Ferras Mahmoud Alqaisi aka Ferras is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He was born on July 2nd 1982 and is known for his heartfelt voice and emotional songs. He first gained attention with his debut single “Hollywood’s Not America” from the album Aliens & Rainbows. Ferras also became the first artist to sign with Katy Perry’s label “Metamorphosis Music”. Over the years he has worked with famous artists like Adam Lambert, Ricky Martin, and Dua Lipa1.
Ferras Personal Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ferras Mahmoud Alqaisi |
| Born | July 2, 1982, Gillespie, Illinois2 |
| Age | 43 (as of 2025) |
| Heritage | Jordanian‑American |
| Education | Studied at Berklee College of Music |
| Label | Unsub (Katy Perry's) / Capitol / EMI |
| Genres | Pop rock, soft rock, piano rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboards, piano |
| Partner | Adam Lambert |
| Social Media | Instagram: @ferras Spotify: @ferras |
| Official Website | ferrasmusic.com |
Early Life and Family Background
Ferras was born on July 2nd 1982 in Gillespie, Illinois2. His family background is mixed with a Jordanian father and an American mother. When he was young his parents got divorced. One memorable story from his childhood is when his father promised to take him to Disneyland but instead took him to Amman Jordan his father’s home country.
Ferras struggled to settle in Jordan and often felt alone. To lift his spirits his father gave him a small keyboard. That simple gift sparked Ferras’s love for music and became his way to escape the loneliness. Later, his mother managed to bring him back to the United States and they made a new home together in Southern California3.
Ferras Biography: A Musical Life of Passion, Hits & Harmony
Ferras lives in Los Angeles where he’s built a career as a singer‑songwriter, pianist and producer. He’s best known for co‑writing hits with Katy Perry including “Bon Appétit”, “Cozy Little Christmas” and “I’m His He’s Mine” ft Doechii. He’s also worked on songs for the Jonas Brothers, Dua Lipa, Cher and others. Ferras stands out in the studio for his strong piano talents and vocal ideas. He pushes artists to dig deep and bring out their best. He’s teamed with top producers and writers like Max Martin, Sarah Hudson, Boy Matthews and Greg Wells.
Ferras Trivia on Instagram: Behind the Music and Moments
- Ferras co-wrote four songs on Katy Perry’s new album 143: “I’m His, He’s Mine,” “Gimme Gimme,” “All The Love,” and “Wonder4.”
- He called Katy Perry his “goddess” and “mom” and shared how inspiring and magical it is to create music with her.
- Ferras helped write the platinum certified holiday hit “Cozy Little Christmas” with Katy Perry and Greg Wells.
- He had to keep the 143 album songs a secret before release and admitted it was hard because of the excitement.
- Ferras often refers to his music crew as the #PopAvengers which is a nickname for his close team of collaborators.
- He co-wrote songs like “Sex Shop” and “Cognitive Dissonance” for Frankie Grande’s Hotel Rock Bottom album.
- His vocals were praised at a recent show in Paris which is a special moment where he sang “Truth In Reverse” live.
- Ferras recently traveled to Morocco sharing poetic thoughts on the historic city of Marrakech and its artistic vibe.
- He performed at Rock for People festival in Prague with Kat Von D after a spontaneous invite and absolutely slayed.
- Ferras celebrated his friend Jaro’s birthday with a heartfelt tribute calling him “the Bert to my Ernie.”
- He co-wrote “Velvet & Denim” the title track of Olivia Lunny’s album showing his versatile writing style.
- Ferras was spotted celebrating with friends at a trunk show in California for J. Logan Horne’s fashion line.
- He recently attended Katy Perry’s Las Vegas show calling her the “radiant icon” and praising her Teenage Dream energy.
- Ferras’s latest writing credit includes “Silverlines” for Måneskin’s lead singer Damiano David’s album Funny Little Fears.
