Written by Connie Etemadi
The music world might promise fame and fortune, but for Ellara, success means something else entirely: staying true to her story, her sound, and her self-worth. At just 19, the Melbourne-based artist is not only pouring her heart into every lyric, she’s also keeping her eyes wide open. “I’ve grown up seeing how the industry can build up artists, but I have also seen what it can do to bring them down,” she says.
That self-awareness isn’t theoretical. Ellara references high-profile stories – from the Cassie and Diddy case to Taylor Swift’s decision to re-record her old albums and take back control of her music. “What scares me is how easy it is to be taken advantage of,” she explains. “Even things like a label owning your song. Imagine putting your soul into a track, and then not even having the rights to it.”
It’s that fear that fuels her independence. With the guidance of vocal coach and producer Emanuele Mamo, Ellara released her debut single “Love Me Again” in January 2025, an emotionally raw track born from a personal heartbreak when Ellara was in her final year at high school. The track showcased her songwriting, and also a turning point in owning her creative direction.
“I want to own my story,” she says. “Not just lyrically, but legally.” She’s focused on ownership, authenticity, and protecting the voice she’s spent years shaping.
Most artists learn the hard way, after contracts are signed and control is already lost. But Ellara isn’t waiting to be taught that lesson. She’s claiming her power from the start. By speaking up about creative rights, ownership, and emotional boundaries early in her career, she’s setting a new standard with honesty, integrity, and unapologetic self-worth.
For Ellara, staying grounded and intentional is key. She only writes from lived experience. Her songs often begin in the shower or as voice notes on her phone, later finding form through journaling and quiet introspection. That realness has helped her build a global fanbase, in the U.S., Brazil, Australia, and beyond.
Her goals, however, remain rooted in something deeper than fame. “I’m not just here to perform,” she says. “I want to connect. And I want people to know that it’s possible to do that without compromising who you are.”
Though still early in her career, Ellara is already thinking long-term. She dreams of performing on global stages in London, LA, and New York, while continuing to release music that’s true to her voice. But even as her plans grow bigger, her values stay the same.
“Being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak,” she says. “And being a woman in music doesn’t mean you have to give up your power to succeed. I want to be part of a new generation of artists who know their worth, own their art, and protect their peace.”
For Ellara, music isn’t just a path to fame. It’s a path to freedom, and she’s determined to walk it on her own terms.
Her next single, “Never Felt Like This,” is set to be released later this year. It shifts away from the heartbreak of her debut and focuses on the excitement and butterflies of falling in love again, showing a different, more romantic side of her music.
