( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) Newlywed Singer/Songwriter Alexi Paraschos Uses Music Video to Spread Inspirational Message
ENSPIRE Contributor: Lucas Raskin
Wedding plans for couples around the world have been rattled by the onset of COVID-19. Award-winning singer and songwriter, Alexi Paraschos collaborated with couples across the globe to make a virtual wedding-themed music video for his single, “Mine.” In addition to brightening the weddings of 30+ couples, Alexi donated $2 per couple to Feeding America, totaling 1,000 meals.
Paraschos, originally from Newton, MA, started his musical career at a young age, playing guitar at age seven. His unique blend of pop and soul comes across in his two full albums, “Something Greater” (2014) and “25/8” (2018). In 2018, he went on a ten-city East Coast Diner Tour to promote “25/8,” which won Best Song at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Awards. He was planning to release his album “Love Odyssey” during the summer of 2020 but is instead using the pandemic to develop album materials such as promotional plans, graphics, and music videos that will feature Jadakiss and Chrisette Michele.
Paraschos was planning to marry his now-wife, Chelsea, on July 11th, but like most of the couples all around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into his plans. Chelsea is the Assistant Director of Academic Support in the Athletic Department at Drexel University. At first, they rescheduled their wedding to September, but when it was canceled, they had a self-uniting ceremony with only four friends in a Philadelphia park. “The love and joy of the couple are what is most important. While it was not what we were planning, we were definitely still able to feel the happiness of being joined in marriage, and it was definitely a ceremony we’ll never forget!”
Paraschos’ situation inspired him to reach out to other couples that were live-streaming their wedding, to make virtual weddings the theme for his music video, “Mine.” He searched hashtags like #covidwedding, #zoomwedding and #virtualwedding while connecting with over 30 couples across four continents, all with the same shared experience. “I am grateful for their trust in me to share their joy with the world during these uncertain times, and I hope the video can continue to spread that joy around the world.” To view the video, which premiered on PhillyMag on August 10th, click here.
Paraschos’ upbeat video is inspirational for everyone working through the pandemic. He overcame adversity and sacrifice to make his wedding work out, as well as transformed his moment into an opportunity to help others globally. To stay up to date with new releases and check out the rest of his work, please visit his website.
