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Lara Fabian

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Lara Fabian is a highly successful Belgian and Canadian singer and songwriter.

LaraFabianLiveinAthens2018 08
LaraFabianLiveinAthens2018 08

Throughout her career, she has sold over 12 million records worldwide. This massive number makes her one of the best-selling Belgian artists in history. Born in Etterbeek, Brussels, on January 9, 1970, she has a diverse cultural background. Her father, Pierre Crokaert, is a Fleming, and her mother, Maria Luisa Serio, is Sicilian. Because of her mother, Fabian grew up speaking Italian as her first language. This multicultural upbringing shaped her identity as an international performer.

Her musical education began very early in her childhood. Her parents recognized her natural talent and enrolled her in the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. She began her studies there at the age of eight. She remained a student at the conservatory for ten years. This formal training provided the foundation for her professional career. In the 1980s, she began entering various European music competitions. She won several prizes during this period, which helped her gain recognition across the continent.

Fabian's early professional success reached a major milestone in 1988. She was invited by the RTL TV channel in Luxembourg to represent the country at the 33rd Eurovision Song Contest. The contest took place in Dublin, Ireland. She performed a song titled "Croire" (Believe), which was composed by Jacques Cardona and Alain Garcia. Her performance earned fourth place in the competition. The single became a significant hit in Europe, selling nearly 500,000 copies. This success set the stage for her move to North America in 1990.

In 1990, Fabian moved to Montreal, Quebec, alongside her musical collaborator, Rick Allison. They sought to build a career in North America and established their own music label, Productions Clandestines. Her self-titled French-language debut album was released in Canada in 1991. The album sold over 100,000 copies and brought her significant radio exposure. Hit singles like "Le jour où tu partiras" and "Les murs" helped establish her presence. By 1993, she was voted Québec's most promising singer in a public poll.

Her breakthrough came with the 1994 release of the album *Carpe diem*. This album reached gold status only three weeks after its release. By the following year, it had achieved double platinum status. The album produced three major hits: "Tu t'en vas," "Si tu m'aimes," and "Leïla." Her success led to two Félix Awards in 1995 for Best Show of the Year and Best Female Singer of the Year. In 1996, her talent was recognized by Walt Disney Studios. She provided the French voice for the character Esmeralda in the animated film *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*.

Fabian achieved massive international success with her 1997 album, *Pure*. This album sold more than two million copies in France alone. It reached platinum status in less than two weeks. The record featured several hit singles, including the anti-homophobia anthem "La Différence." Her popularity continued to grow as she expanded into English-language music. In 1999, she recorded her first English album in New York and San Francisco. The single "I Will Love Again" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Throughout her career, Fabian has demonstrated remarkable versatility across different genres and languages. She has recorded music in French, English, Italian, and Spanish. In 2001, she collaborated with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to record the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada." She performed multiple versions, including English, French, and a bilingual version. Her work has also appeared on Hollywood soundtracks, such as *Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within*. Even after shifting toward a smoother, more serene musical style with her 2005 album *9*, she continued to tour internationally. Her life and career illustrate how music can bridge different cultures and nations.

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