I Blame Coco

Eliot Paulina Sumner (born 30 July 1990) is an English singer, songwriter and actor. They are the child of musician Sting and actress Trudie Styler.

They began their music career at a young age and signed a record deal with Island Records at 17. Sumner released their debut album ''The Constant'' in 2010 under the name I Blame Coco. They have acted in films and TV shows, including '' The Gentlemen'' and '' No Time to Die'', and '' Ripley ''on Netflix in 2024. They were nominated for Best Newcomer at the Virgin Media Music Awards in 2010.

Early life and education

Eliot Paulina Sumner was born on 30 July 1990 in Pisa, Italy to actress Trudie Styler and musician Sting (Gordon Sumner). They grew up in Wiltshire, England, and were educated at Bryanston School and then the Fine Arts College in London.

They grew up at Lake House, the family estate near Stonehenge. Eliot has two brothers (Jake and Giacomo), a sister ( Mickey), an older half-brother ( Joe), and a half-sister (Kate). Their family gave Sumner the nickname "Coco". Drawn to the outdoors, Sumner spent a lot of time alone in the woods. Their family gave Eliot their first guitar at age four or five.

Music career

I Blame Coco

Sumner began writing songs at the age of 15, and signed a multi-record deal with Island Records at age 17.

They spent six months writing and recording a debut album, ''The Constant'' (2010), in Sweden with producer Klas Åhlund, keyboardist Emlyn Maillard, and multi-instrumentalist and producer Al Shux under the band name I Blame Coco. The album included elements of pop music, electronic music, ska, and punk. The first single, " Caesar", featured Swedish pop singer Robyn. The next single, " Self Machine", was released in July 2010.

According to Christian Wåhlberg, Sumner's manager, Åhlund, had been keen to work with Sumner because he saw the "punk rocker" in them. Wåhlberg said that the electropop sound of the album was influenced by Darcus Beese, president of Island Records, and that if Sumner had signed to a different record label, the music would have been different.

After recording and touring with I Blame Coco, they lived alone in a cottage in the Lake District of England and became interested in house music.

Solo career

Sumner sang a cover version of the Radiohead song " Creep" with Clint Mansell for the soundtrack to the movie '' Filth'' (2013).

In 2014, Sumner said their music would be released under their birth name, Eliot Sumner. Later that year, they released the EP ''Information'', and in 2016 the full album ''Information'' appeared. Sumner's contributions to other musicians' albums include vocals for the song "End of the Road" by Sway and the single " Splash" by Sub Focus.

DJ

, Sumner was also working as a DJ in European dance clubs under the moniker "Vaal".

Acting career

Sumner appeared briefly in the films '' Me Without You'' (2001) and '' Stardust'' (2007). They made their adult acting debut in Guy Ritchie's '' The Gentlemen'' in 2020. They appeared in the James Bond film '' No Time to Die'' (2021).

They played a hiker in the thriller '' Infinite Storm'', appearing before Naomi Watts' character began hiking to the summit of Mt. Washington.

In December 2021, Sumner was cast in Showtime's drama series '' Ripley'' in a recurring role. Sumner plays Freddie, a male character. '' Ripley'' was initially announced to be broadcast on Showtime, but in February 2023, it was reported that the series would be moving to Netflix. It was released on 4 April 2024.

Sumner plays the role of hitwoman Kat in the Swedish crime/thriller series ''Vargasommar'' ('' Cry Wolf''). The series airs on the Swedish channel TV4 and premiered 25 December 2024.

Personal life

Sumner fractured their skull in a freak accident in an LA restaurant in 2009, and spent four days in intensive care.

In December 2015, Sumner said that they did not believe in gender labels and did not identify with a particular gender. They use gender-neutral pronouns.

Awards and honours

* I Blame Coco was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Virgin Media Music Awards in 2010.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Other: Remixes

* Eliot Sumner – After Dark (Mr Tophat's Alterned 303 Remix)
* Eliot Sumner – After Dark (Dixon Remix)
* Eliot Sumner – Firewood – Lakker Remix

Music videos

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sumner, Eliot
Living people
Musicians from Pisa
Actors educated at Bryanston School
People educated at Fine Arts College
British indie rock musicians
English electronic musicians
English rock singers
English pop singers
English film actors
English non-binary musicians
English non-binary actors
English LGBTQ singers
Island Records artists
Sting (musician)
Eliot
Non-binary singers
Genderfluid songwriters
21st-century English singers
21st-century English actors
21st-century English LGBTQ people
1990 births
Actors from Pisa
Genderfluid actors