We're always thinking about the song of the summer or a series of songs that we can identify with this time of year when we look back! There's nothing like a series of songs that you can dance too, have great energy and have a number of memories that you can attach to them whether you're solo or with friends and family!

We caught up with Romanian singer/songwriter INNA who is known for this kind of music as well as creating fun videos that are filled with dancing. We wanted to know more about how she came to the entertainment industry, how she goes about creating and collaborating with her music, her latest songs, Dance Queen House and the fact that last year, she croosed over to having over 10 billion views and streams! She tells us all this and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the first song that you remember that made you fall in love with music?

INNA: Hmm, most likely Romanian songs sung by my mother, grandma, grandpa. I was born and raised in a family where music was an important part of our lives. But some of the artists who had a big impact on me when I was a child were Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be an entertainer?

I: From the very first years of my life. I was singing all the time: in the church choir, for my family and friends.

AM: How do you define your style of music?

I: Dance music, energetic, uptempo, about love, friendship, having fun, enjoying life.

AM: When you’re creating new music or a project, how do you get inspired?

I: I find that Inspiration comes from everything around me: my life, my friends lives, my memories, my experiences.

AM: How does your creative process change when you collaborate with other artists?

I: We establish sessions, we start talking about different stuff, we think of a concept, of an idea and we start developing on it.

AM: You have worked with a number of artists from Sofi Tukker, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Alok and more. What do you look for when it comes to those that you want to work with?

I: Sometimes a song brings artists together, sometimes the idea of “let’s collaborate, I love your music and I respect you as an artist.” It goes both ways.

AM: You’ve released a number of albums and have received a number of MTV Europe Music Awards, as well as others throughout your career. Last year, you crossed over to having over 10 billion views and streams! What did this mean to you to cross that benchmark?

I: It was and it still is surreal! It’s out of my imagination. I didn’t dare to dream it might happen to me. I am truly grateful to my fans, to people listening to my music and to my team, of course!

AM: You kicked off 2023 dropping Yummy, tell me about this song!

I: Yummy is a sexy song I teamed up with Stefflon Don and Dhurata Dora and it kind of sounded like a banger. It’s a nice collaboration, I enjoyed the female energy and the fans enjoyed it as well.

AM: Tell us about the Dance Queen House Album as this seems like an interesting concept in terms of how you go about creating albums that are released in this name.

I: Last year marked the third season of Dance Queen’s House, a session that lasted for 16 days while I was isolated in a house with producers and songwriters from Global Records, my record label. We work on new music, we have fun, we shoot the entire experience and at the end of these days, we release vlogs on my YouTube channel and of course, the album.

This is something I started doing in the pandemic, because I wanted to stay in touch with my fans and since I couldn’t tour, these vlogs and new music were the perfect way of staying close to them. After these three seasons, I managed to release 3 albums Heartbreaker from the first season, Champagne Problems in two parts and Just Dance in two parts as well.

AM: What’s it like to create your songs for albums that are part of Dance Queen House?

I: It’s very nice I get to share the entire process with my fans and also do a lot of activities.

AM: You also dropped your 9th studio album, Just Dance which was released in 2 parts, why did you release it this way and what songs are you excited about?

I: We worked on a lot of music in a very short time, just 16 days, songs that needed time to be produced to sound good. And also, there were lots of songs, so I felt we had to share them separately, so that my fans get to enjoy them.

AM: Tell me about your latest release with Gamuel Sori, Party Songs and how did this record come about?

I: My manager played me the song, I liked it and I jumped on it!

AM: Why is this song going to be on summer playlists this year?

I: Party Songs is the perfect party anthem, with summer flavour and amazing energy!

AM: Do you have any routines that you do before you hit the stage and do you have anything that you do after doing a show to relax or to come down from all the energy?

I: Before the show, I rest for a bit, because I’m usually travelling the same day. After that, I enjoy a coffee to get me energised, I start doing my make-up, my hair and I am getting ready for the show. After the show, I usually spend time with my team, we talk about the show and after that, I have to sleep a lot!

AM: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that we should keep an eye out for?

I: It will be a summer full of shows and festivals and I cannot wait! Stay tuned and check out my socials for updates!

AM: We like asking celebs about how they stay fit. As a singer and dancer, what are 3 workouts what do you do to stay in shape?

I: I’m walking 10 000 steps daily (or more when I have more free time).

I go out with my skateboard

I workout at home, with different routines, depending on the mood that day.

Or I go to the gym and I work out with my personal trainer.

AM: We’re always looking for new dishes that we can add for our meals and we hear that you cook for your friends and family and are vegan! What are 3 vegan dishes that you enjoy cooking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

I: Hummus, guacamole for breakfast (although, most of the times, I skip breakfast)

Melanzana (eggplant with tomatoes, basil, tofu and vegan parmigiana) for lunch

Pasta for dinner

AM: In addition to all of the amazing things that you have done musically, you are an advocate and support an array of causes from being a human rights activists, participating in campaigns against domestic violence, supporting children’s rights, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and raising funds for Ukraine. Why is it important to you to use your platform to support these diverse causes and to make your following aware of this?

I: I believe it’s important to use my voice to do good and help people in need, support causes that need awareness. This is something I won’t stop doing for the rest of my life.

AM: What do you want your legacy to be known as?

I: An artist who brings joy in people’s lives through her music, an artist who loves people and who loves to spread good energy.

IG @inna

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 78 - 79 + PG 144 9PLAYLIST INNA