Mimi Webb has opened up about why she doesn’t sing in her native accent as fans have noticed her lack of British twang in her songs – and the reason is very surprising
Mimi Webb has revealed why she doesn’t sound like a Brit when she performs – after fans started questioning her missing accent in her tracks. The young vocalist, who is Canterbury in Kent, has enjoyed tremendous success climbing into the UK Top 10, touring globally, entertaining the Royal Family and amassing over one million TikTok followers.
The 25-year- old shows no signs of slowing down, having just dropped her latest album – on September 12 – titled Confessions. Yet recently, the House On Fire performer has addressed remarks about her pronunciation in songs as supporters pick up on her absent British accent.
In a TikTok clip, Mimi explained: “Everyone keeps asking me why Brits sing in an American accent. To be honest this is a good point.” She revealed that performing with a British accent “just doesn’t work” for her style of music.
Mimi also featured on the Zach Sang podcast recently, acknowledging that Disney Channel had a massive impact during her childhood – shaping her perception of how pop artists should sound.
Mimi explained: “As a kid I was obsessed and I just got the American accent in singing quite early on.”
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When Zach questioned whether she deliberately avoids singing with a British accent, she replied: “No, it’s just natural. It’s crazy to me to try and sing in a British accent.
“I’d literally be in Oliver Twist if I did it,” she quipped. Numerous British vocalists adopt an American-style accent whilst singing owing to the powerful influence of American musical genres, plus it’s frequently simpler to articulate particular vowels in an American manner.
Artists such as Adele, Mick Jagger, Harry Styles and Elton John have been recognised for employing this vocal style.
Responding to Mimi’s video, one supporter remarked: “A lot of vowels are way easier signing with a slight American twang – else it becomes quite awkward on extended notes.
“It actually sounds so good Mimi no joke,” commented another.
A further viewer penned: “Sometimes absolutely sounds like she’s [Mimi is] singing in British and it works so well! Not every song sounds it but I’ve noticed it a little here and there. she is British too, it’s definitely possible to pull it off.”
Another observer stated: “No one songs in a British accent. We don’t pronounce in that way when you sing it’s just everything is rounded up when you sing. Only exception would be rapping.
“Depends on the song,” highlighted one additional commenter. “American jus sounds smoother,” maintained another music enthusiast.
One person observed: “I don’t think you sound American as such, but you have an awesome voice and even if you stuck to the ‘Oliver’ accent, you’d still be huge.”
However, one further individual declared: “No, I love the British accent in songs. I’m not even British.”