Bella Isabella Catherine Jhun was a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, dancer, visual artist and aspiring producer, best known as the creative mastermind behind the shoegaze project BelaBela. Jhun’s work explored themes of vulnerability, spirituality, heartbreak and transformation among others. She began to quickly become known for dreamlike imagery, hypnotic vocals and emotionally immersive songwriting, making her an emerging talent in the city’s shoegaze, indie and alternative music scenes.
Tragically, Jhun expectedly did on July 5, 2023. Following her death, Jhun’s family discovered a collection of songs and recordings she’d carefully preserved on her laptop. Determined to honor her artistic vision, her closer circle came together to complete and release Jhun’s music exactly as she intended.
Among those helping to complete the posthumously released material was Jhun’s best friend, Pretty But Wicked founder Sammie Pearson. This made what began as a music project, a labor of love to preserve the voice and creative spirit of a friend and artist, her closer circle knew and loved. “One of the things that feels most special is that the people helping us release Bella’s music aren’t strangers,” said Helen Christoni, Bella’s mother. “They’re people who loved her and loved who knew her. Together, they helped bring her voice back into the world.”
On July 5, 2026, Jhun’s family launched the Bella Angel Fund in her honor. Inspired by Jhun’s compassion, resilience and deep-seated belief that all people deserve to feel seen and loved, the fund will provide emergency support and assistance to abused, battered and trafficked women. The organization’s mission is simple: transform loss into action and create hope for women seeking safety and a new beginning. Through her music and the fund’s mission, the Los Angeles-based artist’s legacy will continue to create hope, healing and impact long after her tragic and untimely death. “While we cannot change what happened to our family, we can honor Bella’s life by helping others,” said Christoni. “The Bella Angel Fund is her legacy in action.”
Marking the launch of the Bella Angel Fund, Jhun’s family and estate shared the posthumously released Jhun and Sammie Pearson-produced “Virgin Mary.” Beneath Jhun’s yearning, siren-like vocal is a hauntingly atmospheric and shuffling arrangement of strummed acoustic guitar, gently padded drumming within a cathartic, grunge-inspired song structure that builds up emotional intensity. Sonically channeling Mazzy Star, L.A Witch and others, “Virgin Mary” is a deeply personal reflection on resilience, femininity and feminine power and self-reclamation, seemingly informed by its creator’s personal experience.
For more information on the Bella Angel Fund, you can go here. It’s a worthy cause and if you’re able and can afford to give, the fund is a very worthy cause, and you’d be helping vulnerable women and families in desperate need.
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