Benee

Benee – Life, Music & Creative Voice

Explore the life and musical journey of Benee (Stella Rose Bennett, born January 30, 2000), New Zealand singer-songwriter whose hit “Supalonely” brought her international acclaim. Discover her background, style, achievements, and favorite quotes.

Introduction

Stella Rose Bennett, known professionally as Benee (stylised in all caps), is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. “Supalonely” propelled her into international recognition, aided by viral moments on TikTok and streaming platforms.

Her music blends alternative pop, R&B, funk, dance-pop, bedroom pop, disco-pop influences.

Early Life & Background

Benee was born in the suburb of Grey Lynn, Auckland.

From a young age, she took guitar lessons (in primary school) and later studied saxophone in high school. water polo in her youth and once hoped to represent New Zealand in the sport.

She attended St Mary’s College, a girls’ Catholic school, where music was part of the curriculum for several years.

After finishing high school, Benee briefly enrolled in a communications degree at the Auckland University of Technology but left after only two weeks, during what she called a “quarter-life crisis.”

In interviews, Benee has disclosed that she has dyslexia and was diagnosed with OCD in 2021. She noted that in school she struggled with writing and grammar, and that songwriting offered her a freer way to express herself without being tied to strict “correctness.”

Career and Achievements

Beginnings & EPs

• She began by uploading cover versions to SoundCloud around 2017, giving her early visibility.

• Her solo debut single was “Tough Guy” (under the name Bene).

• In 2018 she released “Soaked”, which achieved double-platinum status in New Zealand.

• In June 2019 she released her first EP, Fire on Marzz, with producer Josh Fountain.

• Later that year, she released her second EP, Stella & Steve, which included “Supalonely” featuring Gus Dapperton.

• After “Supalonely” went viral, her music gained chart entries in the U.S., Canada, France, and more.

“Supalonely” Breakthrough

“Supalonely” became a major international hit in 2020, thanks in part to viral dance challenges on TikTok and streaming momentum.

Benee performed “Supalonely” on U.S. television shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Triple J Like a Version, including a version of James Blake’s “Mile High.”

Album & Recent Work

Her debut studio album, Hey U X, was released in November 2020.

In March 2022, she released a third EP, Lychee, which charted in New Zealand.

In 2025, she continued releasing new music, including “Off The Rails” (June 2025) and participating in the Minecraft Movie soundtrack with “Zero to Hero.”

She also relocated to Los Angeles around 2023 and performed at Coachella, marking a symbolic step in her global ambitions.

Awards & Recognition

• At the Aotearoa Music Awards, Benee won Single of the Year, Best Solo Artist, and Best Pop Artist both in 2019 and 2020.

• She holds the record for the most wins in the Best Pop Artist category at the Aotearoa Awards (4 wins).

• Her EPs and singles have charted in multiple countries; her streaming numbers have placed her among highly followed young artists in alternative pop.

Personality, Style & Themes

Benee’s music often balances lightness — whimsical, playful lyrics or offbeat imagery — with emotional directness and vulnerability.

She describes music videos as a place to experiment, stating:

“You can literally do anything in a video … you can write a song about anything; you can also write a video that is the weirdest thing you can relate to the song, and I find that quite cool.”

She admits she’s not naturally funny and doesn’t consider herself a strong dancer — yet she sees that as part of her charm and authenticity.

Famous Quotes

Here are some representative quotes attributed to Benee:

• “I don’t eat eggs.”

• “You can literally do anything in a video … you can write a song about anything.”

• “I’m not a naturally funny person … I also can’t dance, so I feel like I’m lacking the key things that you need to make a good TikTok video.”

• “I started posting a few covers on SoundCloud in 2017, and that got me into contact with my producer who I still work with, Josh Fountain.”

Her interviews often emphasize humility, surprise at her success, and a relaxed attitude toward fame.

Lessons & Takeaways

1. Authenticity resonates. Benee’s willingness to show flaws, vulnerabilities, and quirks has helped her connect with listeners.

2. Platform + timing matter. Her rise was accelerated by TikTok and streaming trends, but her songwriting and production made it stick.

3. Be flexible and experimental. She uses the medium (videos, visuals, production) to expand the song’s meaning and mood.

4. Perseverance through detours. She made a brief stop at university, played sports, and then returned to music, showing that paths don’t have to be linear.

5. Collaboration is crucial. Her ongoing work with producer Josh Fountain and partnerships with other artists have shaped her sonic identity.