Palestinian-Chilean Pop Star Elyanna Performs in Keffiyeh on Colbert’s Late Show

Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna performed on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Wednesday while donning a keffiyeh, a scarf that has become synonymous with support for Palestinians.

The performance being hosted by Stephen Colbert, who has been a strong supporter of President Joe Biden’s administration, is notable. Before the performance, Colbert interviewed former Biden spokesperson turned MSNBC host Jen Psaki, who praised Biden’s decision to threaten to halt arms deliveries to Israel and even said that kind of leverage should have been used earlier.

It was the first U.S. television performance for Elyanna, whose full name is Elian Marjieh. She sang a medley of songs, Callin’ U (Tamally Maak) and Mama Eh, the latter of which was “the first song to be performed entirely in Arabic on The Late Show,” according to The Late Show’s YouTube page.

The 22-year old, who was born in Nazareth, began her set in English. When she transitioned to the second song, which was in Arabic, her backup singer presented her with the keffiyeh, which she tied around her head before strutting toward the camera.

At the end of her performance, Stephen Colbert held up Elyanna’s debut album Woledto, which translates to “I am born,” before wishing the audience a good night.

Pitchfork described the album as blending “elements of Arab pop, R&B, EDM, and jazz into an energizing new sound with deep respect for tradition.” Reporter Boutayna Chokrane wrote:

Elyanna has downplayed the political undertones in her music, but Woledto represents her most socially charged project yet. Across the album, subtle yet poignant references to identity, displacement, and cultural resilience underscore her sorrow and ferocity.

Elyanna was named one of Rolling Stone’s “Future 25” last year. The magazine wrote:

Her Latina and Palestinian heritage inspired the album, which includes a song alongside her grandfather, a Zajal singer and poet. “How beautiful it is to combine traditions and culture with the modern world,” she says. “There are so many elements of my home Nazareth, Palestine, that represent me as an artist and are part of me showing through in my music, shows and fashion sense.”

Elyanna made history in April by becoming the first artist to perform an entire set in Arabic at this year’s Coachella.

Watch the clip above via YouTube.

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