Raye has opened up about her love life, revealing she has been single for years after a devastating break-up left her wary of falling in love again.
The 26-year-old singer-songwriter, whose real name is Rachel Keen, spoke candidly in a new interview about the lasting impact of her last serious relationship.
“I’ve been single for so long. My last devastating break-up was four, five years ago,” she told British Vogue. “I was like, ‘I'm gonna marry him.’ We was together for two years and it ended up not working out.
“I have never experienced a more crippling emotion. It took me three, four years to get over him. Like, I can’t allow myself to fall in love until it’s safe.”
The Escapism hit-maker, who won a record-breaking six Brit Awards last year, admitted that while she has healed from the heartbreak, she is still cautious about opening her heart again.
Even so, Raye hasn’t given up on finding the right person. She painted a picture of how she dreams of meeting a future partner in the most romantic of ways.
“Is it too much to ask that I’m sat at a bar one day and you walk up to me, and we look into each other’s eyes and you order me a negroni, and we get talking and you love jazz music and you’re intelligent and you’re telling me a quote about something and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m moved’?” she said. “I’m holding onto that. I’m in no rush. I believe what’s meant to be will be.”
Raye also took the opportunity to address ongoing speculation about her private life. She shot down reports linking her to Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, insisting he is simply a “very important person in my life” and a “great friend” she has known for a couple of years. The singer stressed there is nothing romantic between them.
She further explained that her perspective on love has been shaped by her parents’ long-lasting marriage, which she described as setting the bar high. Their resilience and commitment, she said, gave her an example of the kind of relationship she hopes to find one day.
Fans can read her full reflections on love, heartbreak and family in the October issue of British Vogue, available digitally and on newsstands from Tuesday 23 September.
