Dutch singer-songwriter Isabel van Gelder has captivated audiences around the world with her dreamy pop tracks propelled by rich vocals and powerfully relatable lyricism, and 2026 has been a remarkable year for the star.
She’s no stranger to hits, with singles including “Die for You,” My Silly Boy” and “Run” racking up millions of streams each. She also performed at Eurosonic Noorderslag earlier this year and also recently signed with Columbia Records. She released her first single with the label, “I Don’t Want To Fall In Love Again,” on May 8, showcasing her talents as a storyteller—and her ability to consistently tug on our heartstrings. it’s a uniquely raw look at heartbreak and introspection as Isabel learns to come to peace and even strength in being on her own. We had the pleasure of learning more about the song and Isabela’s story so far in her interview with us as our Woman Crush Wednesday below.
(Photo credit: Sony Music)
Name: Isabel van Gelder
Hometown: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Birthday: February 16
Fun Facts:
1. Last month, Isabel released her most recent single, “I Don’t Want To Fall In Love Again.”
Isabel van Gelder: “I Don’t Want to Fall in Love Again” was born out of a past relationship that ended badly—heartbreak, disappointment and a genuine desire to just be done with romance for a while, but the meaning has shifted since I wrote it. I’ve always been a hopeless romantic, I fall in love fast, I feel deeply, and I’ve written more love—and heartbreak songs than I can count. Right now I’m single for the first time in years, and for the first time in years, I genuinely have no desire to be in something romantic. Not out of fear this time, but because I’m genuinely at peace with where I am.
I hope listeners take from it whatever they need. Whether that’s feeling comforted, heard or understood. The title is pretty direct, but the feeling behind it can come from so many different places.
2. She says one boring fact about herself is that she’s not a night person at all.
IvG: I actually really dislike staying up late. Quite a boring fact, literally and figuratively, but in my opinion mornings are extremely underrated.
3. The one word she tends to overuse is “fabulous.”
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4. She doesn’t really have any good luck charms or rituals, though she’s enjoyed bringing her sister to shows recently.
IvG: My sister has been on tour with me this past year. She is my human good luck charm.
5. Most people don’t know this, but Isabel considers herself to be quite forgetful.
IvG: I have pretty bad ADHD and I need to hear dates/names etc. a million times before remembering them. The only thing I’ll memorize after listening once or twice are lyrics. I think I know all the lyrics of every single song I’ve listened to over the last couple of years.
6. She collects notebooks.
IvG: Ever since I was little I’ve had a severe obsession with notebooks. I buy them everywhere I go. They do usually end up getting used though, I suppose my other collection is my journals from the past couple of years. They contain a lot of very valuable information, hehe.
7. If she weren’t a singer-songwriter, she might have become an artist.
IvG: I love painting, so I would’ve loved to go to art school.
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8. If she could only shop from one place, it would have to be Spanish retailer Massimo Dutti.
9. She’s not sure if she’d live in a different decade if she could.
IvG: I’m pretty content with the decade I live in, but if I’d have to pick another one I would probably go for the ’90s (in New York City).
10. Lately, she hasn’t taken Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” off repeat.
11. One thing that’s important to Isabel is to be as open and uncritical as she can.
IvG: I always try to be as honest and non-judgmental as possible. It’s something I feel really strongly about. You never know what someone’s carrying behind closed doors. I have zero patience for people who deliberately make others feel small.
For even more on the artists who inspire us, click HERE to read all about country singer-songwriter Ashley Anne.
