Seal (musician)

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel was born on 19 February 1963 at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London,{{cite web |title=Seal |url=https://www.biography.com/people/seal-21212845 |website=Biography.com |access-date=19 February 2019}} to a Nigerian mother, Adebisi Ogundeji, and an Afro-Brazilian father, Francis Samuel.{{Cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2003/09/07/seal_chooses_idealism_optimism_on_new_cd/ |title=Seal chooses idealism, optimism on new CD |last=Morse |first=Steve|date=9 July 2003 |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=12 March 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.askmen.com/toys/interview_100/102_seal_interview.html |title=Seal... still a part of him that wants to give |website=Askmen.com |access-date=26 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311131607/http://www.askmen.com/toys/interview_100/102_seal_interview.html}} He was raised by a foster family in Westminster, London. He received a two-year diploma in architecture and had various jobs in the London area.{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/seal/artist.jhtml |title=Seal | |publisher=VH1 |access-date=15 January 2016 |archive-date=26 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226061108/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/seal/artist.jhtml |url-status=dead }}

In the 1980s, Seal spent a short time singing in local clubs and bars. In 1987, he joined Push, a British funk band, and toured with them in Japan. In Thailand, he joined a blues band for a while before separating from the group and journeying throughout India on his own. He returned to England, sleeping on the couch of friend Julian Bunster, then a model. He sometimes asked him, "Do I sing well?", to which he often received the response that he sang better than most current artists. Then he met the producer Adamski to whom Seal provided lyrics and vocals on Adamski's single "Killer".

"Killer" eventually reached number one in the UK. Seal subsequently signed to ZTT Records and released his self-titled début album (produced by Trevor Horn) in 1991. Two versions of the album are known to be in circulation: the original "premix" version and a second, more common version with an updated mix. This is attributed to the demand for a produced single rushing the final album edit and, as Seal puts it, producer Horn's "inability to let go".{{cite web|url=http://futureloveparadise.co.uk/index.html?s=anthology&d=disc-album&p=seal1edit |title=10 Years on and Still the Web's Best Source of Seal Info |publisher=Future Love Paradise |access-date=26 April 2011}}

Seal was positively received by critics. The singles "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise" and his own rendition of "Killer" performed well on the charts. In particular, "Crazy" became an international hit in 1991, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart and number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=seal|chart=all}} |title=Seal: Single Chart History |magazine=Billboard |access-date=26 April 2011}} Seal stole the show at the 1992 Brit Awards held at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, with the first hat-trick of wins in the history of the event.{{cite web |url=http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1992 |title=History |publisher=Brit Awards |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=15 January 2016 |archive-date=14 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114193144/http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1992 |url-status=dead }} He won in three categories: Best British Male, Best British Video ("Killer") and Best British Album (Seal).

In 1992, Seal appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD Red Hot + Dance, contributing an exclusive track "Crazy (If I Was Trev Mix)". The album, featuring George Michael and Madonna among others, raised money and awareness in support of the AIDS epidemic by donating all proceeds to AIDS charities.{{cite news |title=Red Hot + Dance |url=https://redhot.org/project/red-hot-dance/ |access-date=19 April 2022 |agency=Redhot.org}}

Jeff Beck and Seal performed a cover of "Manic Depression" for the 1993 album Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Seal also contributed vocals to a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" for the 2010 Herbie Hancock album, The Imagine Project along with P!nk, India.Arie, Jeff Beck, Konono Nº1, Oumou Sangaré and others.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=36827 |title=The Imagine Project |magazine=All About Jazz |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=29 November 2010}}

After Seal regrouped with Trevor Horn, his second album, also self-titled, was released in 1994. A success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend", and later received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. "Prayer for the Dying" became a minor pop hit in the US, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. A third single, "Kiss from a Rose", performed modestly when released, but was later featured to much wider popularity when it was remixed for the soundtrack to Batman Forever. "Kiss from a Rose" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1996, becoming Seal's best-performing single on the US market (it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in late August 1995) and hit number four in the UK.Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records Limited

In 1998, Seal released Human Being. The album was the product of a turbulent time in his life, including a split and later reconciliation with producer Horn, as well as Seal's parting with ZTT Records and his signing with Warner Bros. Records in 1997. The record was panned upon its release. It received gold record certification by the RIAA just two months after its release date.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/ |title=Home |publisher=RIAA |date=3 November 2015 |access-date=15 January 2016}} The album provided two singles – "Human Beings" and "Lost My Faith".

