There’s a difference between being introduced to the world and arriving in it, and right now, Nanette is doing both at the same time. In a defining career moment, the rising R&B singer has been tapped to open for Grammy-winning British artist Ella Mai at her Cape Town show on 26 April 2026, set to take place at the Grand Arena at GrandWest.

It’s a major stage, but more importantly, it’s the right one. Because what makes this moment land isn’t just the scale, it’s the alignment.

Nanette’s artistry has always existed in a space that doesn’t beg for attention; it earns it. Measured, emotionally precise and rooted in intention, her sound moves in quiet confidence, favouring depth over noise and clarity over performance. It’s a sensibility that naturally places her in conversation with Ella Mai, an artist whose global success has been built on restraint, honesty, and the ability to make listeners feel seen without overreaching. This isn’t a reach, it’s recognition.

Placing Nanette alongside Ella Mai signals something deeper than a co-sign; it positions her within a global R&B language that values feeling, control, and authenticity. It affirms that her voice doesn’t need to be reshaped to fit bigger rooms. It already belongs there.

For Nanette, the moment is grounded in both gratitude and intention. “It’s another step in the right direction for me,” she says. “I believe that my career is only ever elevating, and that’s the beautiful thing about doing things at my own pace. Everything works out as it should, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity.” Nanette shares. 

While the upcoming show introduces her to a wider audience, it also presents a subtle shift from intimate listening to live translation. Her music has largely lived in introspective spaces, where emotion unfolds slowly and deliberately. Now, that same intimacy is being carried onto a stage that demands real-time presence. And for Nanette, that responsibility is clear.

“When getting onto any stage, really, the main thing to remember is the duty you have to the audience,” she explains. “No matter the size of the stage I strive to give my all and leave it all on there.” For Nanette, performance is not separate from the music; it is an extension of it. “For those who might not know my music, the stage becomes a great place to welcome them into my world because performance really is what drives me.”