Adele has stated that her biggest musical influence is Etta James.[167] She has also stated that growing up, she listened to the Spice Girls,[168] Sinéad O'Connor,[169] The Cure,[170] Dusty Springfield,[171] Celine Dion,[172] Annie Lennox,[173] Amy Winehouse, whom she credits for inspiring her to pick up the guitar,[34] and Pink.[174][175] She also claims that her mother, who is very close to her, exposed her to the music of Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige, and Alicia Keys, all of whom inspired her as well.[169] One of Adele's earliest influences was British soul artist Gabrielle, who Adele has admired since the age of five, performing as the Hackney born star with an eye-patch in a school talent contest.[176]