Don't Worry, Be Happy

Multiplatinum recording star Che’Nelle shares her inspirations as she prepares to help Club Members celebrate the Fourth of July.

The princess of love. That’s what Japanese fans call Che’Nelle.

Since the release of her debut album Things Happen for a Reason in 2007, the Malaysian Australian recording artist and songwriter has become part of the nation’s musical vernacular. She has composed themes for hit Japanese TV dramas Fufu no Himitsu (The Secrets of the Married), Reverse and Dear Sister, as well as the motion pictures Umizaru Brave Hearts and Tonight at Romance Theater.

Along the way, she became a multiplatinum artist, recipient of seven Japan Gold Disc Awards and a streaming sensation, with more than 400 million plays across Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music. And on July 5, she’ll help Members ring in America’s 249th birthday at the Club’s daylong Independence Day Celebration.

“I believe it came about because of the ballads I kept releasing,” she tells INTOUCH of the princess moniker. “It created my own lane that I didn’t even expect. When I was given that name, I didn’t realize how long it would stick around. I’m humbled by it.”

Born in Malaysia, Che’Nelle began singing in her father’s karaoke bar. When she was 10, she moved to Perth, Australia. Her eyes were always set on being a singer. In high school, she played in a pop cover band.

Asked what that girl would think about the artist she has become, she says: “Wow, Che! You really experienced the most amazing ride in the music industry—and still are—with all the unexpected opportunities, singing in a language you don’t really speak, but nonetheless doing what you love. That alone is an amazing achievement. Go you! I’m proud of you and am so happy that you chose to follow your dreams no matter how impossible a lot of moments may have felt.”

Che’Nelle’s industry start came about through a path that may seem common today—social media—but which was in its early days when she posted her music to MySpace and caught the eye of Virgin Music in 2005. Social media, she says, is absolutely incredible for artists and has allowed many the freedom to put out exactly what they want, and to showcase who they really are.

“It has created a path for many more artists who may never have been given the opportunity, for whatever limiting reasons the industry has. At that time, I had no idea that my music would be noticed through an online platform; it kinda just happened. I’ll forever be grateful.”

Since that transformative moment, Che’Nelle has released seven studio albums, two compilation albums, two cover albums and four EPs. She has garnered more than a quarter billion views on YouTube and earned over 14 million digital sales.

She has also become a mother, something that she says has changed her view of music.

“[I see] that my career is not all that matters,” she reveals. “I didn’t realize how career-minded I was, to the point almost nothing else mattered. My songwriting has had more essence since, with less judgment, less anxiety. Things that I worried about, I don’t anymore, and life as a musician has become more meaningful, fun. It’s harder to manage, of course, but I love it.”

She says that she also loves having her family with her when she performs.

“It’s hard when I’m away from them. I function to my highest potential more so when they’re close to me. But hey, I do my best always. I love being a mom. It’s the freaking most challenging, beautiful, awesome, horrible, inspiring experience ever, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

In May, Che’Nelle released a new single, “Everybody.” The inspiration, she says, was personal.

“I wanted to write a song that was easy to sing along with, with a fun melody but a message that also inspires people or that they can think about.

“Something that I guess I was learning when I wrote it was the awareness I grew to have about the times when we feel like our world is crumbling, when things are [terrible] in our lives and it literally feels ‘lonely,’ almost as if we are the only ones going through a tough time,” she explains. “But if we allow ourselves to pause a second and realize we don’t have to experience anything alone, or feel like we’re the only one doomed, we can reach out, allow others to be there for us or even make a shift and help or give to others when we’re down. It’s a powerful thing when we can come out of our own trap and trust that we’re gonna be okay, and that we are all loved, always.”

Bringing that spirit of love to the Club will mark the return for Che’Nelle to a holiday celebration she has enjoyed in the past.

“I did Fourth of July for years when I lived in the States—loads of gatherings and barbecues. It has usually been a day spent with friends and ‘some’ drinks (ha-ha). I moved back to Australia four years ago, so this will be the first Fourth of July I’ll be doing since then. I’m looking forward to it.”