Eden xo

Jessica Eden Malakouti (born March 30, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She has formerly released music as Jessie and the Toy Boys, Eden xo, and Jessie Malakouti.

For the song "XO" by Eden, see I Think You Think Too Much of Me.
Eden
Birth nameJessica Eden Malakouti
Also known as
  • Jessie Malakouti
  • Jessie and the Toy Boys
Born (1989-03-30) March 30, 1989
Anaheim, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Years active2006–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewww.edenxomusic.com

Background

Eden grew up in a multicultural household in Moreno Valley, California.[1][2] She is of Iranian descent on her father's side and European American on her mother's side. She has two younger brothers, Jared and Michael. Her older half siblings (Ruben and Ambre) are half Mexican.[3] Eden comes from a musical family, as her father played harmonica and her mother would play church hymns on an antique upright piano in their house. As a young child, Eden first wrote songs by taking her poems and putting them to melodies on the family piano.[4] When Malakouti was in the 5th grade she was cast as Wendy Darling in her elementary school's production of Peter Pan. Eden had a love for performing and writing music from an early age. When she was 12 years old, she would write and pre-rehearse raps at home then go to school the following day and battle other kids as though it was freestyle rap.[5]

Career

2007–2009: Career beginnings with Shut Up Stella

At age 16, Malakouti emancipated herself from her parents, graduated high school two years early, and moved to Hollywood to pursue her show business dreams.[6]

Soon after arriving in Hollywood, Malakouti started an all-female band called Shut Up Stella, which signed with Epic Records in 2007. Shut Up Stella's music appeared in a variety of media between 2007–2008; "Watch Me Rain" was featured in MTV's Super Sweet 16: The Movie and "Welcome to My Party" appeared in the 2008 films Girl, Positive and Baby Mama. On March 27, 2008 Shut Up Stella was dropped by Epic and Malakouti decided to go solo.[7]

In 2008, Malakouti's songs "Trash Me" and "Outsider" appeared in episodes of MTV's The Hills.[8][9] The songs were also independently self-released as music videos and digital downloads.

In December 2008, Malakouti signed a publishing deal with EMI and spent two years in London working on dance music with Fred Falke as well as writing for UK production house Xenomania.[10]

The result of this time was a single called "Standing Up for the Lonely" [11][12] which was released on British dance label Ministry of Sound. "Standing Up for the Lonely" also appeared in The Annual 2010 (2009, Ministry of Sound), Dance Nation 2 (2009, Ministry of Sound) and Funky House Classics (2010, Ministry of Sound) compilation albums.[13]

2010–13: Jessie and The Toy Boys and other projects

Jessie and The Toy Boys was launched in March 2010 with the first single "Push It" being released in February 2011 which peaked at 7 on the Billboard dance chart. As well as "Push It", on the same day, "Valentine" and "We Own the Night" were also released. These songs were used by The CW in their general promos for the network, as well as the station's written "motto" in their station promos.

In June 2011, Jessie and The Toy Boys released an EP titled Show Me Your Tan Lines, and Malakouti made her television debut on Conan.[14] During this time, Jessie and The Toy Boys was one of the opening acts during Britney Spears' sixth concert tour, the Femme Fatale Tour.[15][16] During this time she recorded her next single, "Lets Get Naughty" which was released in October 2011 and performed on Femme Fatale Tour. Malakouti was a main stage act alongside Kaskade, Rusko, Steve Aoki, and Avicii on the Identity Festival.[17] Jessie and The Toy Boys' debut album This Is How Rumours Start[18] was due out in early 2012 but has failed to surface. Although there was no album release, Malakouti released a few YouTube videos of unreleased songs during 2012 as well as a music video for "On with My Bad Self" (under the name Jessie Malakouti and The Toy Boys), but none of the songs were later officially released.

In May 2013, Malakouti released a music video for what was originally a Toy Boys song, "White Girl Wasted" under her real name, Jessie Malakouti.[19] This sparked rumors that she would no longer be releasing music under the name Jessie and The Toy Boys. On September 27, 2013, Malakouti uploaded a picture via her Facebook page confirming that she had signed a new recording contract with Virgin Records.[20] Along with a new record deal, Malakouti would be re-branding herself again with a new name as well, Eden xo, derived from her middle name.

