Elyanna Makes Her Television Debut On The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
The Ana Lahale hitmaker proudly displayed her Palestinian heritage
Last night, Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna made her ground-breaking television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The 22-year-old songstress, whose full name is Elian Marjieh, captivated the audience with a medley of hits from a debut album, Woledto, including Callin’ U (Tamally Maak), and Mama Eh, which is the first song to ever be performed entirely in Arabic on the show.
The former Harper’s Bazaar Qatar cover star took the stage in all-white lace ensemble, and while transitioning into her second song, donned a co-ordinating keffiyeh headscarf – a garment that’s become symbolic for standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
In a recent interview, Elyanna revealed that Woledto, which was released last month, showcases a blend of her cultural background and is inspired by the influences that have shaped her journey.
The Ana Lahale hitmaker was born and raised in her hometown of Nazareth, and frequently took family trips to Viña del Mar in Chile.
Last year, Elyanna made history by becoming the first artist to perform a full set entirely in Arabic at Coachella. Her appearance at the iconic music festival marked her global debut, while she performed live renditions from her two self-titled EPs, as well as an Arabic version of the classic La Vie En Rose.
“I’m inspired by my Palestinian-Chilean background as well as the American culture that I got to discover growing up in Los Angeles,” she said in her cover story for Bazaar Qatar.
“This blend of cultures broadened my horizons. I was inspired by a lot of genres, jazz in particular. That was all I would sing as a young girl. So I believe who I am today is a result of the music I sang and listened to in my childhood. When I moved to the US, I just connected with Arabic music and my culture so much, it gave me another perspective on the type of music I want to create. Both Western and Eastern music are inherent to me and they just come naturally,” she shared.
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Lead image credit: @elyanna/Instagram.com
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Qatar Special, Summer 2023 issue
Photography By Raffo Marone. Styling By Laura Jane Brown. Hair: Deena Alawaid. Make-Up: Manuel Losada. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Stylist’s Assistant: Sara Hussain.