Sometimes, defeat can pay off.
As well as being an early lesson on the competitive nature of the music industry, 15-year-old singer Alya Al Ali's unsuccessful attempt to join the global pop group Now United allowed her to shine in her own spotlight.
A month after finishing runner-up to Nour Ardakani in the final audition, the Emirati-British talent – who performs under the name Alya – hit back with a trio of achievements by releasing her debut single Hung Up, an accompanying music video and signing with major record label Universal.
Speaking to The National, Alya says being a solo artist is a much better fit for her career plans.
"It was amazing to be part of that whole Now United audition experience. It did give me a real look at the work that is done to create a successful group like that," she says. "But I was already working on my solo career way before that, and they contacted me to audition. So to be back doing my own thing is really where I am most comfortable."
Expert advice from mum
Just because Alya is calling the shots once again doesn’t mean she is not getting great advice.
While Now United is guided by Spice Girls mentor and manager Simon Fuller, Alya seeks the experienced help of her mother, Chloe Butler.
A seasoned British singer for more than three decades, Butler was a regular performer in UAE clubs and venues. It is her mother's tips in the studio booth that Alya credits for achieving the winning harmonies in Hung Up.
“She would tell me when I could do better,” she says. “She knows how things should go but, at the same time, she is supportive and allows me express myself in the way I need to.”
A music video for all ages
Part of which was coming up with the concept for the music video. With the song focusing on a teenage crush going sour, the production is set in a bowling alley where Alya and her former flame are coyly avoiding each other.
The singer says it was important the video, which features 90s-inspired hip-hop fashion and choreography, appeals to all ages.
“I don’t want to be viewed as some of kind of Disney act,” she says. “While I do act my age and talk about things we relate to, I want the song to be enjoyed by everyone.”
That said, Alya’s age means she still has school work to do. She describes how her days are packed with online classes and assignments as well as trips to music and dance studios.
That hard work and dedication is part of the pact she made with her father three years ago.
When nervously sharing her dream of pursuing a full-time career in music, her father agreed – if she gave it all she had.
"He was supportive, but said if you are really serious about it then you have to give 100 per cent or forget about it," she said. "Since then, I haven't looked back."
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More coverage from the Future Forum
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
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Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Marseille 0
Atletico Madrid 3
Greizmann (21', 49'), Gabi (89')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Company%20Profile
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