In 2001, fans awaited the arrival of a new album, announced as Togetherland. After a protracted postproduction period, the album was cancelled. The official word was that Seal simply did not think it made the grade, although this conflicts with other reports,{{cite web|url=https://www.angelfire.com/co2/redwolf707/seal.html |title=Clay's Seal Page |website=Angelfire.com |access-date=15 January 2016}} that said the album was turned down by the label because producers felt the album would not be commercially successful. Even so, one single was released from the album; "This Could Be Heaven" was released in the US and featured on The Family Man soundtrack. Since December 2006, Seal has indicated that he has plans to excerpt cuts from Togetherland and make them available for streaming download. Meanwhile, Seal co-wrote and provided vocals for the hit single "My Vision" from Jakatta in 2002. He also recorded a successful duet with French singer Mylène Farmer called "Les Mots" during that same period. Also in 2002, Seal lent his vocals to the song "You Are My Kind", the fourth track on Santana's album Shaman.

In 2003, Seal released his fourth album Seal IV. Although it never achieved the sales figures of either of his first two albums, this release brought him back into the public eye in the United States and continental Europe. Singles from the album include "Waiting for You", "Get It Together" and "Love's Divine"; the latter was released in 2004 and was a big hit in several European countries.

In 2004, a greatest-hits album entitled Best 1991–2004 was released, including a cover of the Bacharach/David classic "Walk On By" and a cover of Echo & the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar". An edition of the album was available that included an extra CD with acoustic versions of some of Seal's hits. Also in 2004, Seal performed shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris. The show of 6 July 2004 was recorded and released about one year after as a CD/DVD package, simply titled Live in Paris.

In June 2005, Seal recorded a concert which was subsequently released in 2006, entitled One Night to Remember, as a CD/DVD combination. The DVD includes a "making of" documentary in addition to the live performance. Recorded in a historic steel mill, the Altes Kesselhaus ("old boiler house"), in Düsseldorf, Germany, this performance includes a version of Brahms' Lullaby which Seal sings in German and then in English. Unlike earlier recordings in which Seal is accompanied by his band, a full orchestra and choir of 52 musicians accompanies the singer.File:Show Seal.JPG

System was released in the UK on 12 November 2007 and in the US on 13 November 2007.{{citation|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/51003/seal-system/|title=Seal – System|department=Music Review|author=Joseph, Mike|work=PopMatters|date=13 November 2007|access-date=24 November 2007|archive-date=25 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725153228/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/51003/seal-system/|url-status=dead}} Seal describes the album as more dance-oriented, apparently a return to the roots of his first album. On the track titled "Wedding Day", Seal sings a duet with his then-wife, model Heidi Klum. The album's first single, "Amazing", was released on 25 September 2007 and nominated for the "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy at the 2007 50th Annual Grammy Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/|title=Grammy Awards|website=Grammy.com|access-date=9 July 2021}}

Seal performed "Amazing" and the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" at the 2007 Royal Variety Performance. Seal also performed "Amazing" at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in December, as well as the duet "Wedding Day" with his wife. Other performers at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show include the Spice Girls and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. He appeared on the American Idol season-seven finale, singing with third-place contestant Syesha Mercado.

Seal's sixth studio album, Soul, was released on 3 November 2008 internationally and on 11 November 2008 in the US. It contains 11 soul classics produced by David Foster.{{cite web|url=http://www.seal.com/video.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011082954/http://www.seal.com/video.html |archive-date=11 October 2008 |title=Soul |access-date=15 January 2016}} The first single was a cover of Sam Cooke{{'s}} song "A Change Is Gonna Come".

On 14 March 2009, Seal performed a song from the album and coached the participants on the "Top 9-Show" of the sixth season of the German TV show Deutschland sucht den Superstar (German Idol).{{cite web|url=http://www.rp-online.de/panorama/leute/seal-coacht-dsds-kandidaten-aid-1.2447990|title=Seal coacht DSDS-Kandidaten |work=RP Online |language=de |date=2 February 2009 |access-date=29 January 2016}} On 4 December 2009, Hits, a compilation album, was released. It contains two new tracks, "I Am Your Man" and "Thank You".

file:Seal Hannover.jpg

Seal's seventh studio album, Seal 6: Commitment was released on 20 September 2010 internationally and 28 September 2010 in the US. The first single "Secret" was released 10 August 2010 on iTunes in the US and in the UK on 13 September 2010. This album was said to be inspired by his wife, Heidi.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a279311/heidi-klum-im-lucky-to-have-seal.html |title=Showbiz – News – Heidi Klum: 'I'm lucky to have Seal' |website=Digital Spy |date=29 September 2010 |access-date=26 April 2011}} On 7 November 2011, Seal released his second cover album of classic soul songs, Soul 2 through Reprise Records.

