[2] Her musical career began in 1992 when she was featured in the Lebanese talent show Studio El Fan; later being awarded the silver medal.

[3] Her second album W'akherta Maak (2000) featured the single "Betghib Betrouh", a duet with Ragheb Alama which achieved commercial success and won accolades.

[5] After signing with Saudi Arabian-based record label Rotana, she released the albums Ahla Dounya (2004), Bastanak (2006), Ayami Bik (2007), Tesada'a Bemeen (2009), Asaad Wahda (2012), Halet Hob (2014), Saharna Ya Leil (2016), Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni (2018) and Sahbit Raey (2020); eventually becoming Rotana's best-selling artist.

[7][8][1] She has additionally garnered over 800 million streams on Anghami, making her the most-streamed female artist on the platform,[9] and over 4.5 billion views on YouTube.

Elissa revealed that she had a difficult childhood due to witnessing frequent disputes between her parents; additionally noting that while her father was a calm person, her mother was stricter and harsh.

[12] In 1989, Elissa began her career when she appeared in theatrical comedy plays written by Lebanese actor Wassim Tabbara (1943–2005), acting and singing professionally under her birth name "Elissar Khoury" from the age of 16.

[18][23] Elissa's musical career began the following year, when she enlisted in the Lebanese talent show Studio El Fan, singing songs such as "In Rah Mennek Ya Ain" by Shadia and later winning the silver medal.

[24] Elissa's debut studio album Baddy Doub, was released in Lebanon in December 1998 by Lido Musique, later given wider distribution in the Arab world by EMI Music Arabia in early 1999.

[28] After renewing her contract with label Music Master, Elissa's third studio album Ayshalak was released on 14 June 2002 to huge commercial success and is known as her breakthrough.

In attendance were Queen Rania of Jordan, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and former United States President Bill Clinton.

[37][38][3] Later in 2002, she collaborated with Irish singer Chris de Burgh in a duet titled "Lebanese Nights", featured on his album Timing is Everything.

A music video, directed by Salim el Turk, was shot in Beirut, Lebanon and Zurich, Switzerland and premiered exclusively on LBC television stations.

[39][40] In January 2003, Elissa attended the grand opening of Kuwait's Virgin Megastore with Sir Richard Branson as well as Kuwaiti band Guitara.

[41] In 2003, Elissa signed with Saudi Arabian entertainment group Rotana, under which she released her fourth studio album, Ahla Dounya the following year on 6 May.

[42] The album spawned the singles "Koul Youm Fee Oumri", "Irjaa Lilshowk" and "Hobak Wajaa (Inta Lameen)".

The tracks "Koul Youm Fee Oumri", "Karibli" and "Law Nirjaa Sawa" were featured in Pepsi advertisements.

Including one of Elissa's bigger hits "Betmoun" as well as "Awakher Al Shita" , "Ayami Bik" and "Khod Balak Alaya".

Tesada'a Bemeen received critical acclaim for its differing and darker themes and stronger vocal delivery throughout the album.

[49] Elissa released her tenth studio album Saharna Ya Leil on 9 September 2016, which included the titular single of the same name, "Maliket El Ehsas" and "Aaks Elli Shayfenha."

[58] "Ana Majnouni" marked the third collaboration with her brother Camil Khoury and amassed more than half a million plays during its first 2 days of release.

[60][61] On 11 July 2018, Elissa released the first lead single titled "Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni" from her eleventh studio album of the same name.

[7] On 10 August 2018, Elissa gave a concert as part of Beirut Holidays Festival 2018; among the attendees was Armenian entertainer Lubluba.

[81] On 22 July, a promotional song for Telecom Egypt's 'WE' mobile service titled "Abl Ay Had" was released and as of August 2019, gained over 15 million views on YouTube.

[87] The album's final song features a French-language cover of "Mourir sur scène" by Egyptian-born Italian-French artist Dalida.

[citation needed] In 2014, Elissa took to social media to condemn the atrocities committed by ISIS against minorities, stating "I'm Lebanese and I'm proudly Christian, shame on such people.

Many applauded her for "breaking the taboo" of breast cancer awareness in the Middle East and therefore influenced and encouraged women to be checked for the disease.

[102] Elissa is a supporter of the Lebanese Forces party and its leader, Samir Geagea, backing him for the presidency before the election of Michel Aoun.