🎶 Ferras’s Hit Collaborations & Songwriting Highlights
| Year | Artist(s) | Song / Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Lena Meyer-Landrut | Co-wrote “Good News” | Germany’s Eurovision Song Contest entry |
| 2011 | Ricky Martin | Contributed 4 songs to Musica+Alma+Sexo | Part of Ricky Martin’s album |
| 2011 | Jessica Mauboy & Stan Walker | Co-wrote “Galaxy” | Ranked #13 on ARIA Singles Chart, certified platinum |
| Various | Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, The Chainsmokers, Cher, Jonas Brothers | Songwriting contributions | Worked with multiple top artists |
Ferras’ Parents: A Special Bond with Mama Gigi
Ferras shares a close and loving relationship with his mother Gigi. On her 65th birthday he posted a sweet message calling her an icon and an angel. His words showed deep love and respect for the journey they have shared together.
“Happy 65th mama Gigi!!! You are an ICON!!!!!! What a journey we have been on!!!! So honored to share this experience of planet earth with you angel woman! Love love love you!!!! ❤️🎁🎉💫🎂😍🌙🌊🌴🦋🪶”
Gigi played an important role in Ferras’s life. After a tough childhood and time spent in Jordan it was Gigi who brought him back to the United States. Her love and support helped Ferras grow into the artist he is today.
🎬 Ferras in Hitmakers Netflix’s New Music Reality Series
- Ferras is joining the cast of Hitmakers a new reality series launching on Netflix on July 24, 20255.
- He is a singer-songwriter known for emotional lyrics and strong pop melodies.
- Ferras has written for stars like Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, Ricky Martin, Adam Lambert and more.
- His work includes songs like “Genesis” by Dua Lipa and “Bon Appétit” by Katy Perry.
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- On Hitmakers, Ferras will collaborate with other top writers and producers in high pressure songwriting camps.
- The goal is to create new hits for global superstars like John Legend, Shaboozey and Lalisa of BLACKPINK.
- Ferras brings deep experience in vocal production and piano arrangements to the team
- He joins a cast that includes Jenna Andrews, Tommy Brown, Trey Campbell, Harv, JHart and others.
- The show will highlight Ferras’s unique creative process and his ability to connect with artists.
- Hitmakers gives fans a rare look at how real songs are born and Ferras is sure to make his mark.
Ferras & Katy Perry: A Hit-Making Duo
Ferras’s relationship with Katy Perry began when both were signed to Capitol Records. In 2014 Ferras made history by becoming the first artist to sign with Katy Perry’s label Metamorphosis Music (also called Unsub Records) a subsidiary of Capitol. This marked a big milestone and began a creative partnership that produced some of his best work. .
That year Ferras released a self-titled EP with the lead track “Speak in Tongues.” It also featured “Legends Never Die” a heartfelt duet with Katy Perry. He joined her on the Prismatic World Tour where he opened for her in shows across North America and Asia.
💖 Love Life
Ferras is in a relationship with singer Adam Lambert who is known for his strong voice and major success on American Idol. The two have been together for several years and are often seen supporting each other’s musical journeys. Ferras and Adam share a bond rooted in creativity and mutual respect. Whether supporting each other on stage or working together in the studio their relationship shines with authenticity and love.
Social Media Handles
You can follow Ferras on social media to stay updated on his music and projects:
💰 Net Worth and Lifestyle
Ferras has an estimated net worth of $2 million6. He earns through music sales, songwriting, live shows, and collaborations. He enjoys a relaxed and creative life in Los Angeles when he’s not on tour.
