OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
AWARD NOMINEE
How did you come up with your name?
I got the name Pearl because I always wore pearls—naturally. One day in my theatre group, this fabulous lady (now one of my closest friends) couldn’t remember my real name, so she just called me “the boy with the pearl earring.” It became a running joke until the company owner shouted at her for not knowing my name. I just shrugged and said, “I’ve been called worse.” After that, Pearl stuck. Bit dramatic, bit fabulous—just like me.
What made you choose country music?
I grew up in Cornwall where my mum loved country music, and for a while, line dancing was all the rage—yes, even in Cornwall! That’s where it all started for me. I’ve never really been a pop girly—country music just speaks to my soul. Boots over beats any day.
Who would you love to duet with?
There are so many fabulous queer country artists coming out of the woodwork now, and I’m loving it. One of my good friends, Rini @iamriniryan - we went to college together and sang theatre duets for three years in shows—she’s now a stunning performer in Dubai. It would be amazing to team up again, but this time with a country twist. From showtunes to steel guitars… talk about a plot twist!
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Will we be seeing you at any Pride events this year?
I’m currently in talks to perform at a few different places—nothing’s set in stone yet, so I’m basically dating a bunch of venues and waiting to see who puts a ring on it. If you’ve got an opportunity for me, don’t be shy—slide into my inbox!
Visibility is key at the moment. How are you finding being LGBTQ+ in 2025?
Being LGBTQ+ in country music in 2025 is still a bit of a rodeo—sometimes you get applause, sometimes you get side-eye. Country still isn’t fully embraced in the queer community or vice versa, but I write from the heart, and my heart is unapologetically queer. All my original songs reflect that—because if I’m gonna sing my truth, it’s gonna come with a little twang and a lot of pride.
What can we expect from you in the next 12 months?
I’ve got a big year ahead—I’ll be releasing a brand new original single every month for at least the next eight months. The first one, Just Like Me, drops on May 23rd on all streaming platforms (yes, that’s an exclusive—remember where you heard it!). On top of that, I’ll be gigging all over the UK, rhinestones blazing, sharing my music and a bit of country fabulousness wherever I go. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a wild ride!