In October 2011, Seal was criticized by human-rights groups for appearing at an event in Grozny, Chechnya, that turned into a birthday celebration for Ramzan Kadyrov, the President of Chechnya.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/466042/seal-takes-heat-for-serenading-chechen-strongman |title=Seal takes heat for serenading Chechen strongman |magazine=Billboard |date=13 October 2011 }} Also appearing at the event were the actress Hilary Swank, actor Jean-Claude Van Damme and violinist Vanessa-Mae. The New York–based Human Rights Foundation claims that it sent letters to invitees in advance of the event noting Kadyrov's record and asking them to decline the invitations.{{cite web|url=http://www.humanrightsfoundation.org/media/HilarySwankapologizes20111012.html |title=Hilary Swank apologizes – Pleads ignorance; but will she keep the Chechen warlord's money? |publisher=Human Rights Foundation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017115719/http://www.humanrightsfoundation.org/media/HilarySwankapologizes20111012.html |archive-date=17 October 2011 }} Human Rights Watch sent an enquiry to Seal regarding his performance at the event and released a statement about the incident that said:

{{blockquote|Ramzan Kadyrov is linked to a litany of horrific human rights abuses. It's inappropriate for stars to get paid to party with him. It bolsters his image and legitimizes a brutal leader and his regime. And getting paid to be part of such a lavish show in Chechnya trivialises the suffering of countless victims of human rights abuses there.{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/seal-chechnya-human-rights-247508 |title=Seal's Chechen Leader Birthday Bash Performance Questioned By Human Rights Group |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Kim |last=Masters |date=12 October 2011 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/13/hilary-swank-regrets-chechen-party |title=Hilary Swank 'regrets' partying with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov |work=The Guardian|location=London |first=Miriam |last=Elder |date=13 October 2011 }}}}

Seal refused to apologise for appearing at the event, sending a message from his Twitter account telling people to "leave me out of your politics". Seal was reported to have made $500,000 for singing at the party.{{cite web |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/24/celebrities-chummy-with-dictators-risk-damaging-their-brand/ |title=Hilary Swank cancels Toronto speech amid controversy over Ramzan Kadyrov birthday appearance |first=Tom |last=Blackwell |work=National Post |date=24 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2011 }}

In 2012, Seal was one of the four vocal coaches in the first season of the Australian version of the reality singing competition The Voice. He was the coach of the series winner Karise Eden. Seal returned to The Voice season two, which debuted on 7 April 2013, where he became the winning coach once again, coaching eventual winner Harrison Craig.{{Cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1123/thevoiceaus.html |title=Judges announced for Aussie Voice |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=23 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125032301/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1123/thevoiceaus.html |archive-date=25 November 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.thevoice.com.au/profiles.html |title=Home | 9Jumpin |work=The Voice |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=15 January 2016}} He did not return for the third season in 2014 with the Nine Network stating that Seal "will take a break from the third season of The Voice to focus on music and material for a new album." Channel NINE announced on 8 November 2016 that Seal would be returning alongside Delta Goodrem to The Voice as a coach in 2017, replacing Jessie J after a three-year hiatus.

On 15 November 2014, Seal joined the charity group Band Aid 30 along with other British and Irish pop acts, recording the latest version of the track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, to raise money for the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa.{{Cite news|title=Band Aid 30: One Direction among celebrity line-up|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=10 November 2014|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/11220735/Band-Aid-30-line-up-revealed.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/11220735/Band-Aid-30-line-up-revealed.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} Seal was cast as Pontius Pilate in Tyler Perry's musical rendition of The Passion, which aired on Fox on 20 March 2016.{{cite web|title=Seal Cast as Pontius Pilate for Fox's 'The Passion'|url=http://www.thewrap.com/seal-cast-as-pontius-pilate-for-foxs-the-passion/|website=The Wrap|date=4 February 2016|access-date=12 February 2016}}

Seal began work on a new album, initially entitled Let Yourself, produced again by Horn. In February 2015, Horn said the album was nearly finished.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-SH22suqmo | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/N-SH22suqmo| archive-date=28 October 2021|title=ME1 TV Talks To... Trevor Horn | date=9 February 2015|via=YouTube |access-date=15 January 2016}}{{cbignore}} Seal later re-signed to Perfect Songs and had a two-week writing period in Horn's Los Angeles studio booked for October 2012. Stewart Copeland (formerly of the Police) said that month on his Twitter feed that Trevor Horn and Lol Crème were working with Seal on a project. In April 2013, Seal said on Twitter that the new album would be released in about June (which did not eventuate) and that tracks to be included were "Let Yourself", "Do You Ever" and "Laying with an Angel".{{cite web|author=Henry Potts |url=http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/wnalum.htm#horn |title=Where are they now? – Former Yes members |website=Bondegezou.co.uk |access-date=15 January 2016}} The album was later retitled Beautifully Scarred.{{cite web |url=https://instagram.com/p/5mo0tmQgAa/ |title=Instagram |via=Instagram |access-date=15 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103840/https://www.instagram.com/p/5mo0tmQgAa/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} On 10 September 2015, Seal announced that the album, now named 7, would be released on 6 November 2015.