📀 Ferras Song Tracklist
| Year | Song Title | Artist(s) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Hollywood’s Not America | Ferras | Lead Artist |
| 2008 | Liberation Day / Rush | Ferras (Aliens & Rainbows) | Lead Artist |
| 2010 | Aftermath | Adam Lambert | Co-writer |
| 2010 | Love the Fall | Michael Paynter ft. The Veronicas | Co-writer |
| 2011 | Good News | Lena Meyer-Landrut | Co-writer |
| 2011 | Galaxy | Jessica Mauboy & Stan Walker | Co-writer |
| 2014 | Speak in Tongues | Ferras | Lead Artist |
| 2014 | Legends Never Die | Ferras & Katy Perry | Duet Artist |
| 2017+ | Bon Appétit, Cozy Little Christmas | Katy Perry | Co-writer |
| 2023 | Love Me to Heaven | Jonas Brothers | Co-writer |
Ferras Career Journey
Education and Musical Training
Ferras’s passion for music grew as he got older. He studied music formally at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Berklee is famous for many talented musicians and it helped Ferras grow as a singer, songwriter and producer.
How Ferras Started His Music Career
Ferras’s career began in his late teens. Inspired by pop stars like Britney Spears and the boy band ’N Sync he decided to pursue music seriously. He recorded a demo tape and got noticed by industry people who invited him to Florida and then he moved to Los Angeles to work on music.
Early in his career Ferras played as Elton John on the reality show “Performing As..”and met Fred Durst who signed him before he went to Berklee.
Breakthrough with “Aliens & Rainbows”
In April 2008, Ferras released his debut album Aliens & Rainbows under Capitol Records. The album was produced by The Matrix and Gary Clark known for their work with big pop acts7. The lead single “Hollywood’s Not America” became Ferras’s most famous song. It was the exit song during the semi-final round of American Idol Season 7 and earned him lots of exposure.
“Hollywood’s Not America” peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This success helped Ferras gain national recognition. He also performed the song on popular shows like The Today Show.
Independent Music and Songwriting Success
Ferras released an EP named Interim in 2010. It featured five acoustic songs recorded live in a studio. It showed a raw and personal side of his music with emotional stories and simple sounds.
Around the same time, Ferras started to shine as a songwriter for other artists. He co-wrote “Aftermath” for Adam Lambert’s album “For Your Entertainment”. The song became a number one hit in Finland.
Ferras also co-wrote “Love the Fall” for Australian singer Michael Paynter ft. The Veronicas. The song made it to the top 20 on Australia’s charts and earned platinum status. This proved Ferras was a talented songwriter beyond his own music.
Music Style and Influences
Ferras blends pop and rock styles, often focusing on emotional lyrics and strong melodies. His piano skills add depth and richness to his music. His sound has been described as heartfelt, melodic, and genuine.
His influences include pop icons like Britney Spears and bands like ’N Sync, but his songwriting also shows inspiration from rock and singer-songwriter traditions.
FAQ’s About Ferras
Q1: What is Ferras’s most famous song?
A: “Hollywood’s Not America” is Ferras’s most well-known single. It was featured on American Idol and reached number 62 on Billboard Hot 100.
Q2: Is Ferras signed to a record label?
A: Yes, Ferras was the first artist signed to Katy Perry’s label, Metamorphosis Music (also called Unsub Records), under Capitol Records.
Q3: Has Ferras written songs for other artists?
A: Yes, he has written songs for Adam Lambert, Ricky Martin, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Jessica Mauboy, and many others.
Q4: Where is Ferras from?
A: Ferras was born in Illinois but spent some childhood years in Amman, Jordan. He currently lives in Los Angeles.
Q5: Who is Ferras’s partner?
A: Ferras is in a relationship with singer Adam Lambert.
Legacy and Future Outlook
Ferras has carved a unique space in pop music through his songwriting, performing, and collaborations. His journey from a lonely boy with a keyboard in Jordan to a recognized artist and songwriter shows his passion and talent. He continues to work with top artists and is expected to release more music and write more hits in the future.
Kanika Dhingra is a pop culture writer with 5+ years of experience decoding celebrity fame. From hip-hop trailblazers to viral chart-toppers, she delivers smart, stylish profiles that resonate with fans and critics alike.
