Etty Lau Farrell: Family, Kids and Career

Etty Lau Farrell is a talented dancer, musician, and performer, best known for her work in the entertainment world and her marriage to Perry Farrell, the frontman of Jane’s Addiction. Born in Hong Kong, Etty moved to the U.S. to pursue ballet, eventually becoming a key part of the alternative rock scene through her collaborations with Perry.

Etty Lau Farrell: Family, Kids and Career

From her time as a dancer for Jane’s Addiction to co-founding Satellite Party, Etty has built a multi-faceted career while balancing life as a mother and creative partner.

Early Days: A Passion for Dance

Born in Hong Kong on December 10, 1974, Etty’s love for performing started early. Dance quickly became her passion, and she didn’t treat it as just a hobby. Etty was serious about it from the get-go.

In her teenage years, she made a bold move. She left home to study ballet at the School of American Ballet in New York City. It’s the kind of decision that speaks to her dedication and drive. For a young girl from Hong Kong, this was a massive leap, culturally and professionally.

Dance isn’t an easy career, and ballet especially requires tremendous discipline. But Etty thrived in it, performing with the renowned Cirque du Soleil. It’s not hard to imagine the sheer focus and energy it must’ve taken to get there.

Career

If you think of rock music and ballet as worlds apart, Etty Lau Farrell is the proof that they don’t have to be. Her career took a significant turn when she joined Jane’s Addiction as a backup dancer. It was during this time that she met Perry Farrell, and their connection quickly blossomed. They married in 2002, but Etty was never content to just be “the rock star’s wife.” She brought her own flavor to the band’s live shows, adding a sense of theatrical performance to their concerts that wasn’t just about the music but about creating an experience.

In 2005, Perry Farrell and the William Morris Agency teamed up with Capital Sports Entertainment, a company based in Austin, Texas (now known as C3 Presents), to transform the event into what it is today: an annual festival in Chicago. By 2014, Live Nation Entertainment acquired a majority stake in C3 Presents. Etty joined the board of directors as co-chair, working alongside Perry and six other partners from Lollapalooza, C3 Presents, and LiveNation.

Being in Jane’s Addiction meant more than performing with her husband. She contributed vocals on tour and played a part in shaping the energy of their performances. Etty wasn’t in the background—she was part of the heartbeat of the show. Her influence grew even more when she and Perry launched their own project, Satellite Party, in 2005. This was a collaboration that mixed rock with electronic music, and Etty stepped further into the spotlight, showing off her vocal talents.

Marriage, Family and Kids

Etty met Perry Farrell while she was a dancer on the Jane’s Addiction’s Relapse tour in 1997. They started dating a couple of years later in 1999. Etty married Perry Farrell in June 2002. Etty and Perry’s relationship is a creative partnership as much as it is a personal one. But beyond the stage lights and musical projects, Etty also embraced motherhood. The couple has two sons, Izzadore and Hezron, and if you take a peek at her Instagram, you’ll see just how much they mean to her. It’s clear that, no matter how busy life gets, her family remains at the center of her world.

Like any working mom, Etty’s life is a balancing act. The demands of parenting don’t exactly go hand in hand with rock tours and late-night gigs, but Etty has made it work. She’s spoken openly about the joys and challenges of raising kids while keeping her creative spark alive. And let’s face it—being a rock star mom is a bit different from the average PTA meeting!

The Farrell Duo

One of the most interesting aspects of Etty’s life is the creative partnership she shares with Perry. Their relationship isn’t just about marriage—it’s about making art together. Whether it’s their work on Satellite Party or Etty’s behind-the-scenes role in the creation of Lollapalooza, she’s been a crucial part of shaping their joint projects.

In 2019, husband Perry Farrell released new album, titled Kind Heaven. Many of the tracks on the album featured Etty’s vocals. The album reached 2nd position on Billboard‘s Heatseeker album chart.

In 2022, Etty launched ‘Heaven After Dark’, a new nightlife concert series created in partnership with Perry. The show’s debut was in February 2022 in Los Angeles.

Perry has spoken openly about how much he values Etty’s input. Their collaborations aren’t just about her joining in on his ideas; they’re about creating something together. It’s refreshing to see a couple that can seamlessly blend their personal lives with their artistic endeavors without one overshadowing the other.

What’s Next for Etty Lau Farrell?

At 49 years old, Etty Lau Farrell isn’t slowing down. Though her focus has shifted more toward family in recent years, she remains involved in the creative world. You can still catch her contributing to Lollapalooza or working on other artistic ventures, and it’s safe to say that we haven’t seen the last of her performances.

What’s inspiring about Etty is her ability to evolve. She’s moved through different phases of her career, from ballet to rock performances to reality TV, all while staying true to who she is. She’s not just following Perry’s path; she’s carving out her own.