Milla Jovovich is a singer and actress best known in music for her 1994 debut album, The Divine Comedy, a mostly acoustic folk-pop record released under the name Milla, and its single “Gentleman Who Fell” (1994). She followed it with The Peopletree Sessions (1998). Later she sang on film soundtracks, including The Million Dollar Hotel (2000) and Dummy (2002).
Most people know Milla Jovovich from films such as The Fifth Element and the Resident Evil series. Many of them later find out that she made a well-reviewed alternative record before her film career took off. The Divine Comedy is still a cult favorite among fans of 1990s alternative radio, and its songs were mostly written and recorded when she was a teenager.
Who is Milla Jovovich?
| Full name | Milica Jovović |
|---|---|
| Born | December 17, 1975, Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Age | 50 (as of November 2026) |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actress, model |
| Genres | Folk pop, folk rock, alternative, experimental electronic |
| Labels | SBK Records, Peopletree Recordings |
| Known for | The Divine Comedy (1994), “Gentleman Who Fell” (1994), The Peopletree Sessions (1998) |
The turning point: Milla Jovovich’s The Divine Comedy (1994)
The Divine Comedy, released on April 5, 1994, by SBK Records, was the turning point in Milla Jovovich’s music career. She named it after Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. She was billed simply as Milla, because people often mispronounced her surname. The album combined acoustic pop-rock with Ukrainian folk elements. Critics responded well to it, and it reached number 23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart.
“Gentleman Who Fell,” written by Jovovich with Richard Feldman and Mark Holden and produced by Feldman, came out as the first single in March 1994. It reached number 21 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart . It also charted in the UK at number 65 and in Canada at number 72. It was the only song from the album that got a music video. The video paid tribute to Maya Deren’s experimental film Meshes of the Afternoon. “Bang Your Head” and “It’s Your Life” followed as singles, without videos.
How Milla Jovovich started in music
Milla Jovovich started playing piano at about age eight and guitar at about ten. In interviews she has said that setting her poetry and writing to music came naturally to her. She began recording demos as a teenager, and SBK Records signed her after hearing one. Early sessions in which the label paired her with outside producers frustrated her because they left little room for her own writing. The label eventually gave her more creative control. Much of the debut, including the opener “The Alien Song,” was written when she was 16.
Milla Jovovich after The Divine Comedy: The Peopletree Sessions and beyond
Milla Jovovich went in a very different direction with The Peopletree Sessions, released in September 1998 by Peopletree Recordings. She made it with her frequent collaborator Chris Brenner and played instruments and programming as well as singing lead. AllMusic’s Dave Sleger described it as “a 180-degree turnaround” from the debut and pointed to its homemade, dark electro-urban sound.
In 1999 Milla Jovovich formed the experimental band Plastic Has Memory. The band played in Los Angeles and New York but never released an album. After that she sang mostly on soundtracks, including The Million Dollar Hotel (2000) and Dummy (2002).
Selected studio and soundtrack albums of Milla Jovovich
| Year | Album | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | The Divine Comedy | Studio album |
| 1998 | The Peopletree Sessions | Studio album |
| 2000 | The Million Dollar Hotel | Soundtrack |
FAQ
– What was Milla Jovovich’s first album?
Milla Jovovich’s first album was The Divine Comedy, released on April 5, 1994, by SBK Records under the name Milla. It reached number 23 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart.
– What is Milla Jovovich’s best-known song?
Milla Jovovich’s best-known song is “Gentleman Who Fell” (1994), the first single from The Divine Comedy. It reached number 21 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart.
– What genre is Milla Jovovich’s music?
Milla Jovovich’s debut is mostly acoustic folk pop with Ukrainian folk elements. Her 1998 album The Peopletree Sessions moved to a darker, experimental electronic sound.
– How old is Milla Jovovich?
Milla Jovovich was born on December 17, 1975, in Kyiv, Ukraine. She is 50 (as of November 2026).
Header photo: Kevin Paul / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0, resized
