Allure magazine published photos of the 72-year-old singer Googoosh with her granddaughter Mia Ghorbani, a 20-year-old model

Googoosh was on tour in Berlin when the protests started in September. By mid-November, she had stopped performing. Googoosh and Mya have been working to help uplift the voices of protesters. In October, they joined thousands of others for a rally in downtown Los Angeles to show support for protesters. Googoosh has spoken at rallies in the past, but this was the first time Mya had joined her. “You are not alone. We are proud of how you are so united,” Googoosh said of the young people leading the protests in . The crowd roared and applauded. “By the hands of our children, our country, will be free.”

The Height of Her Fame in the 1970s

The 1970s were the pinnacle of Googoosh’s career. Her music and fashion choices defined an era, influencing a generation of Iranian women. Her signature short haircut, known as the “Googooshi,” and her stylish miniskirts became symbols of modernity and rebellion in a country on the brink of significant cultural and political change.

Googoosh’s music from this period ranged from upbeat pop songs with a traditional Perian edge to emotional ballads that resonated deeply with her audience. Her voice, often compared to that of Edith Piaf, conveyed a range of emotions that made her songs timeless classics. Hits like “Man Amadeh Am” (I Have Come) and “Hejrat” (Exile) remain popular to this day, cherished by fans both in Iran and abroad.

The Impact of the Iranian Revolution

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 brought about dramatic changes in the country, including a strict ban on female performers. At the time of the revolution, Googoosh was in Los Angeles, but her deep connection to her homeland compelled her to return to Iran. Despite the new restrictions, she chose to remain in Tehran, living a life away from the public eye for over two decades.

During this period, Googoosh’s absence from the stage only served to heighten her mystique. Her music continued to circulate through bootleg recordings, and her influence remained strong. For many Iranians, she was a symbol of the cultural and artistic freedom that had been lost.

January 18, 2023 | 9:47 pm