Kiesza

Kiesza, born Kiesa Rae Ellestad on January 16, 1989 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a multifaceted Canadian singer‑songwriter, dancer, and multi-instrumentalist whose rise combined musical talent with unconventional life experience. After training in ballet and serving in the Royal Canadian Navy reserves—where she was nicknamed “Sniper” for excellence in marksmanship—she transitioned to music, developing her craft during studies at Berklee College of Music and early performances in folk, jazz, and pop styles socanmagazine.caIn 2014, Kiesza achieved international fame with her debut single “Hideaway”, a deep‑house track that topped the UK Singles Chart and propelled her debut album Sound of a Woman to global recognition. The one-take video and blend of 1990s dance and modern pop defined her artistic identity. She has since released further albums, explored diverse collaborations, and returned strong after a hiatus caused by a severe brain injury in 2017—marking a powerful comeback with her 2020 album Crave +15+15+15.

Throughout her journey, Kiesza has shared inspiring reflections. She once said: “Beauty has so many forms, and I think the most beautiful thing is confidence and loving yourself.” Another poignant insight: “I definitely wouldn't be the performer I am today if the gay audience had not been so supportive of me as a complete unknown.” And she encourages resilience with: “You might get a ‘no’ a hundred times but you might get ‘yes’ one time. That one ‘yes’ will take you on a new path!” +6+6+6