Meet Debbi James | Singer/ Songwriter/ performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Debbi James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Debbi, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
There’s a big difference between chasing something that feeds your soul and forcing something that slowly breaks it.
For me, the answer has always been simple: if the dream still burns inside youeven after rejection, loss, fear, and exhaustion you don’t quit. You adjust. You grow. You fight smarter. But you don’t give up. If the desire disappears and you’re only holding on out of ego, fear, or pride, then maybe it’s time to pivot.
I never continued because it was easy. I continued because I knew deep inside that my story had a purpose.

And here’s mine.

I’m a singer and performer. For the past seven years, I’ve been one of the main vocalists touring the world with Enrique Iglesias, standing on the biggest stages side by side with an artist I grew up admiring and listening to.

But my journey didn’t start there.

I was born to supermodel Nava Halimi and to action film star Steve James, who became an icon in the ’80s through legendary films like American Ninja 1,2,3 Delta Force, Riverband, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, and To Live and Die in L.A, Mask starting singer Cher and many more Those films helped shape the action genre and built strong respect and representation for African American actors in Hollywood.
My father was at the peak of a career he worked so hard for and loved so much when he passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1993. I was only five years old.
Then life hit me again.
In 2005, when I was 16, my mother became very ill. Unfortunately, the pain became too much for her, and she took her own life. Losing both of my parents at such a young age could have easily sent me down a very different path. But it didn’t. I chose to let my pain shape me in a different way and as an only child, I always felt like I had a purpose and a duty to continue the legacy my father left behind.
I felt like I had a story that could reach people’s hearts and maybe help those who went through similar circumstances. Maybe it could help them see the light past the darkness. It would have been so easy for me to go in a different direction in life and some people do but I believed that if they heard my story, maybe it could help someone make it out of the darkness and make the best out of their life.
So I had a goal to reach. And for that, I had to believe in myself deeply in order to make it a reality. As hard, complicated, and difficult as it was, I had no time to give up on myself. If I gave up, none of this would have happened, because no one was going to do the work for me. I had to make others believe in me and you can only do that when you truly believe in yourself.

When I first moved from Israel to Los Angeles in 2006, I couldn’t speak English at all and I always had a love for music and dancing.but it almost felt impossible for me to do because of my language barrier. I remember listening to people talk about how they sang for Jennifer Lopez or danced for Rihanna or usher and I would tell myself, “wow this is a dream i want to do it too. I want to go back to music.” But I felt very insecure about starting a music career, knowing my English wasn’t good I had a very thick Israeli accent and I knew that in order to work in the American entertainment industry, I had to improve my English. So I pretty much taught myself English by working as a waitress in different Israeli restaurants in LA. Just by communicating with people with a very broken English, I slowly learned how to speak the language and gained confidence.
That struggle kept me going. I started learning different slang and words by asking questions about meaning of words and yes it was sometimes difficult and embarrassing to get people reactions on me not knowing basic words o didn’t let it stop me because I had a goal to achieve.

I’ve been passionate about singing and dancing my entire life, and I felt like I was getting caught in a system of “get a job, get married, have kids” the simple path And of course today I do want that, back then in my early twenties, I wasn’t ready. I felt like I had so much more to share with the world, so much more to give. I wanted the world to know my story. Most of all, I wanted to honor my parents and keep my father’s legacy alive.

So giving up was not an option!

And yes, there were moments when I didn’t believe I could do music. But those were the moments I would tell myself, “Debbi, you have to do this. For your parents. For yourself.”

Today, I feel proud that I achieved my dreams. I make a living doing what I love. I stand in sold-out arenas around the world with one of my childhood idols. I traveled the world and I’m living the life I once prayed for. And most of all my father’s legacy is living again with a lot of help and big thanks to Mike Denis and Sam Firstenberg ( director of American Ninja, Riverband, Delta Force and many more) who are now touring all across the U.S. premiering one of my father’s lost film, Riverbend and did such an incredible work on the restoration of this classic film and means more to me than words can describe.
And If you are a Steve James fan and would love to catch the premiere in your city please check
@reelblackrenaissence and @samfirstenberg pages on IG for the next premier location

So how do you know whether to keep going or give up?

You keep going when the dream still excites you, even when it scares you. When the struggle is painful but meaningful. And when you know deep down that quitting would hurt more than failing.
Believing in yourself isn’t just a motivational quote. It’s a daily decision. No one will do the job for you. You have to make others believe in you and that only happens when you believe in yourself first.
It’s never easy.
But when your purpose is stronger than your fear, anything is possible.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been working on a new sound, and I’m almost finished recording my upcoming EP and I couldn’t be more excited about it. This project feels different from anything I’ve done before. It’s a new direction that really highlights my vocals and reflects a sound I feel genuinely connected to.
The vibe is a blend of funk with a touch of Sade, layered with some old-school rock energy. As an ’80s baby, I’m proud to bring that era’s spirit back into my music and it honestly feels like the sound is making its way back around anyway.

I won’t lie finding my sound hasn’t been easy. I’ve explored so many different styles over the years, trying to figure out what truly fits. I love so many genres, which made it hard to narrow it down to one direction. But now, I finally feel like I’m tapping into what I genuinely love. There’s a sense of peace in the music I’m creating that I’ve never felt before.
So im really excited to share this new chapter with you all. I know many of you have been waiting for new music, and I truly hope you connect with this project the way I have.

Big shoutout to Delphi Music for believing in me and helping bring this EP to life. 🎶

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Im such an in-door person I love chilling at home cooking good food watching a good movie waking up early at 6 in the morning so I’m the worst person to ask about the hot spots lol
My friends are usually the ones taking me out and showing me around even when they visiting me
Now if you want a good movie and some homemade food I will definitely take care of you 🫶🏽😂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Huge Shout out to all of my dads friends and film crew and colleagues who helped me reach my goal of keeping my dads legacy and name alive
Producer Sam Firstenberg, Mike Dennis, actors Michael Dudikoff, actor Julius Tennon, actor Alex Morris, actress Judie Aronson and the entire American ninja family and reelblck family

Big shout out to my E.I family Enrique Iglesias, Laura Jones, Gilmar Gomes, Jeff Suburu, Deeflat Major, Andrew wolf, Van Romaine, Richard Maheux, Carlos Paucar
And the entire management and production team

Big shout out to all my friends and family who supported me throughout my journey

And most important all the fans and followers who’s been following me liking my content downloaded my music even when it wasn’t perfect
I’m so grateful to all of you
You didn’t have to stay on my platforms follow me like comment and show support and you mean so much to me because you have a big part also in me not giving up!
Without your love we are nothing 🌺🫶🏽

Website: https://singerdebbijames.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singerdebbijames?igsh=MXQ5b3J4cTh5b2c2Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EDj4xHHq6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Youtube: https://youtu.be/qrWZBrpRqm0?si=bBMD0Q1gHc5Hms6Y

Image Credits
Ella Bar