:Helly Luv

{{Infobox person

| name = Helly Luv

| image = HellyLuv GoldenDress.jpg

| caption =

| alt = A Kurdish woman smiling

| birth_name = Helen Abdulla

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|11|16}}

| birth_place = Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran

| citizenship = Finnish

| nationality = Kurdish

| occupation = {{Flat list|

Recording artist
actress

}}

| years_active = 2009–present

| website = {{URL|www.hellyluv.com}}

| module = {{Infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| instrument = Vocals

| genre = {{Flat list|

R&B
Pop
World
Dance}}

| label = {{Flat list|

G2 Music Group

}}

Helen Abdulla (Kurdish: هێلین عەبدوڵڵا; born 16 November 1988), better known by her stage name Helly Luv (ھێڵی لۆڤ),{{cite news|last1=Crowcroft|first1=Orlando|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/20/helly-luv-kurdish-singer-music-video-threats|title=Kurdish singer Helly Luv dismisses threats over music video|accessdate=August 12, 2014|work=The Guardian|date=February 20, 2014}} is a Kurdish{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/interview-pop-singer-helly-luv|title=Interview: Pop singer HELLY LUV}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, model, She rose to fame after uploading cover videos on social media websites like Myspace and YouTube. Helly Luv has since starred in movies, music videos and has released her own material. Gaining popularity from her 2013 single "Risk It All", Helly Luv has recently signed to G2 Music Group.{{cite news|last1=Elkrief|first1=Raphaëlle|title=HELLY LUV : LA SHAKIRA KURDE PART EN GUERRE|url=http://www.grazia.fr/societe/phenomenes/articles/helly-luv-la-shakira-kurde-part-en-guerre-672274|accessdate=August 13, 2014|work=Grazia|date=August 12, 2014}}{{cite news |first=David|last= Sheppard|title=Kurdish singer Helly Luv ready to 'Risk it All' for independence|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-crisis-kurdishpop/kurdish-singer-helly-luv-ready-to-risk-it-all-for-independence-idUKKBN0FK0NN20140715|accessdate=October 30, 2023|work=Reuters|date=July 15, 2014}} In 2014, she appeared in her first theatrical feature film, Mardan.{{cite web|title=Mardan|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3973590/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_1|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=September 3, 2014}}

Personal life

Helly Luv was born to a Kurdish family during the Persian Gulf War in the city of Urmia, Iran on November 16, 1988. Her family escaped the city of Dohuk in Iraqi Kurdistan by fleeing to Iran, where she was born, and suddenly to Turkey for safety. Eventually Helly Luv and her family's application was approved to become citizens of Finland, allowing her and her family to be one of the first Kurdish immigrants to live there.{{cite encyclopedia|editor1-last=Ember |editor1-first=Melvin |editor1-link=Melvin Ember |editor2-last=Ember |editor2-first=Carol R. |editor2-link=Carol R. Ember |editor3-last=Skoggard|editor3-first=Ian|title=Encyclopedia of diasporas : immigrant and refugee cultures around the world|date=2004|publisher=Kluwer Academic Publishers|location=Dordrecht, Netherlands|isbn=0-306-48321-1|edition=[Online-Ausg.].}} She took an interest in singing in a neighborhood choir and then expanded her interest by playing the piano, and taking drama classes. She began performing in school demonstrating her singing and dancing abilities. Dancing became her primary focus and afforded her an opportunity to compete in European dance championships and soon signed a contract with Finland's Nike Women.

Career

In 2006, Helly Luv moved to Los Angeles, California, United States on her own to pursue her dream. Just before she started making arrangements to return to Finland, Helly Luv received a Myspace message from Grammy winning record producer Los Da Mystro to sign an artist deal with his production company. During this deal she had the opportunity to work with Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter The-Dream. In winter 2013, Helly Luv signed a music deal with Gawain "G2" Bracy II and G2 Music Group. G2 Music Group released "Risk It All," the lively and inspirational leadoff single from Helly Luv's debut album. Produced almost entirely by Gawain "G2" Bracy II, the song synthesized Latin and Middle Eastern rhythms with world-pop songwriting. "Risk It All" received attention almost immediately in Finland, peaking all the way to the top three iTunes singles the first week and competing with Rihanna's "Diamonds" single.{{cite news|last1=Koskinen|first1=Matti|title=Poptähdeksi noussut Helen Abdulla odottaa Kurdistanin itsenäisyyttä|url=http://www.hs.fi/paivanlehti/23072014/ulkomaat/Popt%C3%A4hdeksi+noussut+Helen+Abdulla+odottaa+Kurdistanin+itsen%C3%A4isyytt%C3%A4/a1406004198016|accessdate=August 28, 2014|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=August 17, 2014}}

