2026 could be the year of Adéla. She released her debut album PRIMA, opened for Demi Lovato’s tour, and her hit single, “Nicole Kidman”, is becoming one of this year’s fastest-rising pop hits. All this to say, would you believe me if I told you she was eliminated from a global talent competition in the first round?
Three years ago, Netflix premiered ‘’Dream Academy’’, a reality competition series where the best talents in the world compete for a spot in the next global girl group. Despite giving her all, Adéla got eliminated in the first challenge due to receiving the fewest fan votes after contestants went public. At the time, the judges said that they saw Adéla as a solo artist, and they were right. Even though she describes that year as the worst of her life, she believes the early elimination gave her time to figure out what she can pursue as a solo artist.
So, what made her stand out in an industry where it’s hard to find your niche? Her background. Adéla is originally from Slovakia, and in her song ‘’KGB,’’ she narrates her story through catchy lyrics, with dance pop and electro house influence. This song captures her experience being an immigrant in a Western country, a topic she keeps revisiting in her debut album. People from around the world connected to her storytelling because she showcases that you don’t have to start in the City of Angels or The Big Apple. Since her young age, her mom had posters of pop culture figures in her one-bedroom apartment in the small city of Prievidza, Slovakia, which heavily impacted her creative visions. It proves that even if you were born far from the land of dreams and opportunities, it doesn’t undermine how exceptional you can be.
Her next single “Ain’t in LA” caught the perfect time to be released because everyone was bringing back the ‘2016 era’. The song and the music for it combine a nostalgic feeling, 2016 pop culture references, and Adela’s own cultural identity. This is a perfect execution of being inspired by 2016’s musical era, yet adding your own touch to deliver something refreshing and authentic. Many trends emerged from this song, one of them being the famous pink posters plastered around the world, with the word “LA” replaced with the name of a different city. It was the song promotion’s visual identity, allowing people to connect with the song on a deeper, personal level.
Adéla’s journey in the music industry continues to unfold in 2026 as her songs continue to chart and her fanbase grows. Although she’s been gaining more and more recognition, it’s important to remember that her success story began with her envisioning her dreams in that little apartment in Slovakia. Her background is a testament to how looking inward can put you on the direction of the next pop star.