Style File with Lea Firth

Fashion/Music STYLE FILE

LEA FIRTH, AKA LELE SINGER

BY DUSK DEVI | PHOTOGRAPH: SUPPLIED BY LEA FIRTH

It’s better to have people hate you for being you, than love you for who you’re not.

Lea Firth is an Australia-based singer and performer, from Biak/ Manowari West Papua. Firth is also a “proud mama of three beautiful strong girls” and is expecting a new addition with her husband Mitch Tambo (a well-known pop star and proud First Nations man from the Gamilaraay People of Australia).

When Firth is not singing and performing, she is the Artist Executive/PA for Tambo and the Firth Creative Team. “Mitch and I travel to schools through his initiative ‘Walanbaa’, which is about empowering young people, learning about and engaging with Aboriginal and West Papuan culture. I feel blessed to travel the world singing and sharing stories about my culture, and the story of my people of West Papua.”

Firth was born to music royalty. Her father, August Rumwaropen, was lead vocalist and lead guitarist of the legendary Black Brothers, famed for their reggae political messages protesting Indonesian policies in West Papua.

“They paved the way for many

Melanesian and Pasifika artists today and set up the first recording studio in Vanuatu,” says Firth.

Speaking of recording, she says: “My sound is island vibes and everything in between. I’m so excited this year to be working on my solo project Voice Of Lele. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but would love for you all to follow me on Instagram and TikTok to keep up to date with what I am doing and creating.”

IG: @voiceof_lele

Do you follow the Pacific fashion industry? Do you wear Pacific designs? As a proud woman of the Pacific, I am excited about seeing the next generation coming up, celebrating our cultures through fashion. I always feel so proud when I get asked to wear specific garments from Pasifika designers; in a way this makes me feel that little bit closer to home. How would you describe your personal style? One of my biggest style icons would have to be Mary J. Blige. So I am all about bright, vibrant colours, colourful accessories and makeup. I love denim and leather. Do you dress differently when you are in performance mode? When on stage, I like to always have fun and keep it bright and stylish. My intention is to encourage other sisters to break out and feel free to express themselves in what they want to wear, no matter what their size or age. Has the pandemic slowed you down or created a sense of urgency? The pandemic has impacted the live-music scene greatly in Australia. However, with my husband Mitch and our girls, we have made the most of it and had lots of quality family time. We use virtual media and social media to continue to share music. What motto do you live by? It’s better to have people hate you for being you, than love you for who you’re not. Also ... your children see and hear everything.