File:Helly Luv Queen Elizabeth II Performance.jpg

In 2014, Helly Luv starred in the international film Mardan{{cite web|title=Mardan|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6793956/?ref_=tt_ov_st|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=July 2, 2015}} directed by Batin Ghobadi and Bahman Ghobadi where she played the leading role of Leila.{{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Deborah|title='Mardan': Toronto Review|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/mardan-toronto-review-732967|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 15, 2014|accessdate=July 2, 2015}} Later that year she attended the Toronto International Film Festival becoming the first Kurdish actress to attend the event.{{cite web|last1=Bloom|first1=Livia|title=Risking It All: Helly Luv, Kurdistan's Pop Star and Mardan Actress|url=http://filmmakermagazine.com/87619-helly/#.VZT_MxNViko|website=Filmmaker Magazine|date=September 22, 2014|accessdate=July 2, 2015}}

In 2015, Helly Luv shot the video for her single "Revolution" in an abandoned village near Mosul, where the Kurdish forces were fighting the ISIL. In the video of the single, she is seen painting the word "Revolution" on a tank shell in red lipstick and then Attack on the ISIL front lines just a few kilometers away.{{cite news|last1=Crowcroft|first1=Orlando|url= http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/iraq-kurdish-star-helen-abdulla-shells-isis-forces-glossy-music-video-1502496|title= Iraq: Kurdish star Helen Abdulla shells Isis forces in her glossy music video|accessdate=May 22, 2015|work=IBTimesUK|date=May 22, 2015}}

Other ventures

= Philanthropy =

File:Helly Luv Visits Peshmerga troops2.jpg pop star Helly Luv poses in front of Kurdish Peshmerga troops at a base in Dohuk on July 5, 2014]]

In 2014, she created her Luv House non-profit organization to help the people and animals in need throughout Kurdistan. On January 22, 2014 Helly Luv, A.R.K (Animal Rights Kurdistan), W.I.N.E (Women's International Network Erbil), Dr. Sulaiman Tameer, KOARP (Kurdistan Organization for Animal Rights Protection), Miss Kurdistan Fenik, and the owner of the Zoo helped close the doors to the Gelkand Park in Kurdistan (the second worst zoo in the world).{{cite news|last1=Shelton|first1=Tracey|title=Iraq: Dante's hell for animals?|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/iraq/100506/animal-cruelty-trade-erbil-zoo-iraq?page=0,1|accessdate=August 5, 2014|work=Global Post|date=May 22, 2010}} Helly Luv and the other organizations moved the animals to a new and improved zoo in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region.{{cite news|last1=Saleh|first1=Hemin|title=New Zoo to open in Erbil|url=http://basnews.com/en/News/Details/New-Zoo-to-open-in-Erbil/12522|accessdate=August 5, 2014|work=Basnews|date=February 10, 2014}}

On July 6, 2014, Helly Luv visited the peshmerga headquarters in the city of Duhok, Iraq near the border of Mosul, Iraq during the defense against ISIL; with a mission to deliver food and water to the peshmerga troops.{{cite news|last1=Sheppard|first1=David|title=Kurdish singer Helly Luv ready to 'Risk it All' for independence|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-crisis-kurdishpop-idUSKBN0FK0NN20140715|accessdate=August 5, 2014|work=Reuters|date=July 16, 2014}}

Singles

"Risk It All" (2013){{cite web|title=Risk It All by Helly Luv|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/risk-it-all/id592199207?i=592199632&uo=4|publisher=iTunes Store|accessdate=February 9, 2015}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
"Revolution" (2015){{cite web|title=Revolution|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/revolution/997453142?i=997454322&uo=4|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=May 25, 2015}}
"Bad Kitty (Down on the Floor)" (2012){{cite web |title=HellyLuv – Down on the Floor |url=https://mover.uz/watch/jeHMIg1 |website=Mover.uz}}
"GUNS & ROSES" (2018) with Ardian Bujupi{{cite web |title=Helly Luv & Ardian Bujupi – GUNS & ROSES (prod. by Kostas K.)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt7kMH3Gzak| via=YouTube}}
”Boy-bye” (2019)
"Min Tu Navey" (2020)
"Mshtaglk" (2021) as featured artist
”Kurdish Barbie” (2022)
”Go Go Ale Ale (World Cup Song)” (2022)
”Yalla Habibi ” (2023)

Filmography

Mardan (2014){{cite web|title=Mardan|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3973590/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=July 2, 2015}}
Flag Without A Country (2015){{cite web|title=Flag Without A Country|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5072370/?ref_=nm_knf_i2|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=July 13, 2017}}