Seal released the album Standards in November 2017. The album was produced by classical crossover composer Nick Patrick. It received a nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2018 Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite web |title=GRAMMY Award Results for Seal |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/seal/6331 |website=grammy.com |access-date=23 October 2020}}

In 2022, Seal launched his own limited-edition camera with Leica, a Q2 camera called Dawn, which is limited to 500 cameras.{{Cite web |last=Sayej |first=Nadja |title=Worldwise: Grammy Winning Musician and Photography Aficionado Seal's Favorite Things |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/worldwise-grammy-winning-musician-and-photography-aficionado-seals-favorite-things-01670448164 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=barrons.com}}

Seal announced a North American tour in 2023 with Trevor Horn as the musical director, who also doubles as the show opener with his band, The Buggles.{{cite web | url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/238178/9 | title=Seal Announces Spring 30th Anniversary North American Tour |website=Stereoboard |date=18 January 2023 |access-date=17 February 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-06-06/seal-trevor-horn-kiss-from-a-rose-minefield-george-clooney-heidi-klum |title=Seal on the George Clooney connection to 'Kiss From a Rose' and why singing it is a 'minefield' |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=6 June 2023 |access-date=17 February 2025}} In 2024, he released an alternate version of "Kiss from a Rose" with a deluxe edition of the album Seal upon its 30th anniversary.{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2259711/hear-an-alternate-version-of-kiss-from-a-rose-from-new-seal-30th-anniversary-reissue/music/ |title=Hear An Alternate Version Of "Kiss From A Rose" From New Seal 30th Anniversary Reissue |work=Stereogum |last=Rettig |first=James |date=16 April 2024 |access-date=17 February 2025}}

He released a new song, "All I Know is Now", produced by Horn, on 14 February 2025.{{cite web |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/813310/seal-long-awaited-update-after-a-decade-new-music/ |title=Seal shares long-awaited update 'over a decade' in the making that sparks reaction |work=Hello! Magazine |last=Sanwari |first=Ahad |date=10 February 2025 |access-date=17 February 2025}}

The prominent scarring on Seal's face is the result of a type of lupus called discoid lupus erythematosus, which affects the skin and leaves large scars.{{Cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB423D0775E4792&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716141446/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB423D0775E4792&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 July 2012|title=Seal's new album is soul pop without the soul|last=O'Reilly|first=Finbarr|date=19 November 1998|work=NewsBank|page=43|access-date=12 March 2011|location=Chicago, Illinois, USA}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujsDAAAAMBAJ&q=seal+lupus&pg=PA36 |title=Celebrities Who Have Overcome Obstacles, Jet |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|date=10 June 1996 |access-date=26 April 2011}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/129291_Beyond-beauty|title=Beyond beauty|last=Hussey-Whyte|first=Donna|date=12 November 2007|work=The Jamaica Observer|access-date=12 March 2011|location=Kingston, Jamaica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184215/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/allwoman/129291_Beyond-beauty|archive-date=28 June 2011}}{{cite web |title=What I see in the mirror: Seal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/nov/11/seal-what-see-in-mirror |website=The Guardian|location=London|date=11 November 2011 }}

Seal's brother, Jeymes Samuel, better known as the Bullitts, is also a singer-songwriter.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/01/jay-z-the-great-gatsby-score-soundtrack/ |title=Jay-Z and Seal's Brother Score 'The Great Gatsby' |work=Spin|date=2 January 2013 |access-date=15 January 2016}}

