Son of the great Armenian-born filmmaker Henri Verneuil (Achod Malakian), Sevan Malakian took part in the seventh season of the TV talent show Star Academy in 2007. He was eliminated at the evaluation stage of this season, which was won by Quentin Mosimann. Now Ian Malak, he released the single "Samedi soir à Paris" in 2015, whose blend of R&B and electro pop quickly made a hit on French radio.