MIEL DE BOTTON REVEALS VIDEO FOR MON CHER PETIT PAPA
Switzerland born and London based artist, Miel de Botton has revealed a stunning tribute to her father, the late Gilbert de Botton. The new song, Mon Cher Petit Papa, features on her beautiful collection of songs, Loved Ones Volume 1, and the video has premiered today on YouTube – view here.
Mon Cher Petit Papa is a particularly special song and video for Miel de Botton. Miel wrote the song about her love for her father Gilbert de Botton, the esteemed and immensely respected financial pioneer. The influence of her much-missed father and his love of classic chansonniers like Piaf and Aznavour is paid tribute to in the exquisite French-language song.
Her father’s absence is one of the reasons we’re here today – a loss that kickstarted Miel’s desire to express herself after years working in different fields and helping others. Miel added: “There were two particular negative, horrible events in my life – the passing of my dad and my divorce. Those made me feel for a time, obviously, very, very low. But then, gradually, as I emerged, I wanted to feel and give joy. And I felt liberated, in a way, because my father had been a rather strict judge of my life. He was a really big person watching over my shoulder. And when he went, it was absolutely awful, because I adored him but it also gave me the courage to pursue my dreams. I had always missed him. As I say in the song, he was always so busy, a self-made genius who was well known to be so knowledgeable in many fields. I lost him suddenly, tragically just as I was moving back to London from 10 years in Paris and I was looking forward to spending time with him.”
The video, created by Danny and Sam Clifford, was a beautiful, emotional experience for the singer songwriter. Miel commented: “It was a beautiful process to work with Danny Clifford, my photographer, choosing the pictures and film material. He digitalised all of this and then I worked with his son Sam Clifford who made the wonderful video with the material. It was a very healing process, re-experiencing these memories involving the whole family. When I watch it, I am moved to tears, transported back to my childhood, to those trips together, those family times in our Zurich house and garden. I feel and hope the song and video will touch people in the same way, heart to heart!”
Mon Cher Petit Papa features on the first instalment of Loved Ones, a deeply personal set of songs, expressing gratitude to those she loves dearly while also showing us her history, heritage, family and friends. The first of the three EPs is out now, listen here, with the other two following in November 2025 and February 2026.
Unhurried and unabashed about writing and recording a deeply personal set of original songs, Miel leaned into what – and who – meant most to her. French Chanson style, Europop, choral music, Ibizan dancefloor abandon, German-language spoken-word, a lovestruck piano waltz, Miel applies her limitless imagination and soaring voice to them all. On Loved Ones’ shining, luminous songs, her interests and accomplishments roam far and wide. Near, too, in tender songs written about or with her intimate inner circle, including her late father as mentioned previously, beauty therapist (a survivor of domestic abuse), her childhood nanny (a 95 year-old legend) and her philosopher brother Alain (who expressed his creativity with a challenge for Miel to encapsulate his love of Genesis with Latin chanting and a mantra similar to Michael Jackson’s ‘mama-say-mama-sa-mama-coosa’ from ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’).
Miel has previously released Hit Song, a vibrant, disco-infused track bursting with energy and joy. With its infectious rhythm and danceable groove, it invites listeners to lose themselves in the music. The accompanying music video brings that idea to life, featuring some of the loved ones who inspired the songs on Loved Ones and it has already picked up millions of views. Watch the music video here.
Miel has proved time and time again that it is never too late to dream. Having endured some difficult times in her personal life, and searching for fulfilment, the Swiss London-based mother of two, Oxford law graduate and clinical psychologist, took a giant step into the unknown and embarked on a new career following her #1 passion, music. She released her debut album Magnetic in 2015, her second Surrender To The Feeling in 2019, and has been touring worldwide; with standout performances at Camp Bestival and Carfest, sold out concerts in Crazy Coqs, The Pheasantry and Dean St Jazz Club and supports with Simply Red and Wet Wet Wet. Later this year Miel is set to support Simply Red in Paris on 19th November at the Accor Arena.
Alongside music, Miel’s generous spirit and philanthropic work are a big part of her life. She has supported countless peace and community projects as well as the arts and the environment for many years. Her song I Was Given Nature was chosen by the World Wildlife Fund for their ‘Connect To Earth’ campaign, and she regularly supports many charitable causes she hopes will improve the world.
