Kahlia Henao is a singer, rapper and make‑up artist from Western Sydney, Australia. She describes herself as Colombian‑Lebanese, reflecting her family’s Latin American and Middle Eastern heritage. In a 2019 interview with the Western Sydney arts blog Home Is Where the Art Is, the then‑20‑year‑old musician explained that she grew up in Dural, a suburb in Sydney’s Hills District, listening to “old‑school artists like Lauryn Hill, Nas and Foxy Brown”. She dreamed of becoming a singer but felt the music industry was “too saturated” and only turned to rap around 2016 after experimenting with her flow and lyrics. That experimentation led to a distinctive blend of hip‑hop, R&B and soul that would later define her independent releases.
Inspiration and mission
Henao has said that working in a male‑dominated industry inspired her to use hip‑hop to empower other women. In the same 2019 interview she told the blogger Isabella Granero that she hopes to “shift the hip‑hop culture and inspire other girls to express themselves through rap”. She believes there is a lack of exposure for female rappers in Australia, pointing out that the ARIA Awards’ urban category had been dominated by male artists for years. Her long‑term goal is to change Australia’s rap scene while bringing other women along with her.
Career and music releases
Independent singles and collaborations
Henao began releasing music independently in 2018. Her discography blends rap and contemporary R&B and demonstrates her ability to switch between gritty verses and melodic hooks. Confirmed releases include:
- “Got ’em Sayin” (12 March 2018) – Henao’s debut single is a hip‑hop track that introduced her fast‑paced flow.
- “Like Me” (13 June 2018) – Her second single continued in a rap direction.
- “Karma” (6 March 2019) – Released when she was 20, this R&B‑leaning single was described by Henao as a post‑break‑up anthem and marked a shift toward a more soulful sound. The song attracted radio play on Sydney’s The Edge 96.ONE (K‑Sera & The Dirty Dozen).
- “Nice!” (26 February 2020) – A high‑energy hip‑hop track released during the early months of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
- “Beautiful (Remix)” (2020) – Henao featured on Adrian Swish’s remix, adding her verse alongside other artists.
- “Break a Hoe” (23 June 2022) – Her most recent pre‑Idol single returns to braggadocious rap and demonstrates her growing confidence.
- “Valerie (Australian Idol Performance)” (2026) – A live single capturing her audition cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” released after her appearance on Australian Idol.
The 2019 interview notes that “Karma” was her third single and that she released it on 7 March 2019. The blog also indicates that Henao’s friends and family have been “super supportive” of her music career.
Streaming presence and public reception
Although Henao’s discography has only a handful of singles, her music has found a modest audience online. A Spotify analytics site reported that she had 87 monthly listeners and 202 followers in 2025, with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane among her top streaming cities. Her songs are available on major platforms including Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube. She also performed live at local venues, such as a 2019 performance of “Karma” at Sydney nightclub Limited.
Television appearance: Australian Idol 2026
Audition and golden ticket
In late 2025, Henao auditioned for season 11 of Australian Idol, which premiered on 2 February 2026. During audition week (22 February 2026) she performed Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie,” earning a golden ticket to the Top 30 round. Official listings from TV Blackbox and Idolssa.net describe her as a 27‑year‑old singer, rapper and make‑up artist from Western Sydney.
Top 30 week
Henao advanced to the Top 30 but was eliminated during the group challenge in the first part of Top 30 week. The Australian Idol season 11 page confirms that she was eliminated during the first part of the Top 30 round on 23 February 2026. Nevertheless, her audition impressed viewers, and Seven Network released her performance as a single (“Valerie (Australian Idol Performance)”), increasing her visibility.
Personal details and privacy
- Age: Publicly available sources state that Kahlia Henao was 27 years old during Australian Idol 2026. Earlier reporting from 2019 described her as a 20‑year‑old, which is consistent with a birth year around 1998/1999.
- Height: No reliable public sources provide information about her height.
- Family and relationships: Henao has not publicly shared details about her family members or relationship status. Her 2019 interview mentions supportive friends and family but does not name them.
- Net worth: No credible sources estimate her net worth.
- Occupations: Besides music, she works as a make‑up artist and has described herself as a “rapping make‑up artist,” an identity she highlighted during her Idol audition.
Social media and public presence
Henao promotes her music through social media. She uses Instagram (@kahliahenao) for updates and performance clips and has a Facebook page with the tagline “Sydney based singer/rapper.” Her Twitter presence appears minimal; a 2022 account described her as a “Colombian mami” but contained no tweets【862262732636358†L0-L6】. Music videos and audio tracks are available on YouTube (via her Topic channel), and she can be found on Spotify and Apple Music. Because her fame is still emerging, she has relatively small follower numbers but gained wider attention after appearing on Australian Idol 2026.
Public interest & search intent
Since the Australian Idol 2026 season aired, search interest for “Kahlia Henao” has grown. Fans are particularly curious about:
- Her cultural background and age: Many viewers want to know where she’s from and how her Colombian‑Lebanese heritage influences her music. The combination of Latin and Middle Eastern roots, along with an Australian upbringing, contributes to her distinctive style.
- Her original music: Searches for songs like “Karma,” “Nice!” and “Break a Hoe” reflect listeners exploring her catalogue. Streaming statistics show that singles released between 2018 and 2022 remain her most played tracks.
- Her journey on Australian Idol: People look up her audition video, results in the Top 30 round and whether she plans to release new music after the show.
- Future projects: Because Henao is an independent artist, fans want updates on upcoming releases or collaborations.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How old is Kahlia Henao?
Sources from Australian Idol 2026 list her as 27 years old. A 2019 article described her as 20 years old, placing her birth year around 1998/1999.
Where is she from?
Henao is from Western Sydney, Australia, and grew up in the Hills District suburb of Dural. She identifies as Colombian‑Lebanese.
What are Kahlia Henao’s most popular songs?
Her independent singles include “Got ’em Sayin” (2018), “Like Me” (2018), “Karma” (2019), “Nice!” (2020), “Break a Hoe” (2022) and her Australian Idol audition cover “Valerie” (2026). She also appeared on Adrian Swish’s 2020 “Beautiful (Remix)”.
Does Kahlia Henao have an album?
As of 2026, Henao has released singles but no full‑length album. She told Home Is Where the Art Is that she focuses on singles while building her audience.
Is she signed to a record label?
Her singles were released independently and credited to © Kahlia Henao on Apple Music, indicating she is not signed to a major label.
What did she sing on Australian Idol?
During auditions on 22 February 2026 she covered “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse. The performance earned her a golden ticket to the Top 30, and it was later released as a single.
Does she have a boyfriend or husband?
Henao keeps her private life off the internet. There is no reliable public information about her relationship status, so fans should respect her privacy.
What is her net worth?
No credible sources estimate her net worth. As an emerging independent artist, most of her income likely comes from music streams, performances and her work as a make‑up artist.
Conclusion and future outlook
Kahlia Henao brings a unique blend of Colombian, Lebanese and Australian influences to her music. Her early singles displayed rapid‑fire rap skills, while later tracks like “Karma” showed a more soulful and melodic side. Despite limited commercial success, she has carved out a niche among fans of Australian hip‑hop. Her appearance on Australian Idol 2026 broadened her audience and demonstrated her versatility with covers of classic soul music. Although much of her personal life remains private, Henao’s ambition to uplift female voices in hip‑hop and her commitment to independent artistry make her an artist to watch. Fans eager for new music should follow her social media channels and streaming profiles for updates.