Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Izellah

Izellah is a talented up-and-coming artist from Down Under making her presence known on an international stage. She grew up doing musical theater, but she’s making the transition over to music. She just released her new single, “Treat You,” and we caught up with this rising pop star to learn more about the song.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Izellah: Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved to sing. I composed and sang my first song when I was two and a half years old. I made up the lyrics on the spot.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Izellah: Getting into professional musicals for sure. My first was The King and I at age seven, then The Sound of Music, with the highlight being Matilda in the Australasian tour of Matilda: The Musical. I did 84 shows.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Treat You.” What inspired the track and the music video?
Izellah: It’s based on a real-life situation where someone became very unpleasant towards me, but I continued to treat them as normal—something I hope I will always do. The wonderful thing about this song is, it’s just me and a piano, and the music video highlights this beautifully—very simply done.

PC: What has the transition been like going from the theater world to music? Has anything surprised you about that journey?
Izellah: The change is huge. Musical theater is all about teamwork. With pop, you’re the sole focus of attention, which I found very uncomfortable at first. But I did some busking, which helped me to relax and start connecting with an audience.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead to the end of 2019 into 2020?
Izellah: Right now, I’m in Indonesia, where I’ve just recorded a song written by one of that country’s superstars. The song’s in the Indonesian language, which was a challenge but a good way to learn about the culture, which is great because my mum is Indonesian. The song will be released in January. Also, in early 2020, I will release a song I cowrote with Larz Principato, who writes for Dua Lipa.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Izellah: Lea Salonga singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables.

PC: First concert you attended?
Izellah: Justin Bieber in Brisbane

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Izellah: On Broadway

PC: A must-have on the road?
Izellah: My teddy bear

To keep up with Izellah, follow her on Instagram. Pick up or stream “Treat You” on Amazon Music, iTunes, on Spotify.