NPR's Book of the Day Iranian pop star Googoosh on her new memoir and life in pre-revolution Iran
Jan 22, 2026
Googoosh, an iconic Iranian pop star and actress, shares her remarkable journey from a vibrant pre-revolution Tehran to years of exile. She discusses the restrictions faced by women singers post-1979, including her harrowing 28-day imprisonment for defying cultural bans. With candid reflections on her struggles during decades of silence, Googoosh reveals how the diaspora's support fueled her triumphant return to the stage in Toronto. Throughout, she expresses a deep longing for her homeland and a hope for Iran's future.
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Early Stardom And Cultural Influence
- Googoosh began performing at age three and sang on stage by five or six after her father noticed her talent.
- She grew into a national pop and movie star whose style influenced how people dressed and cut their hair.
A Different Pre-Revolution Iran
- Pre-1979 Iran allowed public nightlife, clubs, and freedoms many outside Iran no longer associate with the country.
- Googoosh emphasizes women then had broad personal freedoms including clothing choices and public social life.
Music Banned For Women After Revolution
- After the Islamic Revolution, the new system banned women from singing publicly and curtailed pop culture.
- Men regained limited musical permission later, but women remained restricted from performing.