The world knows her as H.E.R., but the woman behind the name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose soulful sound and deep lyricism have redefined contemporary R&B. Her stage name, short for “Having Everything Revealed,” perfectly captures her philosophy, a balance of vulnerability, strength, and mystery that has captivated audiences worldwide.
H.E.R. first burst onto the music scene in 2016 with her debut single “Focus.” The track showcased her smooth, emotive voice and understated confidence, quickly earning her recognition as one of the genre’s most exciting new artists. She followed it up with “Best Part” — a heartfelt duet with Daniel Caesar that became an international hit and cemented her place among R&B’s modern icons. “Oh man, we are going to rock out,” she said with her signature humility and energy when asked what fans can expect from her performances. “That is what you can expect, just rocking out and having a good time.”
Her journey, however, hasn’t been without its challenges. When the pandemic struck, H.E.R., like many others, was forced into isolation. But instead of slowing down, she turned quarantine into a period of deep creativity. “Man, I learned so much about my process,” she explained. “I was producing myself, engineering myself, recording myself at my mom’s house, and having it kind of make do what it does. And also turning all that pain and fear and anxiety during quarantine, especially during the protests, into songs that reflected what was going on today. It definitely made me dig a little deeper.”
That ability to channel emotion into art reached new heights with her Oscar-winning song “Fight for You,” from the soundtrack of Judas and the Black Messiah. The song, written for a film chronicling the assassination of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, became both a tribute and a statement. “I feel like this is for the people,” H.E.R. said of the win. “We’re literally saying; as long as I am standing, we’re going to fight for you. And I have been given this platform and now an Oscar stage to share a message and to continue to spread the word of our history and our pain.”
That sense of purpose is what defines H.E.R. She doesn’t just make music, she uses it to inspire. Her activism goes hand in hand with her artistry, and that’s clear through her nonprofit, the Bring the Noise Foundation, which gives underprivileged students access to instruments and music education. “One of my biggest passions is bringing music back into schools,” she explained. “Making sure kids have access to instruments and being able to express and have an outlet in music, because I had that. So I think that’s really the key here, showing the new leaders of music that they matter.”
Beyond her impressive list of accolades, including multiple Grammys and that coveted Oscar, H.E.R. has become a beacon of representation and empowerment for young women everywhere. “Oh my gosh, me just being up there is a message,” she reflected. “It’s a message to all the young Black and Filipino girls, you can be up here too. What you say matters. What you sing matters. What you play, what you write, it matters. I just hope there’s another little girl out there thinking, ‘I can do that too.’”
Between her smooth vocals, her sharp songwriting, and her unwavering authenticity, H.E.R. has proven that true artistry goes beyond fame or image. She’s an artist who stands for something, and in doing so, she’s given her fans not just music to enjoy, but a message to believe in. With every note, H.E.R. reminds the world that having everything revealed isn’t about exposure, but about truth.
