Dionne Bromfield Reflects on Tumultuous Teen Years and Amy Winehouse's Influence
One record deal, two back-to-back albums, multiple television appearances, and the backing of a Grammy Award-winning godmother—all achieved before turning sixteen. For Dionne Bromfield, now thirty years old and looking back with the clarity of hindsight, this whirlwind introduction to the music industry was both a blessing and a challenge.
A Launchpad Provided by Amy Winehouse
At just thirteen years old, while attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School, Bromfield was signed to Lioness Records. This label was founded by her godmother, the iconic Amy Winehouse, in 2009, inspired by Winehouse's deep affection for Motown and neo-soul sounds. Through a close friendship with Bromfield's mother, Julie Din, Winehouse became not just a family figure but a pivotal force in launching the young singer's career.
'She opened doors that most people would never get, so I’m forever grateful for that,' Bromfield revealed in an interview with Sunday Times Style. 'I know what got me through the door. But then you have to almost over prove—I actually can hold my own.'
This dynamic created an internal battle for Bromfield, as she worked to make peace with Winehouse's instrumental role while forging her own path forward. 'That is always going to be part of my story,' she acknowledged.
Fond Memories Amidst Personal Struggles
September 14 marks the fifteenth anniversary of Amy Winehouse's tragic death at age twenty-seven. Despite the addiction issues that marred her final years, Bromfield cherishes memories of a different side to her godmother.
'The Amy that everybody knows, I almost feel like I don’t know that Amy,' she said. 'If I see pictures of her now, sometimes it almost feels like the caricature of Amy.'
To Bromfield, Winehouse was the woman 'without the beehive, with a top knot hoovering or complaining about something,' or 'Amy cooking, and we’re just chatting about absolutely nothing.' She recalls Winehouse as a huge fan of the television show Countdown, often trying to solve the number puzzles during broadcasts.
Mentorship and Emotional Support
Winehouse served as both a musical mentor and an emotional confidante for Bromfield. The godmother offered blunt feedback on song choices—'This is cr*p,' she would say if unimpressed—and provided a listening ear for personal woes, like teenage heartbreaks.
Now, nearly two decades after her debut album and fifteen years since her last release, Bromfield adopts a philosophical perspective on the entertainment industry. 'I’ve seen the highs of the highs, I’ve seen the lows of the lows,' she reflected. When asked about the biggest lesson from being a child star, she pointed to misplaced trust: 'Thinking everyone was my friend. When things slow down, the friendships go as well.'
Exclusion from BRIT Awards Tribute Sparks Outcry
Bromfield recently voiced frustration after being omitted from a tribute to Amy Winehouse at this year's BRIT Awards. Record producer Mark Ronson honored the late singer with a rendition of 'Back to Black' and a video clip, but Bromfield's absence felt like a slight.
'To see so many of the people she loved musically included while I wasn't felt like an insult not just to me, but more importantly to Amy and her legacy,' she stated. Bromfield clarified that this was not about seeking spotlight but addressing deeper issues.
She claimed that since Winehouse's passing, certain individuals in the industry have hindered her career progress. 'Amy championed me musically in ways that didn't always align with others around her, and after she passed, that was made clear, opportunities for me were blocked and doors were deliberately closed.'
'Last night at The BRITs wasn't about one moment, it was another reminder of what I've been dealing with for many years,' Bromfield added. 'I'm not one to air my dirty laundry, but there's only so much someone can take and sometimes things need to be called out.'