2014–2018: Eden xo, "Too Cool to Dance," "The Weekend," and songwriting

On June 2, 2014, Malakouti released her debut single under the name Eden xo, "Too Cool to Dance".[21] An accompanying "homemade GIF video" was released the same day as the song premiered on iTunes.[22] On July 23, a lyric video to the song was released onto the official Vevo channel for Eden xo and an accompanying audio video was released on August 14.[23][24] Throughout August and September, Malakouti released a series of remixes of "Too Cool to Dance" on her SoundCloud page. The official music video for "Too Cool to Dance" was released on September 17, 2014 on Vevo.[25]

"Too Cool to Dance" was featured in 2014's 4th annual National Dance Day. So You Think You Can Dance producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe choreographed a special routine to the song and encouraged the public to submit their own dance videos performing the routine.[26] In December 2014 "Too Cool To Dance" peaked at number 31 on the American Top 40 Chart.[27] Following the exit of Eden's A&R Ron Fair, Virgin Records changed singles and pulled the song from radio.[28]

On February 16, 2015, Malakouti debuted her next single, titled "The Weekend", on JustJared.com. Later that day, her official Vevo account uploaded live versions of "Too Cool to Dance" and "The Weekend", revealing that she was their next Vevo DSCVR artist. "The Weekend" was then made available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon on February 17, 2015. On February 23, Eden xo performed on Good Morning America to promote her latest single "The Weekend". She also confirmed via her Twitter account that her debut EP is titled "Dirty Blonde" and will be released in 2015.

On March 13, 2015, Malakouti released a remix of "The Weekend" featuring rapper Lil Jon.[29] On March 24, 2015, Malakouti released a lyric video of the original version on her official Vevo.[30][31]

Malakouti shot the music video for "The Weekend" on May 2, 2015 and streamed the behind-the-scenes happenings live on the Periscope app.[32][33] YouTube personality Ricky Dillon appears in the video.[34] Pop singer-songwriter Bonnie McKee appears as "CinderHella."[35] The music video premiered on July 24 on Snapchat's The Snap Channel.[36] The next day, Malakouti uploaded the video to her non-Vevo YouTube account.[37] That summer Eden co-headlined The Los Angeles Pride festival on June 13, 2015 alongside Tinashe, Kesha, and Fifth Harmony.[38]

On August 21, 2015, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade uploaded videos of him lip-syncing "The Weekend" as well as The Black Eyed Peas hit, "I Gotta Feeling."[39]

On September 18, 2015, Malakouti released a new single titled "Hold Me Now", which is a cover of the Thompson Twins hit with some new lyrics written by Malakouti.[40][41] Malakouti's version is featured in the pilot episode of The Fox TV series, Scream Queens.[42][43]

In 2016, Malakouti appeared as a featured artist on DJ Swick's song "Sideline."[44]

On September 30, 2016, Malakouti released the single and music video, "El Barrio."[45] Artist Rafael Reyes makes a cameo in the video as Eden's love interest.[46]

Malakouti focused on writing material for other major artists, such as KYGO, Armin Van Buuren and Ava Max, for much of 2017 and half of 2018, before returning to the studio in London, Los Angeles and Stockholm to concentrate on her own music career.

2019–Present: The Question

On June 28, 2019 Eden released her debut EP entitled The Question via independent record label AlphaOmega Records. The six track EP was made available digitally and on vinyl[47] and included remixes of lead singles "So Lucky" by British dance duo Just Kiddin, and "Have It All" by theF9, formally of Freemasons. A promotional music video for "So Lucky" was released and featured an appearance by Angelyne.

The Question was well received by critics. Peter Robinson of Popjustice described the collection as 'an EP that fizzes with future-facing pop flair and classic songwriting...brilliantly expressive'[48]

In October 2019, Eden released a cover of Tones and I's hit single "Dance Monkey" and an original song titled "Bad Girls Go To Heaven" with longtime collaborator Bonnie Mckee. The duet was featured in episode 303 of The CW's TV series Dynasty.[49] On July 14, 2020 Eden released "American Youth French Kissing" which she stated was the first single from her upcoming debut album. The song was featured in MTV's Siesta Key Season 3 finale.[50] On September 4, 2020 Eden followed up with "Paradise Found." The visualizer premiered on PAPER MAG.[51]

Discography
Main article: Eden xo discography

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2013 One Life to Live Dusky Recurring role
2017[52] You're Gonna Miss Me[53] Honey Merlot completed

