Leila Forouhar

Leila Forouhar (, Leilâ Foruhar; born 23 February 1959) is an Iranian singer and former actress.

Born in Isfahan as the daughter to actor Jahangir Forouhar, she initially pursued a career as an actress and, seven years after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, migrated first from Turkey to Los Angeles in 1986, and then settled in Los Angeles, United States, from 1988.

Forouhar is the daughter of two Iranian actors, Jahangir Forouhar and Farangis Farahzadi. She began acting in films at the age of five and entered the music industry at 14. Before the revolution, she appeared in over 45 Iranian films, and after migrating to the United States, she released more than 20 albums. In 2010, Forouhar performed at a Nowruz celebration at the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.

Early life Leila Forouhar was born on 23 February 1959 in Isfahan, Iran, into an artistic family with actor parents, Jahangir Forouhar and Farangis Farahzadi. She began performing on stage at the age of three, acting in various theatrical productions at the Sepahan Theater in Isfahan alongside her parents and the renowned theater artist Arham Sadr. Also, collaborating with Zana Lajani, an active and influential artist in the theater field, provided another opportunity for the growth and flourishing of her artistic talents and played an important role in expanding her stage and professional experiences.

Artistic career Forouhar started her artistic career as a child, appearing in films such as Morad and Laleh and Khorus Jangi. At nine, she acted alongside Mohammad Ali Fardin in the film Soltan-e Ghalbha. Due to the ban on women’s singing and other challenges, she left Iran in 1986, initially traveling to Turkey. From there, she went to Germany and, after four days, moved to France, where she reunited with her mother, sister, and brother after a year of separation.

In 1988, she migrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, where she continued performing in concerts and producing new albums. She also acted in several television plays, the most notable being Shahr-e Farang alongside Parviz Kardan, Shahram Shabpareh, and Fariba Forouhar, as well as Matab and Kalantari, featuring Shohreh Aghdashloo and Houshang Touzie.

In 1999, Forouhar performed in the play One Samad and Two Leilas with Iranian artist Parviz Sayyad and Fariba Forouhar. The play, inspired by her personal experiences, interrogations, and migration, holds the record for the most performances of an Iranian theater production outside Iran.

Participation in International Nowruz Celebration Another milestone in Forouhar's career was her participation in the International Nowruz Celebration organized by the Nowruz Commission at the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in the United States. She was invited as a Persian-speaking artist and singer. (The Nowruz Commission is a cultural and artistic organization formed by Iranians residing in the United States and ambassadors from Western and Central Asia, aimed at promoting the culture and traditions of Persian-speaking communities.)

Personal life On 20 August 2004, Leila Forouhar married Esmaeil Nabi and relocated to Orange County, California.

Concerts Before releasing her album Makhmal-e Naz, Leila Forouhar had prepared an album in a traditional style but, following suggestions from colleagues and companies, chose not to release it and instead debuted with Makhmal-e Naz, for which she composed the music herself. Following the success of her albums, she held numerous concerts in various countries worldwide.

Forouhar was the first Iranian artist to perform in Dubai and also held performances in Japan. At the invitation of Tajikistan, she performed in cities such as Dushanbe and Kulob, with audiences ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 attendees.

Kodak Theatre Concert Among Forouhar's notable achievements is performing three concerts at the Kodak Theatre, the venue for the Academy Awards. She performed there in 2003, 2008, and 2018.

Royce Hall Concert For the first time, Forouhar performed her album Az Ghalb-e Man live on stage. Accompanied by the Rumi Ensemble and Shohreh Aghdashloo, with a 26-member orchestra led by Amir Badakhsh, she presented the live performance of the album at the prestigious Royce Hall. The event, described as a night of love, mysticism, and authentic Iranian music, was dedicated to Iranians living in the United States.

Discography Unknown release 1974: Hadis

Avang Records releases 1977: Leila Forouhar 2 (Ham Parvaz)

Caltex Records releases 1990: Makhmal-e-Naz 1991: Hedieh (with Shahram Solati) 1991: Shance 1994: Attal Mattal (with Ebi) 1995: Heartbeat 1996: Mirage 1997: Love Songs 1997: Planet of Harmony 1997: Dance Beat 1998: Love Story 1999: Didar (with Shahram Shabpareh) 1999: Yek Samado Do Leila (soundtrack from the play "Yek Samado Do Leila") 2000: Photo 2001: Story of Yours, Story of Mine 2003: Live in Concert at the Kodak Theatre 2005: A Kiss 2008: Jooni Joonom (Song) 2008: My Moon 2012: From My Heart

Taraneh Record releases 1993: Hamsafar 1994: Do Parandeh 2012: From My Heart

Pars Video releases 1990: Makhmal-e-Naaz 1994: Parandeha (with Mahasti and Shahram Solati) 1999: Ghahremanane Vatan (with Andy and Dariush)

MZM Records releases 1992: Bahaaneh 2008: Maahe Man

Other Records releases 2000: Lets party (with Maxim & The Boyz)

Single tracks 1992: Nobahar (with other singers) 1994: Telesm (With Shamaei zadeh) 1996: Zamin larzid (with other singers) 2003: Sayad Nova 2006: Music (with 23 singers) 2007: IRAN(with Omid Soltani) 2007: The Memories (dedicated to Mahasti) 2009: Bedoon IRAN Nemimireh 2011: Do Parandeh (Remix) 2013: Kaashki 2013: Eshgham 2014: Ba Tou 2014: Khayli Hasasam 2014: Fereshtehaye Kucholo 2015: Kheili Douset Daram 2016: In Rooza 2016: Hesse Taraneh 2017: Begoo Baa Mani

Memory of Mahasti Following Mahasti’s passing in 2007, Leila Forouhar was one of four Iranian female singers—alongside Sepideh, Hengameh, and Helen, invited by the Tapesh Network to create a song in memory of Mahasti. The song was released after Mahasti’s death.

Az Ghalb-e Man A few days before Nowruz 1391 (2012), Leila Forouhar released the album Az Ghalb-e Man. The album features poems by classical Iranian poets such as Rumi, Eraqi, and Hafez, as well as contemporary poets including Fereydoon Moshiri, Rahi Moayyeri, and Simin Behbahani. The songs were composed and arranged by the Rumi Ensemble. Shohreh Aghdashloo also collaborated on the album, providing English recitations of the lyrics.

Videography Rouzegar (VHS) The Return (VHS) Flashback (VHS) A Kiss (DVD) Live in Concert at the Kodak Theatre (DVD) 4 DVD Collection #1

Filmography Khak King of Hearts (1968) Aramesh dar Hozooreh Digaraan Baagheh Boloor Shabeh Aftabi Ezteraab Four Sisters The Thirsty Ones Morad & laleh Iman The Beauty Sin Golden Cage The Springtime Connection Gorbe Koor