With her latest single “France”, viral pop sensation Celina Sharma is ready to show us her bold new sound.
Blending vibrant clubby beats with a carefree message of living your best life, “France” is a dynamic addition to Sharma’s repertoire, marking her triumphant return after the breakout success of her 2021 EP, CECE. Rapidly expanding her online audience with each new release, Sharma’s unique style is clearly resonating, making her the fastest-growing UK artist on TikTok, with 2.4 million followers and 38 million likes. Further armed with an additional 550k Instagram followers, Celina Sharma is one of the hottest rising stars in pop, poised for a global takeover.
We caught up with Celina Sharma to discuss the creative process behind her catchy new track “France,” the influence of her multicultural background on her music, and her thoughts on the future of the industry. Read on for more.
SheBOPS: Hey Celina and welcome to SheBOPS! What inspired you to write ‘France’, and how does it reflect your current outlook on life?
Celina Sharma: I went to the studio with my luggage as I was leaving to go to Paris the following day and we were thinking about what we can write about. We thought it could be interesting to write something about France as I was going there with my girls. My producer Ellis started working on this really cool beat and then it just started flowing from there. This is a fun song that I can definitely relate to, especially if you are travelling with your friends and ready for a good night out.
The music video for ‘France’ looks incredibly fun. Can you share any memorable moments from filming on the streets of Paris?
Shooting in one of my favourite cities in the world was a memorable experience for me. The music video also pushed me out of my comfort zone as I had to adapt to shooting in a public place with lots of people watching. It was a two day shoot with lots of choreography involved, which was fun but a lot of work which definitely paid off in the end, as I was super happy with the music video.
How did you come to collaborate with Nizar Shad for the ‘France’ music video, and what was it like working together?
Nizar and I have worked together a lot on past projects so it was a comfortable and fun experience. He makes it easy for me to work the camera as he guides me through each shot with an amazing team behind him.
‘France’ showcases a more high-energy, carefree side to your music. What prompted this shift in your sound?
At the time, a lot of the music I had been listening to inspired me to create something exciting with my music. I feel like, as I’m young, I’m still discovering what my sound is but I enjoy this direction I’m taking.
You have a diverse heritage with Australian, Indian, Italian and Maltese roots. How does this multicultural background influence your music?
I feel like my heritage has shaped me as a person and I try to take influences from my background and incorporate it into my music. My Indian side has been shown in past songs through lyrics and production. I’m proud of both sides of my heritage and can’t wait to showcase more of who I am in the years to come.
How do you think the music industry has evolved in terms of its representation of female artists since you started your career?
I feel it’s been huge since I was born, but now even bigger. It’s amazing to see how many more female artists and producers there are in the industry. It’s empowering to be surrounded by like-minded and supportive women.
How do you think the music industry can become more inclusive for women?
I feel it could be more inclusive for female producers and DJs. You don’t see as many women in those departments of the music industry being supported, which is sad as I’ve worked with such talented and amazing women who should be given equal support.
What message would you like to send to young girls who aspire to pursue a career in music?
My message to the younger girls who want to pursue a career in music is keep working hard and don’t let any failures push you down; if anything, you should use it to work even harder towards your goal. Greatness doesn’t happen overnight. I’ve been singing since I was a kid and only was able to release my first song at 16 when I was recognised. I have come a long way since then but still have a long way to go.
Lastly, what can you share with us about your upcoming releases for 2024?
I’m planning a few more releases this year that I’ve been impatiently waiting to show everyone, as it’s something different and a new area I’m exploring with my music.
“France” by Celina Sharma is out now.