In a deep dive into his creative process, Mergui shared the exact moments that inspired his latest track, ‘Alien’
It takes a rare kind of grit to leave your support system behind for a dream; while plenty of people talk about making that move, Mergui is one of the few actually making it happen. Mergui was already a household name in Israel. Navigating the shift from stardom to anonymity in Los Angeles is a major pivot, one that required trading the privileges of a celebrity for the quiet life of a guy just trying to make it in the industry.
“It made me more humble. Not that I wasn’t before, but it’s such a weird and amazing experience,” Mergui says with a laugh. “I feel like Hannah Montana sometimes.”
Moving across the world forced him to find his footing on his own. Yet, there were upsides to being unknown; being able to go to the movies or walk down the street without being stopped for a photo became a welcome luxury.
Mergui recalls having to make big, life-altering decisions as a teenager, which forced him to grow up pretty fast. Luckily, he credits his parents for giving him the tools to succeed. Still, carrying the weight of those career choices can definitely make you feel different from everyone else your age. Suddenly, at just 17, you’re mapping out your entire future, all while trying to figure out who you actually are.
“I couldn’t be naive anymore,” Mergui said. “I didn’t really have the tools at first—or maybe I did, thanks to my parents and the circle that I had and still have. Overall, I’m grateful for it. I am who I am because of that.”
When asked about the inspiration behind his new single ‘Alien,’ Mergui reveals the track started in his notes app. Right after moving to Los Angeles, he typed out: “I feel like an alien.” He explains that while he shared the same hunger for success as everyone else in the city, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider. Navigating those emotions later strengthened his confidence, which naturally translated to his music.
“Being different and being who I am is what makes me unique. It’s my strength, not the opposite,” said Mergui.
Getting to know Mergui was a true privilege. Hearing him open up about the struggles of starting over was incredibly refreshing and a testament to his drive as an artist.
