Nani Wells is ready to introduce the world to her most confident self yet.
The rising singer-songwriter is making a statement with her new single and accompanying music video, “iGirl,” an empowering anthem celebrating individuality, self-expression, and the freedom to become whoever you want to be.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic women who shaped her love for music, Wells channels the confidence and magnetic stage presence of her musical influences into a visual that proves sometimes less really is more.
Rather than relying on elaborate sets, vibrant colors, or heavy editing, the “iGirl” music video embraces a minimalist aesthetic, featuring muted grey tones, striking choreography, and a standout pair of red boots. The result is a performance driven visual that puts Wells and her dancers front and center, allowing their energy, movement, and personalities to command attention.
Having explored everything from R&B to pop since releasing her first music in 2020, Wells sees “iGirl” as a defining moment in her artistic evolution. With a musical background spanning church performances, theater, girl groups, and live bands, the singer is now taking everything she’s learned and channeling it into a sound and image that feel entirely her own.
Celeb Secrets caught up with Nani Wells to discuss the inspiration behind “iGirl,” the legendary performers who influenced its creative direction, her journey toward self-confidence, and the unexpected tool that helped create one of the music video’s biggest hair moments.
Read our exclusive Q&A below, and don’t forget to let us know if you’re loving “iGirl” by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Nani by giving her a follow on Instagram at @naniwells.
Celeb Secrets: Congratulations on the release of “iGirl”! The song and music video are all about confidence, self-expression, and stepping into your power. What inspired you to create this track, and what does being an “iGirl” mean to you personally?
Nani Wells: “This track was inspired by self-love, confidence and moving to the beat of your own drum. In a world filled with groupthink, I wanted to emphasize the importance of individuality. To me, being an iGirl means being the best version of yourself.”
Celeb Secrets: You’ve mentioned being inspired by the captivating women in music videos you watched growing up. Who were some of those artists, and how did they influence the creative direction of “iGirl”?
Nani Wells: “I was inspired by the divas who came before me whether it’s the big voices, the fashion, the glam, the ones who really perform and dance. I’m inspired by artists like Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Celine Dion to name a few. They’re all divas in their own right and I wanted to find my own way to express that.”
Celeb Secrets: The music video takes a more minimalist approach, with muted tones and powerful choreography. What went into developing the visual concept, and why was it important to let the performances speak for themselves?
Nani Wells: “A huge inspiration for this was really Beyonce’s videos. As an independent artist, you have to find ways to be creative while also being resourceful. Some of Beyonce’s biggest videos are in black and white or against a white background but it was the choregraphy and power of performance, paired with the music that really brought the visuals to life and made it a moment. A lot of time went into the handling of the choreography. iGirl sounds singular but it’s really plural because iGirl is representative of all the women who bring that talent to the dance floor and make it their own and put on that performance.”
Celeb Secrets: You’ve shared that “iGirl” represents an idealized version of yourself, even if you don’t always feel like that person in everyday life. How has creating music helped you tap into that confidence, and what advice would you give someone struggling to embrace their own inner “It Girl”?
Nani Wells: “I think that ‘iGirl’ is somewhat of a mantra for myself. I don’t believe confidence is something you’re born with, I think it’s a learnable skill that you have to nurture. I’d like to think of this song as a bridge to feeling confident. To anyone out there struggling to find their inner ‘It Girl,’ I would encourage people to chase things that they’re passionate about and step outside their comfort zone and try new things.”
Celeb Secrets: Since releasing your first music in 2020, you’ve experimented with everything from R&B to pop. How would you describe your evolution as an artist, and where does “iGirl” fit into the musical direction you’re exploring now?
Nani Wells: “Music and singing has always been #1 in my life. I started off singing in church as a child, did theater and off broadways in NYC as a teen, was in a girl group and used to spend my weekends performing with a cover band. Being that I’ve grown up my whole life with music, my evolution as an adult and as an artist coincide. It takes time to discover not only who you are but who you want to be in this world. I think “iGirl” is a pivotal moment in me deciding and showing the world who I am.”
Celeb Secrets: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, we have to ask: Can you spill a behind-the-scenes secret from filming the “iGirl” music video? Whether it’s a funny mishap, an unexpected challenge, or a moment that didn’t make the final cut, what’s something fans would never know just from watching?
Nani Wells: “I really wanted to have a big hair moment in the video so having a fan was important to me. We ended up having 5 different fans on set (which is still taking up the entire trunk of my car). Turns out, a leaf blower actually works best. The crew definitely had fun on set hitting me with a leaf blower. With tears in my eyes, we still got the shot and didn’t knock off my lashes!”