Seal first began dating German model Heidi Klum in February 2004,{{Cite news| url= https://people.com/celebrity/heidi-klum-seal-and-i-have-not-married/|work=People|title=Heidi Klum: Seal and I Have Not Married| date=25 March 2005}} shortly after she announced her pregnancy and the end of her relationship with Italian Formula One team manager Flavio Briatore. Seal proposed to Klum on 23 December 2004 in a quinzee{{Cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11552972 |publisher=BBC News | title=Five Minutes With: Seal | date=16 October 2010}} he had built on a glacier in Whistler, British Columbia.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/heidi-klum-and-seal-engaged-to-wed/|title=Heidi Klum and Seal Engaged to Wed|date=4 January 2005|author=Stephen M. Silverman|author-link=Stephen M. Silverman|first2=KC|last2=Baker|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126125118/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1013954,00.html|archive-date=26 January 2012|access-date=26 October 2012}} On 10 May 2005, the couple married on a beach in Mexico near Seal's home on Costa Careyes.{{cite web|url= https://people.com/celebrity/heidi-klum-and-seal-marry-in-mexico/ |title=Heidi Klum and Seal Marry in Mexico|website=People|date=10 May 2005|access-date=26 October 2019}} Every year during their marriage, Seal and Klum renewed their vows on their anniversary with close friends and family. About these renewals, Seal said in 2010, "Each year, Heidi and I get remarried. It's a great party, but for about an hour, we go off on our own down to a private beach. We sit there with the kids and read vows to each other as the sun sets. It's a very special moment to us."{{cite web|last=Wihlborg |first=Ulrica |url= https://people.com/celebrity/heidi-klum-and-seal-renew-their-wedding-vows/|title=Heidi Klum and Seal Renew Their Wedding Vows |work=People|date=8 May 2010 |access-date=26 October 2019}} In November 2009, Klum officially adopted Seal's surname and became legally known as Heidi Samuel.{{cite web|url= https://people.com/celebrity/heidi-klum-officially-takes-seals-last-name/|first=Ken|last=Lee|title=Heidi Klum Officially Takes Seal's Last Name|access-date=26 October 2019|date=20 November 2009|work=People|quote=A rep for Klum did not comment when asked if [she] intends to be known professionally as Heidi Samuel from now on.}}

On 11 June 2009, Seal, on tour with his new album Soul, revealed, "It is nice to be in newspapers and magazines for something other than my marriage". He said his marriage to Klum may take away the attention, but does not detract from what he loves doing: making music.{{Cite news |url=http://player.video.news.com.au/news/#pa6p_MA97H8G2v_Fqn9VRCG6Itc95SEa |title=Seal on his comeback |date=11 June 2009 |publisher=News.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616034534/http://player.video.news.com.au/news/#pa6p_MA97H8G2v_Fqn9VRCG6Itc95SEa |archive-date=16 June 2009}} In February 2011, Klum praised Seal for his good parenting skills, saying, "When I first met Seal he had a kindness and compassion that was so sincere I knew he'd be a good father... He has infinite amounts of love and patience for our kids... He puts me and the children first".{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a303464/klum-praises-seals-parenting-skills.html |title=Showbiz – News – Klum praises Seal's parenting skills |website=Digital Spy |date=12 February 2011 |access-date=26 April 2011}} Klum also remarked how lucky she was to have a husband like Seal.

Klum gave birth to Briatore's daughter in May 2004 in New York City{{cite web|author1=KC Baker |author2=Stephen M. Silverman |author2-link=Stephen M. Silverman |name-list-style=amp |url=https://people.com/celebrity/klum-dixie-chick-welcome-3-baby-girls/ |title=Klum, Dixie Chick Welcome 3 Baby Girls |work=People|date=5 May 2004 |access-date=26 April 2011}} with Seal at her side. According to Klum, Briatore is not involved in fathering duties and she has stated emphatically that Seal is Leni's father.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/celebwatch/2007-12-09-heidi-klum_N.htm|title=Celeb Watch: Heidi Klum relishes her model family life|access-date=4 December 2007|author=William Keck|date=3 December 2007|newspaper=USA Today}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/heidi-klum-gives-birth/2005/09/13/1126377313883.html|title=Heidi Klum gives birth|date=14 September 2005|agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur}} Seal is her only father figure and he has praised Briatore for keeping his distance.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/seal-on-being-a/|title=Seal on being a father and Heidi not being pregnant, for once!|website=People|date=4 November 2007|access-date=26 October 2019}} In late 2009, Seal officially adopted Klum's daughter and her last name was changed to Samuel.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/seal-opens-up-about-decision-to-adopt-leni/|title=Seal Opens Up About Decision to Adopt Leni |work=People|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308131506/http://celebrity-babies.com/2009/12/14/seal-opens-up-about-decision-to-adopt-leni/ |archive-date=8 March 2010 }} The couple have three other children: two sons Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel (born September 2005) and Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel (born November 2006); and a daughter named Lou born in October 2009.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/klum-names-son-after-her-dad-and-seal/|title=Klum Names Son After Her Dad and Seal|date=14 September 2005|access-date=26 October 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/heidi-klum-and-seal-have-a-boy/amp/|title=Heidi Klum and Seal Have a Boy|access-date=26 October 2019|author=Stephen M. Silverman|author-link=Stephen M. Silverman|date=23 November 2006|website=People|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829113205/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1542119,00.html|archive-date=29 August 2007}}{{cite news|url=https://people.com/parents/heidi-klum-and-seal-welcome-daughter-lou/ |title=Heidi Klum and Seal Welcome Daughter Lou Sulola|work=People|access-date=12 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015093121/http://celebrity-babies.com/2009/10/12/heidi-klum-and-seal-welcome-daughter-lou/ |archive-date=15 October 2009 }}

