Melissa Khalaj is not only a presenter, but also a singer. She can currently be heard in the theme song of the series “Disney Junior Arielle”.
Melissa Khalaj (35) is now an integral part of the “The Voice” family. Together with Thore Schölermann (39), she hosts the popular music shows “The Voice of Germany” and “The Voice Kids”. She has now switched sides for the preschool series “Disney Junior Arielle” and was not only able to sing the title song alongside “The Voice Kids” finalist Lana, but also accompany a local Disney Channel participation campaign as a coach.
The winning children were allowed to sing along in the chorus of the title song of “Disney Junior Arielle” and act in the music video. The animated series can be seen on the Disney Channel from September 2nd, Monday to Friday, from 7:50 a.m. For the presenter and singer, this was a “little dream” come true, as she reveals in an interview. “It’s just fun to dance and sing with the children, to just be free.” Khalaj started her career in a casting show and is currently working on new music.
You regularly work as a presenter on “The Voice of Germany” and “The Voice Kids”. You have now switched to the jury and coaching position for the participation campaign for “Disney Junior Arielle”. How much did you enjoy this new task?
Melissa Khalaj: I was really looking forward to the task. I knew straight away that I would enjoy it. As a presenter, I also try to give the kids tips backstage and calm their nerves. I’m a bit like a big sister. When we filmed the clip, the inner child in me came out. It’s just fun to dance and sing with the children, to just be free.
Besides “The Voice Kids” finalist Lana and the winning children, you can also be heard in the title song?
Khalaj: Yes, I have a small part in the song together with the children’s choir. I have always sung and I still sing today. With the song in the Disney cosmos, a small dream of mine actually came true.
Which Disney films do you particularly like? Are you an “Ariel” fan yourself?
Khalaj: I’m a huge Disney fan – always have been. In the film “The Little Mermaid” I especially liked her little fish Flounder. He is one of my favorite characters. I even had a Flounder stuffed animal as a child. One of my favorite Disney films is “The Lion King.”
You and Lana are now back in front of the camera. Do you also follow the careers of other former “The Voice Kids” candidates? Are you still in touch with them?
Khalaj: Through social media, we have actually always stayed a little bit connected. The kids follow us and we follow the kids back. You always see what they have been up to over the years. To this day, I still follow some of the kids that I was able to accompany in my first seasons since 2018. It’s really nice when I meet them at events, for example, and see how they have developed.
You started your career on a casting show and tried your luck on “Popstars”. What memories do you have of that time?
Khalaj: I have very good memories of the “Popstars” era. It was my start in the media world and helped me a lot in my development. You become independent very quickly and grow with the tasks and challenges that are given to you and that you are allowed to manage on your own. But it was also a crazy time. You suddenly became famous overnight, that was crazy. But I look back on that time fondly, even if you look at some things with a bit of embarrassment today. (laughs)
Nothing has been heard of the winning band Room2012. Looking back, are you glad that you didn’t make it into the band and went down a different path?
Khalaj: I believe in fate. That things just happen the way they are supposed to. The band just wasn’t my path. I continued making music later on and am making music again now. Music is still part of my life.
Today you work mainly as a presenter. Would you like to try singing again?
Khalaj: Actually, yes. I’ve tried it again and again over the past few years. But because of my other jobs, I can’t concentrate 100 percent on it. I didn’t like a lot of the things I did, and I kept starting over and then discarding them – as you do as an artist. You write, you produce, and maybe you haven’t found the right sound for yourself yet. I’m actually working on something again at the moment, but I can’t say much more about it yet.
The new season of “The Voice of Germany” starts in autumn with three returning coaches and one new addition. Who are you most looking forward to seeing?
Khalaj: I’m looking forward to meeting all the coaches. I know Mark Forster very well from the last few seasons. I’ve also already met Samu Haber. This is the first time I’m working with Yvonne Catterfeld. I find her very likeable. With Kamrad, I was especially curious to see how he would do among the old hands. And I have to say: Chapeau! He really put in the effort and gave it his all – both in the blind auditions and in the battles, which we’ve already recorded.
Is there a coach from the past seasons that you particularly remember?
Khalaj: The coaches last year were a really funny bunch. I especially loved Bill and Tom Kaulitz. They created a great atmosphere and I’m still in touch with them today. I’ll definitely remember Peter Maffay too. I was incredibly impressed by his professionalism, his knowledge, his passion, just his whole demeanor.
Source: Stern

I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.