Meet Debbi James

We were lucky to catch up with Debbi James recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Debbi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

of loss, struggle, and the healing power of music. I grew up with amazing roll models my mother Nava Halimi was a model, actress and super mom and my father Steve James, was a celebrated actor in the ‘80s—known for roles in American Ninja, Delta Force, and I’m Gonna Get You Sucka. His love for acting, his unwavering dedication to his craft, and the legacy he left behind taught me what it meant to truly pour your heart and soul into something you love. He showed me that purpose isn’t just a job; it’s about creating a lasting impact and honoring the hard work it takes to get there.

My parents met in Tel Aviv Israel, where my father was filming Delta Force they fell in love in the gym a year later got married in Los Angeles and from that union, I was born. But life took a devastating turn when I lost both of them at a young age. Father passed in 1993 from pancreatic cancer, and my mother unfortunately took her own life when I was 16 years old
The pain of losing them left me at a crossroads—either let that pain consume me or rise above it and find my own way. It was in that moment of grief that I decided to pack my bags, leave Israel, and move to America. I didn’t know the language, but I knew I had to find myself and make something of my life.

Through the struggles of adjusting to a new country and learning how to chase my dreams, I found something that truly saved me—music. Music has always been my peace, my refuge, and ultimately, my purpose. When I step on stage in front of thousands of people in sold-out arenas, and I see their smiles, their joy, their energy, it fills my heart in a way words can’t describe. The feeling I get when I catch a fan’s eye, give them the mic to sing along, or simply share that moment of connection, I see the spark in their eyes, and it makes me realize: this is my purpose. I’m here to help people forget their pain, forget the chaos of the world, and for those 60-90 minutes in the arena, give them a night they’ll never forget—a night filled with joy, music, and love.

This purpose is especially significant to me given the current situation in my home country, Israel. When the war broke out, we had just started the Trilogy Tour with Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull. It was one of the hardest days of my life—waking up to horrific videos showing what my country was going through, knowing I had to go on stage and act normal, to smile and bring energy to a crowd. That was challenging, but what gave me the strength to continue was the faces in the crowd, the smiles, the excitement, the energy. They reminded me why I’m here: to bring people joy, to help them escape their struggles, if only for a little while and at that same day they where my escape and my peace

People have asked me if I’m scared to travel to certain places because I’m Jewish, especially with the war going on, and my answer is always the same: ‘Music is the only language we all speak.’ When we hear a great song, we don’t care where the person next to us is from, what they’re wearing, or what religion they practice. We all sing together, laugh together, and for that one song, we forget about all the divisions that separate us. That’s the power of music—it unites us, it heals us, and it reminds us that we’re all in this together.

So, when I step on stage, I know my purpose is clear: to spread love, unity, and peace through music. To help people forget the noise and pain in the world, and to give them a moment of joy they can hold onto long after the concert ends. It’s the most fulfilling job I could ask for, and I love every minute of it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a singer, songwriter, and performer, and I’ve had the incredible privilege of being Enrique Iglesias’s backup singer since 2019, touring the world with him and performing in front of thousands of fans across the globe. It’s been an amazing experience to be part of his team, and I continue to be a part of his live performances today, traveling and learning from such an iconic artist. Alongside this, I’ve been working on my solo music, creating new sounds and exploring my own artistic journey.

I’m excited to share with you all that I just released a new single along with the music video called Losin’ (produced by Jew Da Best) which is available on all music and streaming platforms. The feedback has been amazing, and I’m so grateful for the support. I’ve got more music on the way, with a new release coming in just a few weeks, so be sure to stay tuned for updates. I’m exploring a fresh sound that I can’t wait to share with everyone, and I believe it represents a new chapter in my music and my growth as an artist.