On 22 January 2012, Seal and Klum announced that they were separating after nearly seven years of marriage.{{cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/seal-and-heidi-klum-confirm-separation/|title=Seal and Heidi Klum Confirm Separation|last=Bartolomeo|first=Joel|date=22 January 2012|work=People|access-date=26 October 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/23/showbiz/seal-klum-split/index.html|title=Supermodel Heidi Klum, pop star Seal separate|date=23 January 2012|publisher=CNN|access-date=23 January 2012}} Klum filed for divorce from Seal on 6 April 2012.{{cite web |title=Heidi Klum Files for Divorce from Seal |url=http://people.com/celebrity/heidi-klum-seal-divorce-filed/ |website=People|access-date=11 January 2018}} Their divorce was finalised on 14 October 2014.{{cite web |title=Heidi Klum, Seal's Divorce Is Finalized Two Years After Split|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/heidi-klum-seal-divorce-finalized-two-years-split-20141510 |website=Us Weekly |date=15 October 2014 |access-date=11 January 2018}}

Since 2021, he has been in a relationship with his former personal assistant Laura Strayer.{{cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3298212/meet-seals-partner-laura-strayer-who-used-be-his-assistant-kiss-rose-singer-who-just-appeared-taika |title=Meet Seal's partner Laura Strayer, who used to be his assistant: the 'Kiss From a Rose' singer – who just appeared in Taika Waititi's Mountain Dew Super Bowl ad – has been dating her since 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |last=Bradley |first=Faye |date=11 February 2025 |access-date=17 February 2025}}

In April 1992, Seal performed with the surviving members of Queen at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at London's Wembley Stadium five months after Mercury's death.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/fmtributedvd.htm#who |title=Queen 'The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert' video and song lyrics |website=Ultimatequeen.co.uk |access-date=15 January 2016}} Seal sang the 1986 Queen hit "Who Wants to Live Forever" and joined the rest of the acts for the all-star finale singing "We Are the Champions". Thomas Curtis-Horsfall of Smooth Radio stated Seal's performance of "Who Wants to Live Forever" was "one of the standout moments" from the concert, adding "his spine-tingling rendition of the Queen classic had everyone in the arena close to tears."{{cite news |title=Watch Seal's powerful tribute to Freddie Mercury from 1992 with 'Who Wants To Live Forever' |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/freddie-mercury/seal-queen-cover-tribute-live-forever-video/ |access-date=27 November 2022 |publisher=Smooth Radio}}

On 10 March 2012, Seal shared the stage with Kanye West, Soul Rebels Brass Band and Snoop Dogg at Brad Pitt's Night to Make It Right Foundation New Orleans after-party, hosted by comedian Aziz Ansari.{{cite web|last=To Make It Right|first=Night|title=Night To Make It Right After Party|url=http://www.nighttomakeitright.com/after-party/|access-date=7 April 2012}} The charity event, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, raised money to build homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

