Julie Zorrilla: Dubai is a vibrant city

"Michael Jackson and Shakira were two of my biggest inspirations growing up," singer and pianist Julie Zorrilla tells City Times. "To me Michael Jackson was on another level of artistry... his perfectionism in every detail of his art from his dance moves to the arrangements of his songs, everything was perfect. Shakira is this raw, soulful writer whose lyrics spoke to me as a child and eventually I picked up a guitar and began writing because of her."
Colombian-born Julie, who made it to the top 24 in season 10 of American Idol, speaks about her latest gig, at Mundo and Rib Room in Jumeirah Emirates Towers, her American Idol experience, and more.

How has your musical journey been post the American Idol experience?
My musical journey after American Idol has been a roller coaster! I have been blessed with many opportunities to work with A-list producers and artists as well as travel doing what I love. One of my favourite projects was a collaboration album Andrea Bocelli recorded with the legendary David Foster.
I had the immense honour of recording a demo duet he later released with Jennifer Lopez. I've also had the pleasure of recording with perhaps the best orchestrator in the business, Jorge Calandrelli, for a project with Greek Opera star Mario Frangoulis, and recorded the theme song for the film Walt Before Mickey (now available on Netflix).
When I first got off the show I spent a few months writing and recording alongside Polow da Don and learned a lot about the process and the business watching him record with artists like Chris Brown, Afrojack, Estelle, Monica, Will.i.am, among others. I'm excited to see what other places my career leads me and I'm currently very happy performing in Dubai!
 
What was the highlight of being on the show?
There were a lot of positive things I gained from American Idol. I learned a lot about myself and my capacity to deal with pressure, to prepare for big performances in short amounts of time, to work with others and learn from their egos as well as my own, and perhaps the most valuable came from seeing myself as a performer on national TV. I gained a lot of insight in that respect.
My favourite performance was on the beautiful stage of the Beatles "LOVE" show by Cirque de Soleil at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas. The first time I saw that stage it completely took my breath away. Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to grasp the concept that I'd be performing there, and just hoped more than anything I could do it justice.

What kind of music are you focusing on for the audience as a resident artist? Do you take audience requests as well?
Apart from the architectural genius of Emirates Towers, what's really important to me is feeling like I'm part of a family working alongside my team. That isn't always the case, and I'm blessed to look forward to coming into work and enjoying my time there.
I select the covers, I sing by reading the room at the moment of my performance. Sometimes it calls for intimate ballads and sometimes for rowdy rock n roll! I enjoy both just the same and try as much as possible to accommodate the requests of the guests. After all, making their night as magical as I can is my number one goal. I want the guests to have a special experience, from the dining to the entertainment, and leave happier than they arrived.

What are your favourite tracks to perform on stage?
I have too many favourites to name! I do enjoy covering Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, The Beatles, Justin Bieber... I try to make the covers my own and have fun with the tunes.
 
How has your experience of Dubai been so far?
Dubai is a vibrant city with great opportunities for artists. There are so many amazing venues! It's also been amazing to learn about a culture so contrasting from my own and see the world with more perspective and understanding than ever before. It's my second time living in Dubai and I hope it will not be my last!
 
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who want to enter a reality singing contest?
My advice would be to believe in yourself and never be afraid of your talent and your capacity to touch people's hearts through music. Make it about the music, always, and the politics will be worth dealing with.
 
If you had to go back in time and change something in your life what would that be?
I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, that we have lived the things we have, to prepare us for what's next, even when we don't know the reason. I like to focus on how to improve based on what I've learned versus looking back on what I cannot change.
 
What inspires you the most?
My number one inspiration has always been my family. My mom and dad are two of the bravest people I have ever known. Their level of commitment and sacrifice in the name of my brother and me has been my reason to keep reaching higher. For me there is honestly no greater feeling than making them proud.
 
What are your future hopes?
All any of us can really hope for in my opinion is our continued happiness. I will keep working hard to reach as many people as I can through music and hope that will always be the source of my economic independence. I am currently in the process of signing a record deal with a boutique label from the US and will be returning home to record an album over the summer.
DEAR JOHN: PLEASE NOTE!
Julie on her dream collaboration: "I would absolutely love to collaborate with John Mayer. He is not only a great lyricist but a highly musically skilled artist. His album Continuum was a big inspiration in my songwriting throughout my teenage years and continues to be one of my all time favourite albums. I think John and I will definitely collaborate some day :)"
Guests can catch a glimpse of Julie Zorrilla at Jumeirah Emirates Towers' steak house, Rib Room, each Wednesday & Thursday from 7:30-10:30pm and then during the Latino-inspired Friday Brunch at Mundo every week until the end of May.
enid@khaleejtimes.com