• Faith: 
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  September 25, 1992

Born Jaten Collin Dimsdale, the man who became Teddy Swims grew up in Conyers, Georgia. He recalls fond memories of his father playing him songs of soul music icons, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Al Green.

With those soulful Motown classics in his head, Teddy tried finding himself in football. By 2011, he played in several bands from high school, covering genres from ‘80s glam metal, funk, modern metalcore, and soul to alternative country. Two of his bands, Wildheart (alternative rock) and Elefvnts (progressive rock/R&B), developed local prestige in Atlanta.

However, it was a friend’s request to rap at a show in 2019 that would change his life, and his name. The beats were metalcore, which caught the eye and ear of Tyler Carter, who made a name for himself in that genre. When asked to open for Carter’s group, Jaten was told he needed a stage name. He adopted “Teddy” from a childhood nickname. “Swims” is inspired by a meme with the acronym “Someone Who Isn’t Me Sometimes.”

Cover performances made the new Teddy Swims famous, as he would put his best tracks on YouTube. He would cover a range from Michael Jackson to Chris Stapleton, but it was the power of Taylor Swift that got him discovered.

Swims’ cover of Shania Twain's "You're Still the One", posted in October 2019, became his most viewed video, with 167 million views as of January 2024. His videos accumulated millions of views quickly, leading to his signing with Warner Records independently in July 2020.

Today, Teddy Swims’ raspy vocals and dynamic range have made him a favorite among several genres. His breakthrough came in 2023 with the single "Lose Control," which topped the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album, I've Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1), also achieved major chart success.

Teddy Swims’ Religious Beliefs

Teddy’s maternal grandmother was a Pentecostal minister, which reveals most of his religious journey. She played a significant role in his life, a fact he still talks about today.

Swims isn’t vocal about his faith or a relationship with Jesus, but he does remember asking God for help when he was listening to the Rev. Al Green with his father as a child.

“I guess I always wanted that. I remember hearing Keith Sweat, Al Green, or Boyz II Men for the first time and just thinking, “God, I want to be that too!” he said to a music magazine. “I mean, I’ve never heard music like Al Green’s before. The moment I heard his voice, I was convinced that I would never forget it. And I still haven’t to this day — it changed me forever.”