One of the most special things coming up for me is a show in Los Angeles on January 10th called When It Rains in LA. It’s part of a music festival and a movie premiere at the iconic Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. This show holds deep significance for me because it’s not only an opportunity to share my own music with a great crowd, but it also marks a personal milestone. My parents attended the premiere of American Ninja at that very theater, and to be performing there with my own music feels like a beautiful full-circle moment. It’s truly a special place for me, and I can’t wait to share this experience with you all.

If you’re in LA, I’d love for you to join me on the red carpet, watch the performance, and be part of a memorable night that ends with a fantastic movie premiere. It’s going to be an unforgettable evening, and I hope to see you there! You can find all the event details and updates on my Instagram @singerdebbijames.

Thank you for your support, and I can’t wait to connect with all of you at the show and share more new music soon!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, I can point to three key qualities that have been the most impactful in helping me get where I am today. First and foremost, believing in yourself is essential. When I first moved to America, English wasn’t my first language, and I struggled with doubts about my abilities. My self-esteem and confidence were definitely impacted by those doubts, but I realized that if I wanted to pursue music, I had to believe in myself. I had to accept that I still had a lot to learn, but that was okay—it was part of the process. Once I made the decision that music was what I wanted to do and that I knew I was good at it, things started to move for me. Believing in yourself is the first and most important step to any journey.

The second key quality is accepting constructive criticism. Early on, I learned that hearing “no” or being told “it’s not good enough” is not a reflection of your worth—it’s simply part of the process. It’s crucial to be open to feedback and not be too proud to learn from others. Whether it’s a mentor, a fellow artist, or a fan, there’s always something to learn from criticism. I had to get comfortable with the idea that I didn’t know everything and that I could improve by listening, adjusting, and evolving.

Finally, investing in yourself is vital. It’s easy to expect others to invest in you, but before that can happen, you need to invest in yourself. That means putting time, money, and energy into perfecting your craft, developing your business, honing your image, and putting your music out into the world. Having a plan for yourself and executing it consistently is crucial. Whether it’s working on your vocal technique, understanding the music business, or marketing yourself, every step you take to invest in your future will pay off.

For anyone starting their journey, my advice is simple: believe in yourself, stay open to learning and criticism, and always invest in your growth. You’ll face challenges along the way, but as long as you stay focused, patient, and committed, the process will lead to growth and success.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The number one challenge I’m facing right now, and I’m sure I’m not alone in this, is figuring out my genre of music. As artists, we tend to be a bit mischievous, and that means I love so many types of music—80s and 90s rock, jazz, EDM, country, pop, you name it. The problem arises when people ask me, “What type of music do you do?” I’ve always felt like I had to answer with something that fits into a specific box, something that’s “hot” or trendy at the moment. But the truth is, I never felt connected to the music I was making when I thought that way.

For a long time, this uncertainty made me hesitant to release anything new. I’d overthink every track, questioning if it was “good enough” or if it fit into the right genre. I realized that this kind of thinking was the biggest mistake I could make as an artist. The key to growing and finding what truly resonates with me is simply putting the music out there. You can’t know what works for you if you don’t try different things and see how people react.

Now, I’m in a place where I just go with whatever music feels right in the moment. Some people will love it, some won’t, and that’s okay. Some will add it to their Spotify, some will think it’s trash—it’s all part of the process. Not every song is going to be for everyone, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad song. The way I see it, music is like painting: when an artist picks up a brush, they don’t think, “Oh, Picasso did it this way, so I need to do the same.” They just go with whatever colors or vibe they’re feeling at that moment.

That’s the beauty of the internet today—it gives us the freedom to explore and express ourselves in ways that weren’t possible before. So I’m using this opportunity to have fun with my music, to experiment, and trust that I’ll eventually find the sound that feels like me. I believe that’s the only way to really discover your true artistic identity.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photographer: Ella Bar

Makeup: Ortal Labrecque

Styling:
-PR Solo Fashion house LA
-Georgina Herrera (Georgina jewelry)
-Veronica Tharmalinga
-Only Maker Shoes

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