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Pop star Mimi Webb visits her former school, Kent College in Canterbury

12:20, 13 July 2022

updated: 15:17, 13 July 2022

A budding pop star whose talent was discovered by her piano teacher in Canterbury has paid a visit to her old school.

Mimi Webb – whose debut song was streamed more than 25 million times on Spotify – popped into Kent College as a special guest at its annual Speech Day.

Mimi Webb returned to her old school at Kent College. Picture: Kent College
Mimi Webb returned to her old school at Kent College. Picture: Kent College

The 22-year-old says it's where she was first encouraged to pursue a career in music.

"It was my piano teacher at secondary school," she recalled.

"In my first lesson, he asked me what I could play and I said 'oh, I can play Someone Like You by Adele, and I can sing it, too'.

Pop star Mimi Webb at Kent College, where she was discovered. Picture: Kent College
Pop star Mimi Webb at Kent College, where she was discovered. Picture: Kent College

"He was probably thinking 'hang on, this is a piano lesson', but when I sang, he just was blown away.

"He then called up the guitar teacher, who came and listened too, and they basically got my mum on the school phone and told her 'this is something you need to pursue'. I was so excited!’’

Mimi's debut single, Before I Go, was viewed more than 85 million times on TikTok in 2020, and she has since gone on to have two top 10 hits in the UK charts.

Mimi Webb with pupils at her former school. Picture: Kent College
Mimi Webb with pupils at her former school. Picture: Kent College

She even performed live at the Platinum Party at the Palace to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

She joined Kent College's Speech Day on Friday as a special guest of headmaster Mark Turnbull.

Mimi Webb arriving in style. Picture: Kent College
Mimi Webb arriving in style. Picture: Kent College

The singer told pupils of her determination to write songs despite her struggle with dyslexia.

She also took part in a Q&A session, describing a typical day in the life of a pop star, and what advice she would give her younger self.

Mimi lived in Gravesend and Medway before her family moved to Canterbury.

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