If the United States really is the land of opportunity, then Bekele is seizing every single one. Born in Ukraine, Bekele is a striking beauty of mixed Russian and Ethiopian heritage, playfully know as ‘The Black Russian’. Arriving in Maryland with her mother with nothing more than a suitcase full of clothes, Bekele first encountered a life of hardship at a mere 10 years old. Unable to speak a word of English and forced to live in a homeless shelter, Bekele’s only escape from her surroundings was a CD player equipped with Alanis Morisette’s "Jagged Little Pill" and Whitney Houston’s "The Preacher’s Wife".

"Back then my reality consisted of dangerous and unstable living conditions, bouncing from school to school and being bullied for not knowing how to speak English. Music was the only comfort and excitement in my world. It made me feel like everything was going to be OK. And even though I had no clue as to what Whitney Houston or Alanis Morissette were singing about, I remember crying my little heart out because their voices and melodies moved me deeply." recalls Bekele.

It was this period of great struggle that spawned Bekele’s love for music. Her desire to be an artist and songwriter was born.
With age and experience, she soon realised that to bring her dreams to life, a move to New York City was inevitable. At the tender age of 17, Bekele applied to the highly regarded, Ivy League Columbia University where she was successfully accepted on scholarship...

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