In 1997, the science-fiction film The Fifth Element by Luc Besson was released—and the character Leeloo, played by 19-year-old Milla Jovovich, was born.

Inva Mula (born 27 June 1963) is an Albanian opera lyric soprano. She began her soprano career at a very early age. Her father (Avni Mula) and mother (Nina Mula) were also opera singers. She is also known for providing the voice of the diva Plavalaguna in the film The Fifth Element.

The "Divine Language" spoken by Leeloo is a fictional language of 400 words, invented by Besson. To practice, Jovovich and Besson held conversations and exchanged letters in the language.

The aria Diva Plavalaguna (acted by Maïwenn Le Besco; singing voice by Inva Mula-Tchako) sings in the film's most famous scene is “Il dolce suono” (“The Sweet Sound”), infamous as the ultimate example of the 'mad scene' that dominated the Italian bel canto opera period of the early 19th century.