Alt-pop artist Nadia Vaeh has released her latest single, “Monroe,” which debuted on March 27. The pop anthem is an ultimate girl power song resonating with women all around the world; the song pays homage to female icons like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Meryl Streep, Celine Dion, and countless others. Proceeds of the single are being donated to GirlUp, a United Nations Foundation inspiring a generation of girls to be a force for gender equality and social change.

Nadia is a native of Atlanta, born to an American mother and a Lebanese father, who got into music through modeling and joining a local Atlanta circus, where she sang in their productions. Her singing roots stem all the way back to childhood, at the tender age of two, and was guided by her parents who placed her into a traveling youth choir, and from there she created small productions with family and friends, and Nadia’s mother was a big inspiration when writing music. Nadia’s life has seen some tragedy when she unexpectedly lost her mother at the age of 17 to suicide. This experience and event prevented Nadia from the music scene and writing for several years, although she would dabble in karaoke occasionally. Nadia even went down a path of self-sabotage, partying, and looking for love in all the wrong places trying to numb her pain. She began to pursue her artistry shortly after realizing the path she was headed on and has found her way amongst the music scene beautifully. She has written over 100 songs and counting, and her music has been played on international radio. Her songwriting and music has helped not only her heal but others also.

With the momentum Nadia is pursuing, she’s ready to share more of her songs all around the world. Purchase and stream Nadia’s new single “Monroe” here.

Your latest single “Monroe,” is a true pop anthem paying homage to such icons as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Meryl Streep, and many more. Can you share more with us the inspiration and desire behind writing the song?

Nadia Vaeh: So “Monroe” is not only inspired by the women mentioned in the song, but by all women that have impacted my growth. I would not be the artist or person I am today without these inspirations or friendships. I hope this song feels like an anthem to all women and is a reminder to be themselves and that they are enough. I think this song shows the most growth from me as an artist and writer. This song has further helped me connect to my purpose and my skin, more than any other.

Listen to “Monroe”:

Proceeds from the single are being donated to GirlUp, a United Nations Foundation. Why is this organization very important to you?

Nadia: GirlUp is such an amazing organization. They target leadership development for women at the right age, when they are young. Their leadership development programs and their mentorship activities are so inspirational. They take a holistic approach to development, focusing their efforts on issues such as gender equality, gender violence, education, STEM skills for girls, and athletics. They succeed in these areas through advocacy, fundraising, storytelling, and organizing activities. I wish I knew about this organization when I was young and needed them the most. GirlUp has my heart as they have such passion for their efforts. I am in awe of the many success stories coming from those who were involved in GirlUp’s programs. I want to take a portion of “Monroe’s proceeds to support their programs. I also want to encourage everyone to make direct donations to GirlUp as they do such important work to support and develop the women leaders of tomorrow.

You began your singing career through singing in a local Atlanta circus. How did that come about?

Nadia: I went down to the friendliest neighbor’s door at my old apartment complex in Atlanta, years ago when I was in the midst of a move-out and breakup and asked to borrow a cuppa soap for my final wash in that space. He kindly obliged, and in doing so, I noticed circus rigs and stylings all over his large, high-ceilinged space. I remarked on how cool it must be to be an actual circus ringmaster and that I’d always wanted to be in the circus, to which he followed up with an invite to the next practice. I found myself performing with this circus troop and sang in some of their shows. I met one of my dearest songwriting partners through the experience.

Your music roots go all the way back to the age of 2. What are your earliest memories of music?

Nadia: According to my parents, I was emulating vocalists and humming melodies from age two and I would dance my lil’ diaper off. When I was 12, my mom enrolled me into the Atlanta Youth Choir where I learned more about voice and harmonies and song arrangement in the more classical sense.

As soon as I hit my teens though, my hormones were raging, and I needed MORE. I found myself in the arms of the Spice Girls, Britney, Christina, Pink, but then I also fell hard for Jewel, Alanis, and OG Avril. I would sit in my room at night and listen to my boombox and study the CD pamphlets until I knew every nuance and just dream.

How have life events shaped your music, lyrically and musically?

Nadia: I had my world shattered and I stepped away from music for several years. My mother, my best friend, had made a few suicide attempts that summer placing life as my family and I knew it on hold. She finally ended the summer successful in her pursuit to escape her pain. After that experience, it was hard to return to music because it just didn’t feel the same without her. She was my believer and inspiration. My love of words and word-craft developed from writing with her as a kid. She was an amazing poet. I would say she intervenes from the spirit realm in my songwriting sessions more often than not.

You have written well over 100 songs, and I’m sure even more as of this writing. What is your writing process like?

Nadia: I am constantly writing down lyrics that pop into my head. The influence may be a news story, or a conversation with a stranger, or even an event that happens to me. I have written songs by myself but also in collaboration with other talented songwriters. Collaborative efforts are fun and involve give-and-take so that all our visions are realized in songs. Some of the songs can be written in just a few hours but others may take years to realize (i.e. “Monroe”).

How have you been keeping yourself creatively occupied during quarantine?

Nadia: I believe that some of the best music will come out of this time. It will be some of the most honest writing from this generation of artists. I am writing each week and what comes out is always different. Sometimes it’s a sad song you could dance to or a ballad. I have also been writing more for other artists, which has nice to step out of my own struggles. I am interested to look back on this time and to see what evolves.

What are your plans with your music for the remainder of the year?

Nadia: I have a lot more music planned for 2020 such as a few more singles, an EP and more happenings with “Monroe” (The Monroe Project). There are a few songs I am working on directly related to the COVID crisis we all face.

Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?

Nadia:

Spice Girls
Taylor Swift
The Beatles
Lady Gaga
Alanis Morissette

What are you currently listening to, watching, and/or reading?

Nadia: I am currently reading a book titled “The Divided Mind” per recommendation of a friend of mine and next up am reading Ali Wong’s book “Dear Girls.” Depending on my mood it varies from Demi Lovato, Portugal. The Man, Maggie Rogers, Taylor Swift, GASHI, Mo…the list goes on and on. But my go-to when I’m feeling low, I gotta pop on “Bad Girls” by M.I.A or “Yoga” by Janelle Monáe. A lil’ booty shakin’ always makes things better.

Connect with Nadia on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Stream her music on Spotify and SoundCloud.