Nâdiya, born Nadia Zighem, (in Tours, France, June 19, 1973) is a French singer.

Biography

Nâdiya was originally from an Algerian family and had many brothers and sisters. In 1989 she became the French champion of the 800 metres (her brother Kader was also champion of the world in French boxing).

When she was 20, she left her family and her athletics to move to Paris and take her chances there. She was first noticed on the show Graine de Star and recorded a single in 1997 which did not suit her very well. She decided to stop and have a child: Yanis.

She then performed a duo with Stomy Bugsy in 2001 under the title Aucun Dieu ne pourra me pardonner (No god is able to forgive me). The single J'ai confiance en toi (I trust you) was followed by the album Changer les choses (Change the things). She was nominated for the Victoires de la musique in 2002.

She returned in 2004 with another French album, 16/9, that contained many hits (Parle-Moi, Et C'est Parti, Si Loin de Vous). Her 5-year-old son accompanied her on several songs on this album (Quand vient la nuit etc).

According to her official website, she has sold over 1,5 million album copies, 750,000 singles and 300,000 copies of her "L'histoire en 16/9" ("The history of 16/9") DVD (all in France), which features the 3 music video's (to Parle-Moi, Et C'est Parti and Si Loin de Vous), the making of the video's, interviews, photo's and a bonus cd with remixed songs.