Tours

Opening act

References
  1. "Eden XO's New Single Proves Gold Can Stay in 'El Barrio'". Galore. 2016-09-30. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  2. "Watch Eden xo's Spacey New Music Video for "El Barrio"". Time. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  3. How Eden XO Came Up With "Too Cool To Dance" And Rapping In Farsi. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-01-09. Retrieved 2017-01-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. musicbizstudent (2011-03-11). "EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH JESSIE MALAKOUTI OF JESSIE AND THE TOY BOYS PART I". Multidimensional Music Blog. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  6. [ "Pop's Next Big Thing Jessie and the Toy Boys"]
  7. [ "Shut Up Stella Split Up After Being Dropped By Epic"], Popdirt.com, March 29, 2008.
  8. [ Songs from the show, episode 407], MTV.com
  9. [ Songs from the show, episode 409], MTV.com
  10. [ Xenomania's new crop of pop stars], BBC News online, September 11, 2009.
  11. [ "Listen: Jessie Malakouti - Who's That Man and Jungle Town"]
  12. [ "Jessie Malakouti Stands Up for The Lonely"]
  13. [ "Listen: Jessie Malakouti Who's That Man and Jungle Town"]
  14. "Photos From Thursday, 06/09/11". Teamcoco. 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  15. "Britney Spears To Tour With Nicki Minaj". MTV. 2011-04-12. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  16. "Britney Spears' Official Femme Fatale Tour Lineup and On-Sale Dates". Popdust. April 12, 2011. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  17. Young, Alex (2011-09-10). "Identity Festival 2011". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  18. "Exclusive Q&A: Jessie and the Toy Boys Play Around With 'This Is How Rumors Start'". Ourstage.com. 2012-01-10. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  19. "Ultimate Music - Jessie Malakouti "White Girl Wasted" (Video Premiere)". Ultimate Music. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  20. "EDEN - Jessie Malakouti". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  21. "Too Cool to Dance – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. July 2, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  22. Eden xo - Too Cool To Dance (Official Homemade GIF Video). 2 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  23. Eden xo - Too Cool To Dance (Lyric Video). 23 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  24. Eden xo - Too Cool To Dance (Audio). 14 August 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  25. "Eden XO Drops Bubbly Video For "Too Cool To Dance": Watch". Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  26. "Millennium Stage: National Dance Day 2014"
  27. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2016-11-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. "Ron Fair Exits Virgin Records". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  29. "Eden xo's 'The Weekend' Remix feat. Lil Jon: Exclusive Premiere - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  30. "Obsev Entertainment – Daily Celebrity News". Obsev. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  31. Eden xo - The Weekend (Lyric Video). 24 March 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  32. https://twitter.com/edenxo/status/59465123930603520%5B%5D
  33. Eden [@edenxo] (3 May 2015). "We are live streaming all night on @periscopeco Here's a sneak peek of my love interest @MattJCutshall 😍" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. Ricky Dillon [@RickyPDillon] (30 April 2015). "OMG how fun! I'm gonna be in @edenxo's music video to "the weekend" 😛" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. Bonnie McKee [@BonnieMcKee] (3 May 2015). "CinderHella fancy tho #Edenxo" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. Eden [@edenxo] (16 July 2015). "Huge announcement! My music video for "The Weekend" is premiering NEXT FRIDAY 7/24 on The Snap Channel on @Snapchat 👻" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. Eden xo - The Weekend (Official Video). 25 July 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  38. Hern, Greg; May 12, ez on; Comments|, 2015 5:02 pm |. "LA Pride 2015: Ty Herndon, Wilson Phillips, Tinashe and Eden xo added to stellar entertainment line-up". Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  39. "Dwyane Wade discovered Dubsmash and then lip-synced songs about the weekend". For The Win. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  40. Eden xo - Hold Me Now (Audio). 18 September 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2016 – via YouTube.
  41. "Ultimate Music - Eden xo "Hold Me Now" (Single Premiere)". Ultimate Music. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  42. ThankYouX [@ThankYouX] (22 September 2015). "My girl @edenxo has a new song in Scream Queens tonight on Fox at 8pm. Don't miss it!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. Edenews [@edenewss] (22 September 2015). "@edenxo girl, I'm buying pizza to celebrate your song on Scream Queens, and you're paying it" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. The Latest NLV Records Release features Swick and Eden xo
  45. "Eden xo commits to neon-tinged love in the trippy music video for 'El Barrio'". Time. 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
  46. http://www.idolator.com/7647175/eden-xo-el-barrio-watch-video
  47. "Eden xo - Shop". Eden xo. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  48. "Eden xo finally hits the spot with The Question • Popjustice". Popjustice. 2019-06-28. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  49. "Dynasty Music | Season 3". The CW Network. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  50. "Music from Siesta Key S3E23". Tunefind. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  51. "Watch Eden Xo's Dreamy, '60s-Inspired Visualizer For 'Paradise Found'". PAPER. 2020-09-04. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5079608/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4507742/?ref_=nv_sr_1
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