Last year, Shekhinah was the most streamed female artist on Spotify in South Africa, and she scooped a triple whammy with Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Best Newcomer of the Year at the SAMAs. Following her debut album Rose Gold, which went platinum late last year, she has new music in the works, and her first tour is scheduled for August this year. COSMO editor Holly Meadows sat down with the Suited singer to talk about being adopted, opening for Ed Sheeran, and her journey from Idols to superstardom.
Shekhinah: It’s a Hebrew name and it means the ‘feminine face of God’. My mom is a theologist and a priest, and we grew up in the church, so ya, it’s a biblical name. I love it.
H: How did your multicultural upbringing influence your music?
S: I was born in Durban and was adopted by the Donnell family two weeks after I was born. Then we moved to Pietermaritzburg. I have four siblings [her sister, sister-in-law and father are part of her management team]. Growing up was really cool as I have a very diverse family. My parents are white, but they had many friends from different cultures. My mom and dad split when I was in Grade 5. My mom got married to a woman in America, and my dad married a Hindu woman. So multiculturalism influences my music – there are different races and sexual identities everywhere I go.
I love Pink, Madonna, Diana Ross… I’m influenced by everyone.
H: What is your earliest memory of singing?
S: My mom worked in a church, and when I was five I wanted to sing in the choir. My mom explained to me that it was for big people and I didn’t understand what that meant – I was very annoyed because I felt like I could sing! That was my earliest memory of music as well, as I remember my mom singing Can’t Take My Eyes Off You to me. I’ve always been in love with music.
H: Tell me about the transition from Idols contestant to music artist.
Bu hikaye Cosmopolitan - South Africa dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Cosmopolitan - South Africa dergisinin May 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Marc Buckner
The Bachelor SA Season 2’s star is here to make you swoon. Find out why boss babes are ready to risk it all for this adventurous dog lover.
I Tested Positive For The Alzheimer's Gene At 26 Years Old
A DNA testing kit is like a crystal ball, but what if you don’t like what you see?
Basically No-One Has A 28-Day Menstrual Cycle
Brought to you by: the idea of a ‘normal’ period is a lie
For Those Times When You're Like, ‘I Love You, But You're Annoying...'
Coupledom can be hard!
How To Get Sh*t Done
Calling all procrastinators: sometimes getting started on a new project or goal can be the hardest part. Here’s how to stop putting it off and actually press go
Is Rage Bait Okay?
It has become the new engagement strategy for many brands. Companies bait their followers into engaging with their content around topics that cause outrage. But is this okay? Social -media strategists Talya Goldberg and Jabulile Dlamini -Qwesha share their views.
Is Cardio A Scam? And 7 Other Not-stupid Questions About Fitness Things
Thanks for calling 0800 -WTF- Is -This
Hold The Phone
Zozibini Tunzi is here to remind you all to Take. Up. Space. She’s rewriting the pageantry rulebook, and she wants you to join in (in a bath, wearing sparkly boots, because that’s just how we roll).
How To Tell It Like It Is *And Finally Get A Promotion*
Receiving constructive criticism on your work can be terrifying. But do it right and it can be a career game-changer.
What Makes A Compulsive Liar?
We all do it. Tell those lit t le white lies to ourselves, and others. But what about those for whom lying is a way of life? Catriona Harvey-Jenner investigates the rise of a new kind of scammer.