Songwriter, singer, and an advocate for body positivity and women empowerment, Adi Yacobi shares her trajectory and how music changed her life. She uses her psychology and sociology background to understand not just her own feelings, but also to understand and help her listeners create a better reality. Everyone has a story or something related to their bodies and appearance that they want to change. Still, Adi comes with a message, "I'm Special", which reminds all women that they are “special, unique, beautiful, and gorgeous naturally — just the way they are”. Please, continue reading to learn more about Adi, her music, her projects, and how she has contributed to the world and community with the #WEMproject, Plastic Free Israel, and 4Ocean.

Where are you based?
I'm based in Israel.

How did you get interested in music?
My parents immigrated to Israel from Italy and Georgia, so I grew up with great music and delicious food. I used to wake up with loud classical music and operas (I guess the rest of the neighborhood woke up with me too, lol). This multiculturalism environment opened my heart to different cultures and created an ability to communicate with others without the need to know their language, but using a universal language — music. As a child and teenager, I always loved analyzing the production of songs — listening to all the layers of the songs I loved, trying to understand which tunes made me feel butterflies and why. I started piano classes at the age of five. When I started classical vocal lessons at the age of eight, I sensed that this was what I wanted to do in life — be a singer and songwriter.

You have a background in Psychology and Sociology. How does this impact your artistic career?
It has had an enormous impact on my music and mission as an artist. In my BA in Psychology and Sociology, I had the opportunity to better understand myself and other people on a deeper level. When I write lyrics to my songs, I first write from my own experiences, so all the emotions come to life on paper, and then I always think about how these words can create a better reality for my listeners. I am thankful that I can share challenging social issues such as body positivity, diversity, inclusion of people with disabilities, how to overcome an emotionally abusive relationship, and more through my music and videos. I am currently working on my EP that will challenge more social topics with the aim of creating a positive change for women.

How would you describe your music style?
Pop influenced by different cultures. Throughout my life, I have listened to different genres and music from various cultures. I love listening to Indian, Italian, Israeli, American, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese songs, and more. At the age of eight, I started classical vocal classes and sang in an Israeli classical choir. Later in life, I also sang Jazz standards which was a really fun and freeing period. Singing in different genres, widened my "palette" of notes and rhythms when composing my music.

In these songs, I had the privilege to work with two famous Israeli music producers Avi Toledano and Michael Hershlikevitch, who did a fantastic job.

Jejune loves "I'm Special" — the lyrics and the video. Can you tell us a little bit more about the song and what inspired you to create it?
I wrote "I'm Special" from a personal experience. I remember that one of the things that really bothered me throughout my life was why beauty standards try to create one type of ideal beauty? Such as being thin, having big lips, straight hair, tall, not having body hair, specific skin tone, etc. Every woman is special and unique just the way she is — a divine creation. So, why are we celebrating only one type of "beauty" and minimalizing the beauty of diversity?! The song "I'm Special" reminds all women that they are special, unique, beautiful, and gorgeous naturally — just the way they are.

Everyone seems to have something to say about women's appearances. How do you feel about societal body standards? How do you feel women can own their own?
I have experienced from an early age the cruelty of body standards. I am hairy. I was laughed at and humiliated in front of the whole class of my school many times by different girls and guys. When I was 12, I asked my mother to help me find a solution to stop the humiliation. She obviously didn't want me to start hair removal at such an early age, especially when she is - herself - a body-positive person. But back then, the conversation about body positivity did not exist - and I didn't have the tools to stand up and ignore them. Hair became an enemy, and later in life, it made me avoid sometimes dating. Now I am in a self-acceptance process, though I admit sometimes it's not easy (because of the humiliating experiences). Lately, I have shared a post on Facebook about my experience, and I found out that the situation is even worse nowadays. Mothers of girls said that their girls, five and seven years old (!!!?) asked to remove their body hair — I was shocked. Another mother shared that her daughter was laughed at and humiliated on Instagram and other social platforms — horrible. This is just one example, but girls and women experience that on a daily basis about their shape of hair, skin tone, the color of hair, body shape, size, and more. From my personal experience, the best solution is to teach girls and women tools for life that would help them overcome any insulting phrase they encounter.

You have a really amazing cast of women in your music video. Can you tell us a little bit about the creation of this music video and the casting?
Definitely! I had the honor to have these special, inspiring, intelligent, and gorgeous women in the music video of "I'm Special." Creating the music video was a bit challenging, and it took a lot of time because we wanted to tell the stories of so many women in such a short time (Moran Kariv, the director, and Yuval Yosha, the editor, did a great job). It was not easy to find these special women and coordinate the date of the shooting day. I still remember how excited I was when they entered the studio (I almost cried lol), I was like "OMG! They are amazing, and this is really happening! After this experience, my wish for HR managers in all industries is to create a space of diversity and inclusion for people with disabilities. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to be who they are.

“I'm Special” Cover Image - Credit: Or Danon

Your song "It's All For The Better" has a very encouraging message — finding and being here for ourselves! What's the backstory of this song?
I have been in an emotionally abusive relationship. It took me a long time to digest what I had experienced and realize how much pain it caused me. I was very sad and upset that I didn't value myself more. I basically had two options, continue to be a "victim" of that person or become stronger — showing myself I can do it in my way. I chose the second option — becoming stronger. I wanted to heal, and writing music was my therapy. I wrote this song very quickly, and I immediately had in my mind the story I wanted to tell in the music video. All the scenes in the video are based on real moments and the feelings I had while being in that relationship and during the healing process — realizing that it's all for the better.

