Global music group, Now United, has finally found its 16th member – AND its first-ever Middle Eastern member! 18-year-old Lebanese singer Nour Ardakani has *officially* been chosen to join the global pop group formed by Simon Fuller, who founded both American Idol and the British girl-group we all know and love, the Spice Girls.
Founded in 2017, Now United has been hand-picking young talents from countries all-around the world to showcase young international talents. They announced in November last year that they were looking for a new member from the MENA region, and via a competition online, Nour got the part! Simon Fuller told the singer in a video call, “I think you are absolutely wonderful, and I think you would be perfect to join the group. And I would like to invite you to be the next member of Now United.”
Nour told Cosmo that singing and music has been a passion of hers ever since she was young, “and to actually think that this is turned into my life and I can do that every single day is crazy.” She was “so shocked” as she didn’t expect to be chosen, but “she’s so excited to work with everyone.”
Cosmo ME: Where do you hope to see your music career in five years’ time?
Nour: “I’m hoping I’ll still be doing music, I hope I’ll be touring for concerts and meeting more musicians and people who support me.”
C: How does it feel to be an Arab woman being given this global platform?
N: “Honestly, it’s such an honor and it’s amazing to be able to represent the Middle East, especially Lebanon. Everyone’s been working so hard at Now United and I can’t wait to work hard as well!”
C: Do you feel that Arab women are properly represented in the music and the entertainment industry?
N: “I think that Arab women are so inspiring, they’re so hardworking. And now that I have this platform I want to work towards being as hardworking as they are, it’s a really big responsibility but it’s one I can’t wait to take on.”
C: You’re only 18, but you have 250K followers on IG, how do you keep your mental health in check?
N: “The thing is its been super quick, like I haven’t had enough time to process everything that’s been going on. The members here are super nice and super supportive and of course they go through the same things, so they are here for me and they always give me amazing advice. That’s been helping me out the most.”
C: So, as you continue to rise to fame, what are you going to do to remain grounded and humble?
N: “In Arab culture, family is super important, and I’m super tight with my family, so having that relationship with them, even my friends from home, it’ll help keep me grounded.”
C: If you could collaborate with any musician in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
N: “I don’t wanna be cliché but I think its Beyoncé because she’s an amazing performer. She’s an amazing singer and dancer and I want to try my best to be the best performer I can be.”