Stephanie Nonoshita Topalian (born August 5, 1987), known simply as , is an American-born singer and actress of Armenian and Japanese descent who is signed with SME Records Japan, which is a part of Sony Music. She released two albums: her self-titled debut in 2008 and Colors of my Voice in 2009. She has won the Japanese Music Awards in 2007. A number of her songs have been featured in several Japanese films. She had roles in a few Japanese films, notably Pride and Tokyo Tribe. In 2015, she represented Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 as a member of Armenian super group project Genealogy with the song "Face the Shadow".

Career She began singing at a young age. At age 13, she moved to Japan with her family. At 14, Stephanie sent an audio demo tape of her singing to various music productions, and received a response from a Japanese music producer Joe Rinoie. Rinoie was impressed with her singing, and at the age of 19 Stephanie made her major debut in Japan from SME Records (Sony). She achieved the "Best New Artist Award" at the prestigious 49th Japan Record Awards in 2007 and afterwards released two albums.

Her debut single "Kimiga Iru Kagiri" and the follow-up single "Because of You" became the ending themes of the anime Kiss Dum. Her fifth single, “Changin", was also featured as the last ending theme of the anime D.Gray-man. In early 2008, her single "Friends" became the second ending theme for the anime Gundam 00. The song appeared in the Top 10 of Japanese Oricon charts.

As an actress Stephanie debuted in the film Pride in 2009, based on Yukari Ichijo's shōjo comic. She portrayed the protagonist Shio Asami and took part in the film's theme song, "Pride ~A Part of Me~" that featured SRM. Aside from Pride, Stephanie also starred in 2009 in the short film It's All Good which was fully scripted in English. She was cast in 2014 to be in Tokyo Tribe and a short film.

Eurovision

In February 2015 she was announced as a member of the music group Genealogy (made up of singers from Armenia and the Armenian diaspora) that represented Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. Stephanie Topalian represents the Asian continent in the formation whereas the Ethiopian Vahe Tilbian represents Africa, the American Tamar Kaprelian the American continent, the French Essaï Altounian the European continent, Australian Mary-Jean O'Doherty Basmadjian Oceania and Inga Arshakyan Armenia. The group sang "Face the Shadow" at the contest in Vienna, Austria. She then became an Armenian citizen along with the other members of Genealogy on April 28, 2015, after being given Armenian passports by President Serzh Sargsyan.

Discography

Studio albums

+ List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak positionsJPNOricon Released: March 5, 2008 Label: SME Records Formats: CD, CD/DVD, digital download 25 Colors of My Voice Released: June 17, 2009 Label: SME Records Formats: CD, CD/DVD, digital download 102"—" denotes items which did not chart, or were released before the creation of a chart.

Singles

As a lead artist

+ List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumJPNOriconJPNHot 100 2007 36 — Stephanie "Because of You" 50 — "Winter Gold" 80 — 2008 8 7RIAJ (digital): Gold "Changin’" 50 — Colors of My Voice "Pride (A Part of Me)" 2009 82 63 "Future" 155 — 2012 — — rowspan="3" — — "Precious Love" — —"—" denotes items that did not chart, or were released before the creation of the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in 2008.

As a featured artist

+ List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Album ICE "Face the Shadow" 2015 47 rowspan="2" "The Otherside"Wiwibloggs: Tamar Kaprelian releases ESC collaboration "The Otherside"iTunes: "The Otherside" —"—" denotes items that did not chart.

Promotional singles

+ List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumJPNHot 100 "Beyond Myself" 2008 76 Stephanie

Guest appearances

Title Year Other artists Album "Twister (Kingdom Mix)" 2012 Takeharu Ishimoto Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance Original Soundtrack "Someday (Kingdom Mix)" "Jump Over Yourself (Papapayapa)" 2013 Takeharu Ishimoto Subarashiki Kono Sekai Crossover: Tribute "Calling (Kingdom Mix) (Live Ver.)" Takeharu Ishimoto, The Death March "Chase"2021Takeharu IshimotoNeo: The World Ends with You Original Soundtrack "Rockin' Rockin'" "Scramble" "Divide" "Jump Over Yourself" "Last Call" "Little Things"

Notes

References

Further reading

Stephanie- Armenian Pulse Radio & Entertainment Stephanie Topalian (ステファニー)

External links archive