Maia (Korean: 마이아; Amharic: ማያ) is an Italian-Ethiopian trainee under HIEX Creative.
Early Life[]
Maia de Luca was born on May 16, 2004, in Milan, Italy, to a family that beautifully blended two rich cultures. Her father, an Italian, and her mother, an Ethiopian, created a unique environment that allowed Maia to grow up with a deep appreciation for both Italian and Ethiopian traditions. While she enjoyed the vibrant life in Milan, it was the Ethiopian culture that particularly resonated with her, thanks to the rich heritage and warm traditions she experienced through her mother.
Her mother owned a semi-successful Ethiopian restaurant in Milan, which became a cherished place where Maia and her family celebrated their cultural roots. From a young age, Maia dreamt of taking over the restaurant one day, envisioning herself as the next steward of her family's culinary legacy. The restaurant was not just a business but a symbol of her connection to Ethiopian culture and a source of pride.
However, Maia's life took a dramatic turn at age 17 when attended the 2021 Brit Awards and witnessed a live performance by Little Mix. The concert was a revelation for Maia, igniting a passion for music that she had never experienced before. The energy, talent, and excitement of the performance inspired her to pursue a career in music, leading her to reconsider her future aspirations.
In 2022, at the age of 18, Maia made the decision to follow her newfound dream. She joined HIEX America, an American sub-label of the Korean agency HIEX Creative, to embark on a musical journey that would allow her to explore and share her artistic talents on an international stage. This move marked the beginning of a new chapter in Maia's life, one that blended her cultural heritage with her passion for music.
Career[]
2022-Present: Joining HIEX America, Girl group rumors, Transfer to HIEX Creative, WORLD CLASS[]
In 2022, Maia was announced to be a trainee under HIEX America alongside Caramia Yuan. Not much was heard of the two for quite a while though,
In early 2024, fans discovered that HIEX America planned on debuting their first LA-based girl group through leaks. Rumored members were Maia de Luca, Caramia Yuan, Stella Gómez, Madeline de la Croix, Virginia 'Ginny' Pierce, Tatev Kirakosyan, Mayu Okada. Although Tatev and Mayu were confirmed to not be members as they were still in Korea whilst the others LA.
On July 20, 2024, Maia was announced to be transferring to HIEX Creative, and would be moving to Seoul. Many fans assumed that the girl group was canceled as with Maia no longer under HIEX America, that only left Stella Gómez as a confirmed trainee.
On August 18, 2024, Maia was announced to be participating in the idol survival program, WORLD CLASS, as a part of the G-Class. She was eliminated on November 2, 2024 in the 2nd eliminations, ranking 18th overall.
Filmography[]
Reality shows[]
- WORLD CLASS (HKRT, 2024)
Gallery[]
Promotional[]
Trivia[]
- Role Model: Little Mix
- Nicknames: Mai
- Languages: Italian, Amharic, English, a little Korean
- Her favorite food is sambusa.
- Ethnically, Maia is Italian-Ethiopian.
- Her favorite vacation spot is Switzerland
- Her favorite song is "La Noia" by Angelina Mango.