Abusive relationships have seen an uptick with the pandemic. Do you have any advice for someone currently struggling inside one?
First of all, I want to send a big hug to anyone experiencing emotional abuse in a relationship — you are not alone! You are stronger than you think.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of women who are in emotionally abusive relationships, and they don't know that. If a woman feels that she is not safe with her partner, she is being manipulated and controlled... if the partner denies that an event took place or lies about it. If your partner punishes you with the "silent treatment", etc... I highly suggest going to your therapist or calling anonymously an organization/ center/ shelter that helps women get out of an emotionally abusive relationship (every country has different organizations, check them out). There are cases where it is complicated to get out of such a relationship because of a possible violent reaction from the partner. In these cases, these organizations can help you make a "smart" plan to get out safely. Remember to choose yourself — you matter.

The video for "It's All For The Better" is beautifully done. What made you decide to animate this one?
Thank you! I'm happy to know you like it. While writing the script of the music video, I understood that in order to share with my audience certain emotions, the video had to be done with animation. I had the privilege of working with the talented Israeli animator Hadas Sadeh. I loved working with her because she could understand what I felt as a woman, and she animated it beautifully. I had the honor of directing this video (the first music video I directed), so it was also a way to heal and give my experience a new and positive meaning.

What do you hope your fans get from these two songs?
I hope that these songs will lift their days when they need a reminder of how extraordinary they are. :) I wish that these songs, and the next to come, will empower them in having the confidence to go after their own dreams. As the chorus of "I'm Special" says, "I know what I can do and how far I'll go — cos I'm myself, I'm Special" - I believe in you - dream big!

You've been an advocate for women and started #WEMproject - The Women Empowerment Music Project. Can you tell us a bit about this project and what inspired it?
Yes, I speak about women's empowerment at conferences and in front of the youth. I have created the Women Empowerment Music Project (#WEMproject) to create a better reality for all of us, raise awareness about the struggles that women experience daily, and share the voices of women who are usually untold. The #WEMproject is about body positivity, diversity, inclusion of people with disabilities, how to overcome an emotionally abusive relationship, and other social issues that concern women. The next songs of the #WEMproject will discuss more controversial topics.

You have a survey that people can fill out online in connection to the #WEMproject. Can you tell us a little bit about this and its purpose?
Yes, I have created a Body Positive Survey for people to share their experiences about their bodies (anonymously). And become part of a global change of body positivity — accepting ourselves so that our next generation lives happier and feels comfortable in their own homes — bodies. Your answers will be shared on my social media profiles and newsletter.

We've learned that you are also living a plastic-free life right now. Could you tell us more about it and how this has changed your life perspective?
At my day job, I use a beautiful (New York City) mug for my coffee and tea, and I have a glass bottle of water. I bring from home my lunch in some cute boxes (I love it). In addition, when we go to the supermarket, we use reusable bags that are always with us in the car. I don't buy new clothes every season because the fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of humanity's carbon emissions — more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined, according to data from the UN Environment Programme. There are many ways you can contribute to making a plastic-free world.

Jejune is aware of your work with Free Plastic Israel and 4Ocean. How did you get involved with these projects, and how do they work?
I started volunteering with Plastic Free Israel and 4Ocean almost three years ago. They do beach clean-ups with a great and fun vibe once in a while. I am thankful for getting to know wonderful and inspiring people, and cleaning our biggest home — earth. Every time we do beach clean-ups, I am surprised again and again by the amount of plastic and garbage on the beach and in the sea — it's horrible. I must say, we are terrible neighbors of the animals above and under the sea. I know we all can do better, even if in small steps.

How would you encourage others to go plastic-free?
Do what you can to make a positive change. Start by joining a Facebook group of zero plastic/plastic-free, where you can learn how other people live their lives without plastic or how they have reduced plastic usage. Then, you can challenge yourself and make a small change in your "plastic habits." Volunteering is another way to make a real change and reconnect with mother nature. If you live outside Israel, you can check out 4Ocean and ask how you can be part of their beach clean-ups. If you live in Israel, come join us :)

How are you staying positive during a shelter in place? Are you back to normal?
I think that the pandemic has positive and negative aspects. My heart goes to all the people who lost their loved ones during the pandemic, and those who are still suffering; we are all in this together. But I think that the situation that we have been forced to live in had some positive aspects. One of them was the globalization of the world, and the infinite opportunities we had been given to grow and meet new people from all over the world. I can say that from my own experience during the pandemic. I had the chance to be part of webinars and music industry conferences that I would have dreamed of participating in before the pandemic. I had the opportunity to learn and listen to so many leaders in the industry — they were really nice in helping. I always try to see the opportunities in every situation. We are always given the chance to grow and learn from every situation, even when everything seems hopeless — choose to wear rose-colored glasses.

What's your motto in life?
That's tricky because I love listening to motivational speakers, reading motivational books and quotes. But I think that the quote that is always relevant for me, and that I even have on my WhatsApp, is "Don't lose hope, you never know what tomorrow will bring."

To learn more about Adi Yacobi, please follow her via the platforms below:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube Channel
Spotify

Adi Yacobi Reminds Women How Special They Are!