Amir Zehi Goes Viral: The Opera Voice Behind Celeb Reels

L'Officiel Arabia: How would you define your artistry in today’s music landscape?
Amir Zehi: I’m a vocalist who bridges classical emotion with contemporary resonance. My artistry is rooted in Italian opera, but I’ve always believed that its soul  (its drama, its vulnerability) belongs in today’s world too. I sing not just to perform, but to translate feeling into sound.

Cannes is synonymous with cinema, yet this year your voice was everywhere in celebrities’ reels. How did that feel?
Surreal. I wasn’t on the red carpet, but my voice was. Seeing my music woven into the visual language of Cannes - luxury, storytelling, elegance, was deeply affirming. It felt like opera had found a new stage.

Was there a single reel or celebrity moment when you realised, “This is going viral”?
Yes! It wa when I saw a reel of a major actress stepping out of her hotel in slow motion, draped in couture, with my aria swelling in the background. The comments weren’t just about her look, they were asking, “Who’s singing?” That’s when I knew something had shifted.

You weren’t physically in Cannes, yet your name trended during the festival. What was it like to experience that spotlight from afar?
It was like watching a wave rise from the shore. I was in my studio, working on a new piece, and suddenly my phone was lighting up with messages from Paris, Milan, LA. It was humbling, and energizing.

Opera rarely drives social media trends, especially in fashion and film. Why do you think your piece resonated there?
Opera carries grandeur and intimacy in equal measure. In a world saturated with fast visuals, it offers emotional depth. I think people were craving that contrast – something timeless to anchor the fleeting.

You have a deep love for Italian opera. What draws you so powerfully to its emotional language?
Italian opera is unapologetically emotional. It doesn’t hide behind subtlety – it embraces heartbreak, longing and ecstasy. That vulnerability is what I connect with most. It’s human, raw, and beautifully imperfect.

Do you see yourself as part of a movement bringing Italian opera into modern spaces - runways, reels or cinema?
Absolutely! I think we’re witnessing a renaissance – not of opera itself, but of how it’s presented. My goal is to make it feel alive again, not just preserved. If a reel or runway can carry Puccini, then the tradition is evolving.

Style and presentation are central to your public image. Is your personal aesthetic an extension of your music?
Yes, my look is part of the storytelling. Whether it’s a tailored suit or a dramatic silhouette, I want my appearance to echo the emotional tone of my voice. It’s all part of the same performance.

After this Cannes moment, what’s next, more collaborations between your music and the fashion or film world?
Definitely! I’m in talks with a few fashion houses and directors who want to explore sound as narrative. I’m also working on a visual album that blends opera with cinematic storytelling. Cannes was just the overture.