Singer Cat Burns has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the most searched-for female musician on Google in the UK for 2025. This recognition follows a significant year for the 25-year-old artist, during which she released her second album, How To Be Human, and reached the final of the BBC reality series, The Celebrity Traitors.
Burns’ album debuted to critical acclaim, and her captivating presence on the reality show left a lasting impression on viewers. She was ultimately banished in the final alongside fellow contestants and celebrities Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr, with Carr winning the series. Reflecting on her year, Burns expressed her gratitude for the public’s support, stating, “This year has been a whirlwind… it’s been such a massive year for women in music, so ending 2025 as Google’s top trending female musician is the cherry on top.”
Notable Trends in Music Searches
In addition to Burns, the list of the top five most searched-for female musicians included Lily Allen, who secured second place with her first album in seven years, West End Girl. Charlotte Church claimed third place, while Paloma Faith landed in fourth place, having announced her pregnancy in October. Completing the list was Alanis Morissette, the iconic 1990s alternative rock singer.
On the male side, the reunion of Oasis positioned them at the top of Google searches, followed closely by Danny Jones of McFly, who recently won I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!. Sir Rod Stewart and rapper Kendrick Lamar took third and fourth places, respectively, while Lewis Capaldi, returning to the stage after health challenges, rounded out the top five.
Reflections on Popular Culture in 2025
The year also marked notable losses, with Charlie Kirk emerging as the most searched-for death in the UK, followed by Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July. Osbourne’s band, Black Sabbath, reunited for a one-off concert shortly before his death, ranking as the tenth most searched-for male musicians. Footballer Diogo Jota and boxer Ricky Hatton were the third and fourth most searched-for deaths, with actor Gene Hackman completing the top five.
In television, the Netflix drama series Adolescence led search trends, igniting discussions on misogyny and online safety. Co-creator Jack Thorne even participated in a conversation with the Prime Minister on these vital issues in March. Other popular shows included MobLand, Missing You, The Celebrity Traitors, and This City Is Ours.
As for films, the most searched titles were 28 Years Later, Nosferatu, Superman, A Minecraft Movie, and Happy Gilmore 2.
In a broader context, Matt Cooke, a Google Trends expert, commented on the significance of these searches, stating, “Google Search is often a mirror to our collective mood, and in 2025 that reflection was distinctly British.” He noted that the year was defined by a mixture of deep emotions, from the shared grief for Osbourne to the joy surrounding the long-awaited Oasis reunion. “Whether we were championing new icons like Cat Burns or dissecting every twist in The Celebrity Traitors, the trends reveal a country eager to connect, celebrate, and support its own.”
Burns’ achievement as the top trending female musician encapsulates not just her personal success but also a broader narrative of the music industry and cultural engagement in the UK over the past year.
