Brief bio:

ZØYA is a fierce indie singer-songwriter known for her raspy, emotionally charged vocals and commanding stage presence. Her music—born from personal struggle and faith—delivers unfiltered honesty and empowering messages that connect deeply with audiences. Her breakout single “So Far Away” exploded on TikTok with over 170K video creations and secured high-profile campaigns with Jay Shetty, Dove, and Benefit Cosmetics. ZØYA advanced through the judges’ round on American Idol Season 16, was a Semi-Finalist in the 2016 Unsigned Only Music Competition (Vocal Performance category) for her self-penned anthem “I Still Believe,” and earned a Semi-Finalist spot in the prestigious 2025 American Songwriter competition. With critically acclaimed EPs "Veracious Heart" and "Journey", plus a string of powerful singles, she has sold out shows across the U.S. and U.K., including London, NYC, and Los Angeles, and shared festival stages with major acts like DNCE and Third Eye Blind. Her music streams on 300+ college radio stations worldwide and has earned the endorsement of industry tastemakers such as R3HAB. More than an artist, ZØYA is a passionate advocate for mental health and personal empowerment, using her voice to spark change, spread love, and unite communities through the transformative power of music.

 
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ZØYA (also known as Zoya Naumchik) was born in Pinsk, Belarus. She grew up in Columbus, Ohio after immigrating to the United States at the age of 11. She was raised in a Christian household. She grew up listening to inspirational, worship, gospel, and jazz music cassettes and CDs. ZØYA began writing songs and poems at the age 6. She trained at the Columbus International Children’s Choir Academy. ZØYA was also classically trained on the piano. At 13, she recorded her worship music album called Shalom at her local church. She also wrote her first ballad at 13. At 15, she recorded her second album, Gratitude, in the Columbus Musicol Studio. Both albums are covers of Russian worship songs but injected with ZØYA’s authentic performance and delivery. Her cover of the Russian song 'Mama, Milaya Mama' has reached over 165,000 organic views on YouTube. ZØYA has played for fans in Ohio, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Washington D.C. She also performed in Canada and Belarus. In 2014, ZØYA traveled to Minsk, Belarus to record and perform her new music. She also recorded singles such as "No Need to Worry" and "God is God" at the Studio Nerv-Records while she was there. Both singles were released independently in mid-August the same year on iTunes, Spotify, Jango Radio, CD Baby and other digital music stores. In November 2014, 'No Need to Worry' was heard by thousands in Ufa, Russia since it was played on the radio inside of the city’s luxurious coffee shops. Her second Russian power ballad single 'God is God' took over the Russian Christian social media right after its release. 

On April 7, 2017, ZØYA released her debut EP called 'Veracious Heart', which includes the songs “I Still Believe” and “Chaos in My Head”. She wrote the lyrics and music for the songs on the EP, as well as co-produced it. ZØYA wrote many of her songs about the struggles that she went through while she was a teenager. “I Still Believe” highlights the importance of faith and encourages everyone to keep their faith through every circumstance in life. She managed to kick off the 'Veracious Heart Tour' independently in May same year in the support of her new EP.

Her single "I Still Believe" was streamed on 300+ college radio stations in United States as well as local radio stations in US, UK and Russia. In addition, "I Still Believe" was placed as a Semi-Finalist in the 2016 "Unsigned Only" Music Competition (Vocal Performance category). 

 

ZØYA's first headlining tour in the support of her EP consisted of multiple Los Angeles shows as well as a few festivals in Columbus, Ohio such as Fashion Meets Music Festival (which saw around 150,000 attendees in previous years) alongside with DNCE, Third Eye Blind, Tegan & Sara and Fetty Wap.

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In 2019, ZØYA's single “So Far Away” got picked up by TikTok. To this day, it has more than 160K organic video creates on TikTok, more than 5K video reels published on Instagram. It was also licensed and used by the major beauty brands like Dove and Benefit Cosmetics. “So Far Away" has been used on their various advertisements, marketing projects and TV commercials.

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In 2020, she released her second EP ‘Journey’ independently, receiving thousands of organic plays on Spotify and YouTube. The remix to her single "Outrageous” received support from R3HAB and other electronic & pop artists.

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In 2023, ZØYA headlined her second tour which consisted of 17 shows total in the United States as well as the United Kingdom, including sold out shows in London, UK, New York City, Los Angeles, and Columbus, OH.

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In addition, ZØYA is also passionate and outspoken about social issues such as immigration, human trafficking, education, poverty and children. She also volunteered for the non-profits such as Fight For Children Foundation, Bonner Scholars Program and City of Athens, WV and interned at the U.S. House of Representatives for the Speaker of the House. ZØYA is a practicing Christian. Faith plays an important part in her singing and songwriting, though she does not consider herself a part of the Christian music genre. Her main goal is to, "share my story with Everyone, give encouragement through music and dynamic live shows, and most importantly, spread the message of love, hope and self-empowerment."