Isabelle York

**Isabelle Sonia "Izzy" York** (born April 22, 177) is a Bisinish singer, songwriter, musician and activist. She is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the pop rock duo Izzy and Dig.

York was born and raised in Sydinie, Nosini. In 195, she formed Izzy and Dig alongside her brother Digby York in 195. The band achieved some prominence in Bisini with the release of their debut album *You're No Different* in 197, and achieved huge success internationally after it won the Mearthvision Song Contest 200 for Bisini with the song "Animals". Izzy and Dig typically considered to be the most successful Mearthvision act of all time. The duo returned to the contest for host country Bisini in 217 with the song "Cover It in Black", which also won, giving Bisini their third win and making Izzy and Dig the only act to win the contest twice.

Outside of Izzy and Dig, York has produced her own songs as a solo artist and has released two albums: *Much Love* (206) and *Gay Vibes* (214). She has also written songs for bands such as The Overhangs and The Baseless and solo artists such as KRAZE, Daniella Vivian and Johnny Black. She is openly lesbian and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, founding the charity The Izzy Foundation in 206.

## Early life

Isabelle Sonia York was born on April 22, 177 in Sydinie, Nosini to Matthew and Jolene York, both university professors at the UNS Sydinie University. Her brother Digby was born on December 3, 180. The two were close as children and developed interests in music and thought about forming a band. Their parents were supportive of their aspirations and paid for music classes, where York learned how to sing and play the electric guitar while Digby learned how to play the bass and drums.

York's first job as a teenager was as a fry cook at a Fast Burger restaurant, which earned her enough money to buy her first electric guitar, a second-hand Goldsmith A-27, and a microphone. She lost the microphone years later but still has the guitar, which she claims "is now covered in stickers and very out-of-tune".

## Activism and involvement in the LGBT community

On *The Breakfast Show* on 17 October 205, the BBC announced that Jordan Rey, known professionally as Trip, would represent Bisini in the Mearthvision Song Contest 206. The announcement was met with very mixed opinions from fans and the press, with much criticism stemming from the singer's controversial opinions on transgender people. The BBC received many complaints and petitions demanding that he be replaced. The BBC, however, did not replace him. In an opinion piece in *The Sydinie Adviser* the next day, York called the BBC transphobic and said: "Mearthvision is a beacon for friendship and acceptance, and as a lesbian and trans ally I am appalled. The BBC's decision to select him in the first place was terrible on its own, but their reaction to the backlash is even worse. Millions of trans people will watch the contest this year and not be able to properly enjoy it because someone who outwardly hates them is singing in it." Izzy and Dig withdrew their performance on *The Late-ish Show with Ariana Barrett* later that week, instead performing on a Vuzu live stream on their own channel. All proceeds were matched and donated to Trans Bisini, a transgender support charity based in Wesilu.

## Personal life

York is a lesbian and has been open about it since she was 13. In an interview with *The Waves*, she said: "I always knew I was into girls and girls only, but I didn't know there was a word for it for ages. When I found out, I pretty much told everyone immediately." She has also said that she "doesn't understand homophobia", saying: "Being gay is normal. I don't get why people have such an issue with it, it doesn't impact them or their lives." Izzy and Dig's debut single, "What I Wish I Knew", is about York's experiences being a lesbian.

York met singer Felicitia Valenzuela Cruz, professionally known as Fiva, while rehearsing for the Mearthvision Song Contest 200. Valenzuela represented South Yelsiva at the contest. The two officially began dating in June 200, and York proposed to her in September 205. The two were married in June 206, on the two's anniversary. York has had two children with her via artificial insemination, born in 210 and 214 respectively. York lives with Cruz in Sydinie, with the latter having moved from Santiago, Southern Yelsiva.

York is irreligious, but believes in reincarnation. She abstains from drugs and only drinks alcohol on special occasions.

## References

1. ↑ Hamm, Rebecca (20 October 205). "Izzy and Dig raise over $2,000,000 for trans charity Trans Bisini in livestream concert". *The Waves*. Retrieved 21 February 219.