• In 2003 he performed the song "Mona Lisa" for the film Mona Lisa Smile.
• Seal and his then-wife Heidi Klum announced in June 2010 that they would be making a reality series on Lifetime titled Love's Divine (after Seal's song of the same name).{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Klum-Seal-Lifetime-1019252.aspx|title=Heidi Klum and Seal to show Love's Divine with New Reality Series|work=TV Guide}}
• Seal was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists careers.{{cite web|url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp |title=Past Judges |publisher=Independent Music Awards |access-date=26 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713024722/http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp |archive-date=13 July 2011 }}
• In 2016, Seal portrayed himself in the mockumentary film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. In this film, Seal claims that his facial scars were the results of an encounter with wolves.
• In 2017, Seal was a guest judge for season 12 of America's Got Talent. He pushed the Golden Buzzer for singer Johnny Manuel.
• Seal competed on the second season of The Masked Singer as "Leopard". He finished in fourth place.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/masked-singer-season-2-episode-11/|title=The Masked Singer sends home Thingamajig and Leopard in shocking double elimination! Find out which celebs were under the masks|author=Rachel Yang|date=11 December 2019|access-date=11 December 2019|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}
• Seal collaborated with Claptone on the song "Just A Ghost," released in 2021.{{Cite web|title=Claptone and Seal Collaborate on New Single 'Just a Ghost'|url=https://claptone.com/blogs/news/claptone-and-seal-collaborate-on-new-single-just-a-ghost|access-date=1 January 2022|publisher=Claptone|date=3 September 2021 }}
• Seal guest-starred in the 2021 animated film Seal Team where he voices a singing cape fur seal named Seal Seal.
• On 29 April 2022, Seal appeared as a masked international star on the {{ill|lt=3rd season|Saison 3 de Mask Singer#5e épisode, le 29 avril 2022, les quarts-de-finales|fr|vertical-align=sup}} of the Masked Singer France, performing "With or Without You" by U2 while dressed as a cowboy.
• Seal appeared in the 2022 film Me Time, where he performed at a party with the film's main character Sonny.{{cite web |url=https://movieweb.com/john-hamburg-me-time-netflix-interview/ |title=Exclusive: John Hamburg on Directing Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg, and Seal in Netflix Comedy Me Time |website=Movieweb |last=Kraft |first=Tim |date=26 August 2022 |access-date=9 August 2023}}
• In 2025, Seal was featured in a Mountain Dew commercial for the Super Bowl LIX, singing a parody of his song "Kiss From a Rose".{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Russell |date=7 February 2025 |title=Seal Says It Wasn't Difficult to Become a Seal for Super Bowl Ad |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/seal-says-it-wasnt-difficult-to-become-a-seal-for-super-bowl-ad/ |access-date=12 February 2025 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Seal discography}}

Studio albums

• Seal (1991)
• Seal ("Seal II") (1994)
• Human Being (1998)
• Seal IV (2003)
• System (2007)
• Soul (2008)
• Seal 6: Commitment (2010)
• Soul 2 (2011)
• 7 (2015)
• Standards (2017)

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|-

! scope="col" | Award

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Nominee(s)

! scope="col" | Category

! scope="col" | Result

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

|-

!scope="row"|APRA Music Awards

| 1996

| rowspan=2|"Kiss from a Rose"

| Most Performed Foreign Work

| {{won}}

| {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090918020033/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/1996Winners.aspx | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/1996Winners.aspx | title = 1996 Winners – APRA Music Awards | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) | archive-date = 18 September 2009 | access-date = 11 September 2018 }}

|-

!scope="row"|BMI London Awards

|2021

| 6 Million Award

| {{won}}

| {{cite web | url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi-2021-london-awards | title=BMI Celebrates its 2021 London Award Winners | date=11 October 2021 }}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=4|BMI Pop Awards

| 1993

| "Crazy"

| rowspan=4|Award-Winning Songs

| {{won}}

| {{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-11-20.pdf|title=Music Week|website=Worldradiohistory.com|date=20 November 1993|access-date=27 May 2023}}

|-

| rowspan=2|1996

| "Kiss from a Rose"

| {{won}}

| rowspan=2|{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rwkEAAAAMBAJ&q=a-ha+BMI+Awards+1993&pg=PA103|title=Billboard|page=103|date=1 June 1996|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}

|-

| "Prayer for the Dying"

| {{won}}

|-

| 2005

| "Love's Divine"

| {{won}}

| {{cite web | url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20050518_3_doors_down_lil_jon_emi_top_bmi_pop_awards_paul_simon_honored | title=3 Doors Down, Lil Jon, EMI Top BMI Pop Awards; Paul Simon Honored as Icon | date=17 May 2005 }}

|-

!scope="row" | Billboard Music Video Award

| 1995

| "Kiss from a Rose"

| Best Pop/Rock Video of the Year

| {{Nominated}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wg4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20|title=Billboard|page=20|date=4 November 1995|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|access-date=9 July 2021|via=Google Books}}

|-

!scope="row"|Blockbuster Entertainment Awards

| 1995

| Himself

| Favorite Pop Artist - Male

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web| title=Cashbox | date=11 March 1995 | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-03-11.pdf#page=18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818001157/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-03-11.pdf | archive-date=18 August 2020}}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=8|Brit Awards

| rowspan=2|1991

| "Killer" (with Adamski)

| rowspan=2|British Single of the Year

| {{nom}}

| rowspan=2|

|-

| "Crazy"

