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Now United's Nour and Savannah living the pop dream in Dubai

Global band's newest members meet up in UAE

They're both the latest additions to Pepsi-backed global super group Now United, which comprises 16 performers from different countries around the world, though their journey to international stardom couldn't have been more different. In pre-Covid February 17-year-old Australian Savannah Clarke's audition process was one you may expect in the modern music era. Discovered on Instagram, the Sydney teenager was invited to Los Angeles to try-out behind closed doors for the band's head honchos including media impresario and Spice Girls founder Simon Fuller. Clarke's talent dictated she was almost instantly offered a place just before the planet began shutting down to halt the spread of the virus. On the other hand, as a result of the pandemic, 18-year-old Beirut native Nour Ardakani completed rigorous video conference call-backs fans could near enough follow in real-time to narrow down 1000 applicants. The Middle East's first representative was hired on Monday, her unveiling broadcast on the Now United YouTube channel.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nour Ardakani (@noursmusicdiary) on Sep 21, 2020 at 10:21am PDT

"It feels incredible. Having Nour be with us for the first time, she's so beautiful," Clarke added. "Having someone here who is also new with me and having the same feelings is so cool."
Representing one's nation, whether in sport or in the political sphere for example, is an opportunity seldom afforded though a privilege even more rarely considered in the music industry outside the Eurovision Song Contest. Not many think of Rihanna as Bajan, or Adele as British per se. Their music and actions do not necessarily symbolise the country of their birth. NU's appeal, however, largely stems from each artist embodying from where they hail. For instance Clarke's Aussie pride matches Heyoon Jeong's Korean and Sabina Hidalgo's Mexican identities.

"It is a really big responsibility," Ardakani told us of the honour. "I'm not only representing the MENA region, but also the youth.
"I can't wait to meet everyone (the rest of NU). I want to get to know their cultures."
Ardakani hopes to instill a little Arabic touch into the group's music because "that is what Now United is all about."
Regarding upcoming plans, it appears the pair is itching to get moving and had some inspirational parting words.
"I'm looking forward to traveling the world again," Clarke said. "Coming to Dubai and being together for the first time in ages has been amazing. I have been going on all these adventures like skydiving, which I'd never thought I'd do, I went to the desert and we have been making so many music videos.
"The most important thing is to follow what you love and don't let people tell you you're not good enough. If you keep pushing you'll make it."
"Hard work does pay off," Ardakani said. "If you work towards your goals you'll get there some day and be super happy because it's your passion."

 

 

 

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A post shared by S A V A N N A H ? C L A R K E (@savannah.clarke) on Sep 19, 2020 at 6:59am PDT