In her latest career move, she has returned with her infectious track, “Snake,” featuring hitmaker Jason Derulo. Blending East Asian, Indian, and Western pop influences, the single has been a huge success internationally and its visually gorgeous Abderrafia El Abdioui-directed music video, set against Morocco’s breathtaking landscapes, has already racked up over 110 million views.

With “Snake,” Fatehi once again showcases her commitment to pushing creative boundaries and truly solidifies her status as a global powerhouse in music, dance, and entertainment.

In a conversation with Principle, she told us all about her vision for “Snake,” rising to fame in Bollywood as an “outsider,” and how her multilingualism helps her connect with fans on a global scale.

Dress Lily Phellera / Earrings Smiling Rocks

You’ve built a global career spanning music, dance, and acting. You’ve worked in Bollywood, performed at the FIFA World Cup, and collaborated with internationally renowned talent. What has been your most memorable moment so far, would you say?

Oh, it’s so hard to choose just one moment! But if I had to, performing at the FIFA World Cup was definitely one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The energy, the crowd, the global stage—there’s nothing quite like it. It was a dream come true to be part of such a massive event, representing not just myself but also my culture. That was a full circle experience where all my years of hard work, building myself as an artist, came down to one of the biggest opportunities and where I was able to bring all the elements of my artistry in front of the world in the most prestigious way possible! That moment was everything—so surreal, so empowering. Every opportunity I get to connect with people through music and dance feels like a blessing, but the FIFA stage will always hold a special place in my heart.

With Moroccan roots, Canadian upbringing, and a career based predominantly in India, how would you say those different experiences ultimately shaped your identity as an artist?

Being Moroccan by roots, Canadian by upbringing, and working in India, has truly shaped my identity in such a unique way. Growing up with different cultures, I’ve learned to blend the best of all worlds. My Moroccan heritage brings a rich, graceful, traditional sense of rhythm and warmth to my dance and performance! My Canadian upbringing has instilled in me a global perspective and the ability to adapt to different environments. Most of my personality has been shaped by my Canadian upbringing and it helped me navigate the world better! India, with its vibrant cinema, and music culture and language, has taught me the importance of storytelling and emotion in everything I do. All these influences come together to make me who I am today—someone who constantly seeks to evolve, embrace diversity, and stay true to my roots. I feel like I’m a beautiful fusion of all my experiences, and I bring that authenticity to every performance. This is what makes me unique and relatable!

Dress Azzi & Osta / Shoes Casadei / Earrings Anayah Jewellery

Speaking of that, as someone who wasn’t brought up in India but has had huge success in the Bollywood industry, what challenges did you face initially and what kept you going? 

When I first came to India, it wasn’t easy. I didn’t know the language, I didn’t have any connections, and I had to start from scratch. But I’ve always believed in the power of hard work, determination, and staying true to myself. The initial challenges were tough—especially in an industry as competitive as Bollywood—but I never gave up. I trained tirelessly in dance, acting, learned the language, and just kept pushing forward. I never took no for an answer! I think what kept me going was my passion for performance and the love I have for creating something beautiful. I wanted to do something that no one has ever done. I wanted to break stereotypes and prove everyone wrong! There were moments of doubt of course, but every time I faced a setback, I reminded myself that perseverance and resilience are key. And today, I’m extremely proud of my journey. It’s been all about staying focused, learning, evolving and never compromising on my dreams. I always believed that this would be a chapter of my story, which would help me move into the global stage one day! My experiences in India allowed me to become even more multicultural and it allowed me to connect to over billions of people who I would have never imagined would have such a deep connection to me and who I am today!

Do you see yourself exploring Hollywood or other international film/music markets in the future? 

Absolutely! I’m always open to new opportunities and challenges, and exploring Hollywood or other international markets is definitely something I’d love to do in the future. My journey has been all about breaking boundaries, so why not take that to a global stage? I always believed My story doesn’t begin and end in Bollywood! I’ve also always believed that talent knows no borders, and there’s so much to learn and experience from different cultures and industries. If the right opportunity comes along, I’d definitely be excited to collaborate with international artists as I’ve been doing, explore new genres, and continue pushing myself as an artist. I believe it’s time for someone from this part of the world to make their place felt on the global stage of entertainment! This will be another chapter in my journey! And my hope would be to bring my three worlds together to represent globally even further than I have already! This is just the beginning for me. I made the impossible happen once already!

Dress Galvan / Earrings and Choker Giovanni Raspini

Let’s speak about your brand new single “Snake,” featuring Jason Derulo. It obviously blends multiple musical influences. Can you talk us through the creative process? 

Ah, “Snake”! It’s such an exciting project for me. Working with Jason Derulo was an absolute dream—he’s an incredible artist and so much fun to collaborate with. The creative process behind “Snake” was all about blending different musical influences—a fusion of Bollywood touches, Middle Eastern sounds, and urban pop. We wanted to create something that’s not only catchy and exotic but also makes you feel the energy and vibe from different cultures.

We spent a lot of time with Tommy Brown, the producer, and his team, experimenting with the beats and melodies to find that perfect balance for a global track! The idea was to create something that would make people want to dance, yet still have a unique sound with my identity! Jason’s creativity brought such a fresh edge to it, and we had a blast bringing it all together. The video, too, has this magical, sensual vibe, and it complements the song perfectly. I’m very proud of the level of the music video and how cinematic it is! I’m also very proud of how we focused on the art of dance which I feel isn’t much of a priority in the entertainment world like it used to be! I’m really excited that people love the song and the music video — it’s a track that’s all about dance, confidence, and femininity!