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=4|1992

| rowspan=2|Himself

| British Breakthrough Act

| {{nom}}

| rowspan=4|

|-

| British Male Solo Artist

| {{won}}

|-

| Seal

| British Album of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| "Killer" (solo version)

| rowspan=2|British Video of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan=2|1995

| "Prayer for the Dying"

| {{nom}}

| rowspan=2|

|-

| Himself

| British Male Solo Artist

| {{nom}}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=4|Cash Box Year-End Awards

| 1994

| "Prayer for the Dying"

| rowspan=2|Top Pop Single

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web| title=Cashbox | date=18 December 1994 | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-12-31.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812061102/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-12-31.pdf | archive-date=12 August 2020}}

|-

| rowspan=3|1995

| "Kiss from a Rose"

| {{won}}

| rowspan=3|{{Cite web| title=Cashbox | date=30 December 1995 | url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-12-30.pdf#page=10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818002931/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-12-30.pdf | archive-date=18 August 2020}}

|-

| rowspan=2|Himself

| Pop Singles: Top Male Artist

| {{nom}}

|-

| Pop Albums: Top Pop/Rock Male Artist

| {{nom}}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=15|Grammy Awards

| rowspan="2"| 1992

| Himself

| Best New Artist

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="15"| {{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/seal/6331|title=Seal|date=23 November 2020|website=Grammy.com|access-date=9 July 2021}}

|-

| "Crazy"

| rowspan=2|Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan="3"| 1995

| "Prayer for the Dying"

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| Seal

| Album of the Year

| {{nom}}

|-

| Best Pop Vocal Album

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan="3"| 1996

| rowspan="3"| "Kiss from a Rose"

| Record of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| Song of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="6"| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

| {{won}}

|-

| 1998

| "Fly Like an Eagle"

| {{nom}}

|-

| 2005

| "Love's Divine"

| {{nom}}

|-

| 2006

| "Walk On By"

| {{nom}}

|-

| 2008

| "Amazing"

| {{nom}}

|-

| 2010

| "If You Don't Know Me by Now"

| {{nom}}

|-

| 2011

| "Imagine"

| Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals

| {{won}}

|-

| 2019

| Standards

| Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

| {{nom}}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=2|Hungarian Music Awards

| 2008

| System

| rowspan=2|Best Foreign Pop Album

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web|date=12 August 2016|title=Jelöltek 2008|url=http://www.fonogram.hu/jeloltek-2008|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Fonogram|language=hu}}

|-

| 2009

| Soul

| {{nom}}

| {{Cite web|date=12 August 2016|title=Jelöltek 2009|url=http://www.fonogram.hu/jeloltek-2009|access-date=23 July 2021|website=Fonogram|language=hu}}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=7|Ivor Novello Awards

| rowspan=3|1991

| rowspan=3|"Killer" (with Adamski)

| Most Performed Work

| {{nom}}

| rowspan=3|{{cite web | url=https://ivorsacademy.com/awards/the-ivors/archive/?ay=1991 | title=Archive | the Ivors | the Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators }}

|-

| The Best Selling 'A' Side

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=2|Best Contemporary Song

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan=2|1992

| rowspan=2|"Crazy"

| {{won}}

| rowspan=2|{{cite web | url=https://ivorsacademy.com/awards/the-ivors/archive/?ay=1992 | title=Archive | the Ivors | the Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators }}

|-

| rowspan=2|International Hit of the Year

| {{won}}

|-

| rowspan=2|1996

| rowspan=2|"Kiss from a Rose"

| {{won}}

| rowspan=2|{{cite web | url=https://ivorsacademy.com/awards/the-ivors/archive/?ay=1996 | title=Archive | the Ivors | the Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators }}

|-

| Best Song Included in a Film

| {{nom}}

|-

!scope="row" rowspan=5|Žebřík Music Awards

| 2004

| rowspan=3|Himself

| rowspan=3|Best International Male

| {{nom}}

| rowspan=5|{{Cite web |url=https://www.anketazebrik.cz/historie/2010-2004/ |title=2010-2004 – Anketa Žebřík |access-date=27 July 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718102516/https://www.anketazebrik.cz/historie/2010-2004/ |url-status=dead }}

|-

| 2005

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=2|2007

| {{nom}}

|-

| "Amazing"

| Best International Song

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=2|2008

| Himself

| Best International Male

| {{nom}}

{{end}}

{{expand section|date=September 2020}}

• Brazilians in the United Kingdom
• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• Lists of Billboard number-one singles

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category|Seal (musician)}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{MusicBrainz artist|id=f053ae01-dae6-4aae-9883-e8c279fdbef4|name=Seal}}
• {{IMDb name|id=0780499|name=Seal}}
• [http://seal.imeem.com/ Seal's imeem page featuring his entire catalog]
• {{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/14/arts/a-conjurer-of-new-age-vagaries-and-lush-grooves.html |title=A Conjurer of New Age Vagaries and Lush Grooves |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |date=14 August 1994 |work=The New York Times |page=26}}

{{Seal (musician)|state=expanded}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Seal

|list =

{{Brit British Album}}

{{Brit British Male}}

{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1990s}}

{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1990s}}

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}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seal}}

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