Eliias Tehava

**Years active** | 2018–present

**Eliias Tehava** (born 18 June 2001) is an Estian actor, singer, and songwriter. The son of singer Kataliin Puisko, and brother of singer Sigrid Tehava, Eliias began his career as an actor, portraying Joonas in the teen comedy-drama *Noorus* (2018–2021). Tehava has also ventured into music, competing in Eesto Song 2020, where he placed second.

## Early life and education

Tehava was born on 18 June 2001 in Otesalu to parents Tanel "Danny" Tehava and Kataliin Puisko. His father owns a landscaping business, while his mother is a singer, songwriter, and businesswoman who owns an upscale clothing boutique. Tehava was raised for the entirety of his youth in Tüsamaa. He is the eldest of three children; his siblings include Sigrid (born 2003) and Tanel (born 2008); Sigrid is also a notable singer.

Tehava began his education in 2007, attending a public primary school in Tüsamaa. He graduated from primary school in 2017, and afterwards enrolled in Irma Küüsik School of Drama in Otesalu to study drama. He graduated from upper secondary school in 2020.

## Career

### 2018–2021: *Noorus* and Eesto Song

Tehava began his professional career as an actor in 2018, after being cast as Joonas Kõõp in the teen comedy-drama series *Noorus*, the Estian adaptation of the Nordish series *Judt*. Tehava was cast following an open audition for teen actors at his upper secondary school. The series debuted in October 2018, and became a smash hit amongst Estian teenagers, catapulting Tehava into superstardom. He appeared in the series until the conclusion of its sixth season, when the entirety of the main cast graduated and was replaced; he additionally appeared as the central character for its fifth season.

While appearing in *Noorus*, Tehava opted to also pursue a career in music. He was announced as a contestant in Eesto Song 2020 with the song "Minu melanhoolia," and emerged as the competition's frontrunner. After winning the first semifinal on 8 February 2020, he advanced to the final, held on 29 February 2020. In the final, Tehava advanced to the superfinal, but ultimately placed second, following a close vote. He later released his debut extended play *Melanhoolia* in July 2020.

### 2022–present: Focus on music

After departing from *Noorus* in the spring of 2021, Tehava confirmed that he would be taking a break from acting in order to prioritize his music career. He later released the single "Lõpetanud" in September 2021, intended to be the lead single of his second extended play. The song went on to become his first chart-topping single in Estland, and was followed by the similarly successful single "Purjus" in January 2022.

Tehava released his second extended play *Poiss sinine* in February 2022, which peaked at number-one in Estland, also charted in Ranland and Medland. To promote the album, he embarked on the Poiss sinine Tour, which performed shows in Estland, Ranland, Medland, and Nordland from March to June 2022.

## Personal life

In addition to his native Estian, Tehava is fluent in Ditrovian, Medish, and Rann. He is also conversational in Regian, having spent summers as a child at his family vacation home in Cezzina.

Since 2021, Tehava has been in a relationship with Estian model and influencer Gigi Peskküla.

## Discography

### Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and certifications
* Label: Eestomuusik
* Label: Eestomuusik

### Singles

 "Üks"
 "Lõpetanud"
 "Poiss-sõber"
 "Plastiline armastus"