You are saying “Snake” has been a dream project of yours – can you elaborate? Jason Derulo described you as someone who loves pushing creative boundaries. How did your artistic visions align during this collaboration, and how did you know Jason Derulo was the right fit for the collaboration in the first place?

Yes, “Snake” has definitely been a dream project for me! The vision for the song was to push boundaries, not just musically, but also visually. I’ve always loved blending different styles, cultures, and sounds to create something new, and “Snake” was the perfect opportunity to do that. The idea of working with Jason Derulo felt like the stars aligning—his style, energy, and creativity are so in sync with the kind of music and vibe I wanted for this track. He definitely matches my energy and that’s what I’ve always wanted from an artist while collaborating! I think it’s very crucial.

When we first discussed the project, we both knew we wanted to break away from the conventional and create something bold and different. Jason is such an incredible artist who’s known for his versatility, so I knew he would bring that unique touch to “Snake.” From the moment we started working together, I could feel that magic—his openness to trying new things, his passion, and his drive. We both wanted to make a statement with this song and give people something they wouldn’t expect.

I knew he was the right fit because he shares the same fearless approach to creativity that I do. We both love pushing limits and stepping outside of our comfort zones. With “Snake,” we’ve created something that’s fun, empowering, and unforgettable—exactly what we wanted to bring to the world!

Dress Galvan / Bangles and Earrings Dinosaur Designs

Let’s talk about the music video, it looks like such a vibe. What was the whole filming process like in Morocco, and were there some memorable BTS moments?

Well, the “Snake” music video in Morocco was such an incredible experience! This is my second time shooting a music video in Morocco. Last year I shot my single “Nora” there which was an unforgettable experience! This time shooting there was like a dream come true for me—it felt so special to film in my home country, surrounded by the beautiful landscapes and the rich culture. The energy on set was electric, my director Abderaffia and his entire team were so passionate about bringing the vision to life. Morocco’s stunning scenery, from the desert to the vibrant streets, was the perfect backdrop for the exotic vibe of the song.

As for the behind-the-scenes moments, there were so many fun memories. Jason and I had a blast on set—whether it was laughing between takes or just vibing to the music. One of the most memorable moments was shooting the dance sequences. The choreography was intense, but the whole team really pulled together, and the chemistry we had brought everything to life. Of course, there were some crazy moments too—like filming in the cold for over 14/15 hours each day, but we powered through it, and it made the final result even more rewarding.

It was truly a team effort, and I’m so proud of how everything came together. The video captures the energy, the passion, and the unique spirit of the song! I’m just grateful that the world is celebrating the video, the visuals, and dancing to the song all over social media!

Dress Azzi & Osta / Shoes Casadei / Earrings Anayah Jewellery

Evidently, you are a very skilled dancer too and it has obviously been a major part of your career. What does dance mean to you on a personal level, and how has your style evolved over the years?

Dance is everything to me—it’s my soul, my form of expression, and the language through which I connect with the world. It has been my passion since I was young, and over the years, it’s become an integral part of my identity. For me, dance is not just about movement; it’s about telling a story, connecting with emotions, and creating a space where I can fully be myself. It’s my escape and my way of bringing joy to others.

Over the years, my style has evolved naturally as I’ve had the chance to explore different genres and learn from diverse cultures. As an untrained dancer, I started with traditional forms, whatever belly dance I can learn from watching my environment! Then moved into hip-hop, Afro, commercial, and Bollywood styles. I’ve always loved blending these styles and making them my own, whether it’s bringing in some North African influences or experimenting with the latest trends. I’ve also learned to focus more on the emotions and energy behind each movement, rather than just the technique. For me, dance is as much about feeling as it is about precision. I’ve used dance to evolve my performance level on stage and it has helped me open many doors in my career as an artist from acting to singing! 

The journey has been one of constant growth and learning. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the best choreographers, and every new project teaches me something new. But at its core, dance is still about freedom and individuality —it’s about expressing what words can’t, and that’s something that will always remain a huge part of me.

I would love to chat about your multilingualism – you speak an impressive amount of languages! Did you find it helped you get closer to a more international crowd?

Thank you! Yes, being multilingual has definitely helped me connect with a more international audience. Growing up, I was exposed to different languages, and I’ve always believed that language is a bridge—it connects people and creates a deeper understanding. Speaking multiple languages has allowed me to engage with millions of fans from various cultures, whether it’s Hindi for Bollywood, Arabic for the Middle East, Darija for my Moroccan world, or even a bit of French and English when I’m working internationally.

I’ve realized that when you speak someone’s language—whether it’s through words, music, or dance—it creates a special bond. It’s such a beautiful feeling when I perform or interact with people and they see that I understand their culture and language. It’s made my journey so much more fulfilling because I’ve been able to connect with people on a much deeper level. Music and dance have no barriers, but knowing the language adds that personal touch that makes the experience even more memorable for me and for my audience.

Dress Lily Phellera / Earrings Smiling Rocks

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who want to follow in your footsteps and build a global career?

To aspiring artists, my biggest piece of advice would be to never stop believing in yourself, no matter how difficult the journey gets. The path to success is never easy, and it often comes with setbacks, challenges, and moments of doubt. And did I mention, lots and lots of rejection! But what matters most is your determination and passion. Stay true to who you are and don’t be afraid to take risks. Push yourself beyond your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities—whether that’s exploring different genres, learning new languages, or collaborating with people from different cultures.

Also, remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s all about hard work, consistency, and patience. Trust the process and keep learning—every experience, whether good or bad, will teach you something valuable. Surround yourself with people who support and believe in you, and never compromise on your dreams. And finally, always stay humble and grounded. Global success is not just about talent; it’s about resilience, discipline, and staying authentic to your art and, of course, yourself!

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