Bülent Ersoy in Istanbul

Bülent Ersoy is a Turkish singer born in Istanbul in 1952, known for her powerful interpretations of Turkish classical and art music. Known in Turkey as “Diva,” she has built a repertoire that also reaches into arabesk and pop, including songs such as “Beddua,” “Sefam Olsun” and “Maazallah.” Early in her career, she performed at Maksim Gazinosu, part of the nightclub tradition that shaped Turkish popular entertainment. Authorities barred her from performing in 1981, interrupting her stage career for several years. The ban was lifted in 1988, allowing Bülent Ersoy to return to Turkish stages.