LEGENDARY singer Gabrielle has returned to the world of music.
The star, whose career began with her hit 90s song Dreams, is often spotted covering her eye when she sings – and here’s why.
Why does Gabrielle cover her eye when she sings?
One thing fans of the famed singer may have noticed over the years is that Gabrielle, whose full name is Louise Gabrielle Bobb, likes to cover her right eye with her hair or with accessories like eye patches.
“It’s my comfort blanket and it makes me happy.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle suffered in her childhood with an eye condition named ptosis – which she felt compelled to cover up when she shot to fame in 1993.
It means one or both eyes have a dropping or falling of the upper eyelid.
The condition is also sometimes referred to as a “lazy eye” and can cause vision problems.
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WHAT IS PTOSIS?
Gabrielle has ptosis which is:
- Ptosis is the medical name for the drooping of the upper eyelid, which can happen in one or both eyes.
- A low upper lid can interfere with vision by affecting the top part of your visual field.
- It can also cause difficulty in keeping eyelids open, eyestrain or eyebrow ache, and fatigue, especially when reading.
Discussing the condition, Gabrielle explained: “I’ve been plagued by insecurities. Because being younger, I didn’t have that confidence, and I have this lazy eye, although I have it covered with an eye patch.’’
The singer also spoke out about the condition during an appearance on Loose Women back in 2019.
Talking to the panel, Gabrielle said: ‘’I choose to cover my lazy eye because I don’t want it to be seen.
“It’s my comfort blanket and it makes me happy.”
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Since then, she’s reverted to simply covering her right eye with a side parting of hair when in public.
Is Gabrielle married and does she have kids?
Gabrielle is not married and her relationship status is unknown.
However, the singer does have children.
Gabrielle has one son, Jordan, born in 1995, with Tony Antoniou – her former lover who was convicted of killing his stepfather Walter McCarthy.
The star also has a daughter named Patricia who was born in 2003.
Who was Gabrielle on the Masked Singer?
In February 2021, fans of the popular programme The Masked Singer were left shocked when Gabrielle was revealed as Harlequin – and it was guest judge Matt Lucas who recognised her straight away.
It really was one of the best things I’ve ever done
Gabrielle
In the end all the judges agreed with Matt, with only Davina McCall going for Emeli Sande instead.
Speaking after her unmasking, Gabrielle said: “I’m a very nervous performer and I thought this would bring me out of my comfort zone.”
Following her stint on the singing show, the star also admitted that ‘’she nearly walked out on the first day’’.
During an interview on Martin and Roman’s Weekend Best, Gabrielle said: ‘’Menopausal woman, that hot mask nearly killed me!”
She also explained that the mask was very “heavy” and she wasn’t able to fan her face.
Despite this, the singer said she enjoyed the experience.
Speaking in 2021, Gabrielle added: “Apart from when I was feeling hot and out of breath, I felt like a million dollars in that costume.
“It really was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
“I’m 52 this year, and I’m not afraid to say it loud and proud — now I’m more accepting of myself.
“I’m middle aged, and having the best time of my life.”
Despite having won a Brit award in 1994 for Best Breakthrough Artist, and then again in 1997 for Best British female, Gabrielle said she still doubted her vocal abilities on the show and was crippled with nerves.
She said: “I was scared initially because it’s so out of my comfort zone — it’s not one of my shows. I don’t do things like that.
“When I’m appearing at my own shows, it’s because people are coming to see me, they know what they’re getting. And all of a sudden, it’s like a singing thing — it’s like, ‘What, it’s a competition? I can’t be entering singing competitions!’ I actually didn’t think I’d get as far as I got.
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“Because, the odd time you’d hear a voice but you wouldn’t know who it was, so I’d hear voices and think, ‘They are phenomenal. I haven’t got a voice like that’. And it was bringing back insecurities.
‘’So I was so chuffed that I made it to the semi-finals. I’m like, ‘Wow, this is really cool. So I’m enjoying this moment’.”
