Zarah Maillard (born in Manila, Philippines) professionally known as Zarah is an American singer, songwriter, writer, television personality, and producer. Zarah wrote her first murder mystery novel Diamonds are For Cocktails (2022) based in the French Riviera and published in October 2022.
Her earlier work includes performing with the rock band Goo Goo Dolls as a musician. She later hosted the music-based teen show B InTune TV broadcasting in 120 million television homes in the United States with broadcast affiliates of 54 countries worldwide including Canada, Europe and Asia.
Early life
Zarah was born in Manila and raised in Los Angeles. She grew up in a large household with her family and was sent to an all-girl private school early on. Her mother was a housewife and entrepreneur for most of her marriage and her father, a freelancer she occasionally saw.
As a young child, Zarah’s passion for creativity was part of her routine. She would often practice performing songs she had composed, singing it in their family garden.
Television career
B InTune TV (TV series)
Zarah is best known for her role as the host of B InTune TV, a nationally syndicated daytime television show that teaches and entertains kids between the ages of 13 and 18 years old, which premiered on September 10, 2005, on Viacom and CBS Television Group and UPN Network stations.
Her involvement with non-profits like the Grammy Foundation, which supports music and arts education for children became the perfect blend for her to use music as a tool to help educate while entertain teens simultaneously as a recording artist and host of the show. Zarah eventually earned the title co-executive producer of B InTune TV alongside creator and executive producer Eugene C. Maillard and was also the contributing writer for eight seasons.
During her interview, she once told Charley Daniels of Television Week magazine, "I think music has healed a lot of my past."
In 2007, Zarah covered an hour-long television special in B InTune TV introducing the classic rock band Led Zeppelin and their history and accomplishments in light of their reunion at the O2 Arena in London.
B InTune TV reached 120 million homes in the United States and had a growth of 54 other countries worldwide. Zarah attended B InTune TV’s red carpet event at the Viper Room in Hollywood commemorating its success.
She featured guest appearances of Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Jared Leto, Clint Eastwood and the Rolling Stones just to name a few. The show was supported by B InTune TV's industry partners like Warner Bros. Records and Where Music Meets Film at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah and other record labels like Universal Records, Warner Bros. Records and Capitol Records.
Other guest appearances
Other television shows
Zarah appeared as an actress in other popular television shows.
Music career
Influences and style
Zarah was influenced by classic to modern rock bands and other popular music growing up. She worked with vocal coach Seth Riggs in Hollywood and began to write her own songs.
Since then, she collaborated with bassist Ricky Phillips of Bad English (now a Styx member), lead guitarist Howard Leese from Heart, and on various music-related projects with the Goo Goo Dolls and others.
Performances
Goo Goo Dolls
Zarah's notable performances include concert shows with Goo Goo Dolls across the country. Her first show with the band took place at the 9:30 Club concert venue in Washington, D.C. known for its gold standard for rock clubs. Subsequently, Zarah met with members of the United States Congress which included former United States Senator John Breaux at the Capitol Hill with John Rzeznik lobbying on issues like music piracy which was prevalent in the music industry. She later performed with the Goo Goo Dolls in other locations like Los Angeles, CA.
In 2006, Zarah featured the Goo Goo Dolls in B InTune TV as her guest stars following them behind the scenes on how to launch a major rock concert for a television segment. She conducted many interviews with the band and crew members during rehearsal for their upcoming tour.
Fundraising events and projects
Zarah worked with congressional leaders and former United States Senator like Tom Daschle, United States Senator Harry Reid and United States Congressman Steny Hoyer. She performed with her band during their fundraising events.