonic textures, building a cohesive narrative arc. These three EPs, along with five additional, previously unreleased songs, were subsequently compiled and released as her critically acclaimed second studio album, Aurora. This collection showcased a comprehensive artistic vision and was praised for its emotional depth and cohesive thematic development.

Miller's artistic versatility extended into successful collaborations, significantly expanding her international reach. In 2018, she featured as the lead vocalist on "I Wanna Know," a compelling track by the acclaimed Swedish electronic music duo NOTD. This collaboration proved to be a breakthrough hit, propelling the song into the top 20 charts in several key international markets, including Australia, Belgium, and Norway, thereby broadening her audience exposure significantly. The year 2019 was marked by a series of diverse and impactful single releases, further demonstrating her collaborative spirit. These included the introspective "It's Not U It's Me" featuring the Grammy-nominated R&B artist 6lack, the globally recognized "Feel Something," the evocative "Feels Like Home" with fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez, and "Never Gonna Like You" alongside the British electronic production duo Snakehips. These partnerships underscored her ability to adapt her distinctive style across various genres and connect with a wide array of musical talents.

In November 2019, Bea Miller made a strategic move to explore independent avenues, signing with Olliebear Records and Create Music Group for the release of her single "that bitch" (stylized in lowercase). This venture allowed her greater creative autonomy and control over her artistic output. However, it was the unexpected and monumental resurgence of her 2019 single "Feel Something" in October 2020 that truly reshaped her career trajectory. Propelled by its massive viral success on TikTok, where it became a ubiquitous sound for user-generated content, the song experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity, gaining millions of streams across digital platforms and becoming one of her most recognized and beloved tracks worldwide. This organic, user-driven phenomenon highlighted her profound connection with listeners and proved to be a defining moment.

Capitalizing on the renewed and substantial momentum from "Feel Something," Miller made a strategic return to Hollywood Records. Her comeback single, "Wisdom Teeth," was released in October 2020, serving as the lead track for her deeply personal and aptly titled EP, Elated!. This EP, released on October 23, 2020, further showcased her lyrical depth, emotional transparency, and continued artistic growth, reinforcing her position as a significant and relatable voice in contemporary pop music.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bea Miller

Who is Bea Miller?
Bea Miller is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who first rose to prominence as a contestant on The X Factor (US) in 2012. She is known for her powerful vocals, emotive lyrics, and a versatile musical style that blends pop, rock, and electronic elements.
What is Bea Miller best known for?
Beyond her early appearance on The X Factor, Bea Miller is widely recognized for her hit singles like "I Wanna Know" (with NOTD), and especially "Feel Something," which gained massive viral success on TikTok in 2020. Her albums Not an Apology and Aurora also represent significant milestones in her career.
When did Bea Miller release her debut album?
Bea Miller released her debut studio album, titled Not an Apology, on July 24, 2015, following her debut EP, Young Blood, in 2014.
What is the significance of the "Chapter" EPs (Blue, Red, Yellow)?
The "Chapter" EPs (Chapter One: Blue, Chapter Two: Red, and Chapter Three: Yellow), released in 2017, were a unique serialized project by Bea Miller. Each EP explored different emotional themes and served as precursors to her second studio album, Aurora, which compiled these tracks along with additional songs to form a cohesive body of work.
How did "Feel Something" become so popular?
"Feel Something," originally released in 2019, experienced an unexpected surge in popularity in October 2020, primarily due to its widespread viral success on TikTok. The song's relatable lyrics and evocative melody resonated with users, making it a popular sound for countless user-generated videos and significantly expanding its global reach.