Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
Sara Jeihooni is a TV personality and recording artist. The Middle Eastern beauty, with the brains to match, attended Indiana University’s top 10 business school, The Kelley School of Business, ultimately obtaining an MBA in business finance. In 2020, Sara was cast on Season 8 of Bravo’s international hit tv show Shahs of Sunset. The only show covering Persian-Americans on television. Sara’s shocking story and contribution to the show landed her on the cover of TV Guide Ratings, with the show seeing a 140% increase in ratings. Sara went viral bringing a whole new set of eyes to the established show. Staying authentic by bringing class and brains, Sara is proud to have been one of the select few to be a part of this ensemble cast that gives representation for Persians around the world. Since the show, the reality TV star has launched her music career. In 2022, the recording artist and songwriter released her debut single “Playboys” which has reached over 100,000 streams across all platforms! Produced by Grammy Award-Winning producer Andrew Balogh, “Playboys” is an all out bop that is meant to inspire and empower listeners. The record landed her a spot on Spotify’s top playlist “Release Radar” among top recording artists Jack Harlow & Chris Brown.
Sara Jeihooni has made her mark in the music industry with the release of her newest single “In My Bag”. For the first time since honing in on her sound and releasing “In My Bag”, the first single of her EP, Sara is ready to share all the details behind her journey of transitioning from a TV Personality to a well respected artist in the music industry! From transcending genre boundaries in her music to being a beauty and fashion icon, Sara does it all while proudly representing her Persian culture!
Can you tell us about your journey from being a TV personality on Bravo’s Shahs of Sunset to becoming a recording artist? What inspired this transition?
Shahs brought me a lot of opportunities but coming from Corporate America, I only was interested in saying yes to opportunities I was truly passionate about. I realize everything is work and at the end of the day feeling fulfilled & passionate about my work was top priority to me. The opportunity for music just landed in my lap and it was something I dreamed of but never pursued for many reasons, so when the opportunity came I just felt like the universe was just speaking to me and I just couldn’t pass it up.
Your debut single, “Playboys,” received a great response with over 100,000 streams. What motivated you to venture into the music industry?
I’ve always been obsessed with music from childhood. It’s been a long time dream… a dream that felt too big for a lot of my life. I believe I just got to a point where I was just too scared of the regret I may have one day if I didn’t go for it.
“In My Bag” is your newest single. Can you share the inspiration behind this song and what listeners can expect from your upcoming music?
In My Bag is just a reflection of my mood and the space I was in when I got to the studio the day we recorded. I’ve been hyper focused on my career and my music. This was the last song I created for my upcoming EP, which I’m so proud of and I was just on a high and really feeling like I was “In My Bag”.
How do you balance your identity as a Persian-American and your representation of Persian culture in your music and career?
I’m just me. I’m so used to balancing both sides of me and being both that I think it comes through without me having to really think about it. I respect both and always want to show love and appreciation and consideration for both sides.
What challenges did you face while transitioning from reality TV to the music industry, and how did you overcome them?
Coming off of a show like Shahs Of Sunset and that brand can be a challenge. People have an expectation of you and trying to live up to that while trying to start over and switch careers in the midst of a pandemic was so hard. Essentially you’re starting over with a lot more people watching you.
As a breakout Persian female artist, what message or impact do you hope to bring to the music industry?
I just hope to give Persians a bit more representation. I hope young Persian girls can see what I’m doing and feel inspired to follow their dreams. I never got to see a Persian girl do anything I dreamed of growing up in Indiana – so it didn’t feel possible. In my culture, it felt almost unacceptable and not respected. I just hope to be a part of a change in that mindset with everything I do.
You have an MBA in business finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. How has your educational background influenced your career choices and decisions?
Well the music industry and being an independent artist is all business so I’m using it everyday. Getting my MBA has given me the confidence to trust myself and my decision making in my career. It’s helped me navigate this very tricky industry and taught me many ways to hustle to make it all happen.
“Playboys” was produced by Grammy Award-Winning producer Andrew Balogh. Can you share your experience working with him and how it influenced your music?
I’m very grateful for Andrew. He is the main reason I landed here. I learned a lot from working with him. He really walked me through the process from start to finish with my first record and really set me up and taught me a lot of the business of it all along the way. I always say he was like my training wheels. He really held my hand every step of the way in the beginning and I really needed that support to feel like I could do it.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists looking to make a name for themselves in the music industry, especially those who are transitioning from other careers?
I’m a big advocate for transitioning careers if it no longer serves you or you lack fulfillment there. When it comes to aspiring artists, I’d say go for it if you feel called for this journey. Do not do it for the approval of others, for money, or attention/fame etc. Do it for the love of music. Do it for the love you have to create. It’s a journey with many challenges and no guarantees but if you’re happy and in love with the journey it is worth everything.
