Discover the inspiring journey of Vidya Vox, a renowned American singer, songwriter, and YouTuber, from her early life to her remarkable achievements in the music industry.
Wiki/Biography
Vidya Iyer, known professionally as Vidya Vox, was born on Wednesday, September 26, 1990, in Chennai, India. Her zodiac sign is Libra. At the age of five, she began learning Carnatic music. Her family immigrated to the USA when she was eight, settling in Virginia. She pursued a BSc in Psychology with a minor in Biomedical Sciences from George Washington University, initially intending to pursue medical school. However, her passion for music ultimately led her to a different path. She spent two years in India honing her Carnatic classical and Western vocal skills under the tutelage of D. K. Nagarajan.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Vidya was born into a Tamil family. She has a sister, Vandana Iyer, with whom she collaborated early in her career. She is currently in a relationship with Shankar Tucker, a clarinetist and music composer.
Career
In 2011, Vidya, her sister Vandana, and her boyfriend Shankar collaborated on Shankar’s composition, “Nee Nenaindal,” which was released on Shankar’s YouTube channel, The Shruti Box. This marked the beginning of her professional musical journey. She performs regularly with Shankar’s band and has graced prestigious venues such as the White House, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (India), and Webster Hall. She has also performed at numerous international events including Festivals Des Artes in Reunion Island, INK Women in Suriname, events in Dubai, and the Meru Concert Series in the Netherlands.
Vidya launched her YouTube channel in 2014, gaining over 6.5 million subscribers. Her initial uploads included mashups of songs, though some were removed due to copyright issues. She’s known for her popular covers, which include unique blends of Western and Indian music.
She released her debut album, “Kuthu Fire,” in 2017, followed by “Mad Dreams” in 2019.
Awards & Achievements
- YouTube Creator Awards – Silver Button (2015)
- YouTube Creator Awards – Gold Button (2016)
Favourite Things
| Category | Favorite |
|---|---|
| Actress | Deepika Padukone |
| Actors | Matt Bomer, Hrithik Roshan |
| Food | Rice, Dal, Bhindi Sabzi, Dosa & Sambhar, Pizza, Tacos, Burritos |
| Singers | Beyonce, Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran |
| Music Composers | A. R. Rahman, Hans Zimmer |
| Song | Jiya Jale (from the film “Dil Se”) |
Facts/Trivia
Vidya enjoys playing tennis, reading, and dancing. Her upbringing involved navigating the challenges of a difficult family dynamic and cultural differences. She faced bullying and prejudice as an Indian immigrant in the US, experiencing a stark contrast between her home life and her school life. This contrast significantly shaped her perspectives and creative expression.
Her stage name, “Vox,” is Latin for “voice,” a fitting moniker considering her powerful vocal talent. She is fluent in Tamil, Telugu, English, Hindi, and French.
