The debut single Hot climbed to the top of Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart in 2010, marking a breakthrough for Romanian pop music on the global stage. Elena Alexandra Apostoleanu, performing under the name Inna, transitioned from a background in political science at Ovidius University to becoming the best-selling artist from her home country.
Early Career Transitions
Born in Mangalia in 1986, Apostoleanu was raised in Neptun. Before pursuing music full-time, she attended the Colegiul Economic in Mangalia and later studied political science. Her initial industry attempts included an unsuccessful audition for the band A.S.I.A. In 2008, she briefly adopted the moniker Alessandra to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, before settling on the name Inna, a childhood nickname used by her grandfather.
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Following her collaboration with the production trio Play & Win, Inna shifted her focus toward house and EDM music. Her first studio album, titled Hot, was released in 2009 and earned Gold and Platinum certifications. By 2011, she had been identified as the highest-paid artist in Romania and Eastern Europe. The track Sun Is Up, released in 2010, secured her the Eurodanceweb Award, a first for a Romanian musician.
Global Collaborations and Evolution
Inna expanded her international profile through partnerships with artists including Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, and producers at Atlantic Records and Roc Nation. Her creative output remains diverse, spanning from dance-oriented popcorn music to the experimental Spanish-language project Yo, released in 2019. Beyond her discography, she has served as a coach on Vocea României Junior and engages in human rights advocacy concerning domestic violence and children's welfare.
Fast facts
- Born: 1986, Mangalia, Romania
- Primary Occupations: Singer, musician, pop singer
- MTV Europe Music Award for Best Romanian Act: 2009, 2010, 2015
- Languages: Romanian, English, Spanish
- Debut Album: Hot (2009)
- Highest-paid artist (Romania/Eastern Europe): 2011
Questions readers ask
What was Inna's first stage name?
She used the name Alessandra in early 2008.
Which languages does Inna use in her work?
She records and speaks in Romanian, English, and Spanish.
Achievements
- Worked as singer, pop singer and musician
