Award-winning Spanish singer and television presenter Natalia is making the most of her time in Dubai.
The 29-year-old found fame after finishing third on popular Spanish reality television show Gente de Primera, where celebrities take a member of the public and transform them into pop stars, and is now in the UAE to shoot her latest music video.
With five successful albums under her belt, Natalia flew in to perform at the annual Action Care Gala 2012 in a bid to launch her music in the Middle East which first up means shooting her music video in the desert.
To date Natalia has achieved nine Top 10 hits, five of which have hit the No 1 spot in her home country with sales of almost one million, and has also appeared on well-known artist albums, including Spanish singer Tony Aguilar with the song Vuelve, and on rapper AT’s album Electric Grease.
A key supporter of Action Care’s Share the Dream campaign, Natalia composed a song inspired by Malala Yousufzai – the young activist recently critically wounded by the Taliban on her way home from school in Pakistan – which is due for release in the coming months.
Q. You were on the Spanish reality show more than 10 years ago now – does it seem that long ago and what are some of your memories?
A. It seems like it was yesterday, but it’s true, a lot of time has passed. I have many great memories like for example the feeling that I had before going on stage and being in front of cameras for the first time in my life, knowing that there were so many people watching me. I will never forget this sensation and more importantly, still today every time I go on stage, I get butterflies in my stomach.
Q. You didn’t win the show but managed a good career anyway. Why do you think you were more successful than the winners?
A. I have always been focused on my career because it’s my dream and I have always fought for what I think is important. Its the same if you win or lose, but when you are given the opportunity you have to show that you were born to do what you do.
Q. You’ve just made your Dubai debut – have you been to the region before and why shoot the video here?
A. It is my first time in Dubai. Dubai has always been a city that has appealed greatly to me. It is one of the places I’ve always wanted to go and being able to sing here is like a dream come true. I hope that the people of Dubai will enjoy my music. There is so much scope in the country to shoot a video. I am very excited and will keep you updated.
Q. How did you get involved with the Action Care Gala?
A. I was introduced to Action Care through a mutual friend in Dubai. I was very inspired by the work they do in the region, and when the news of the ‘Share the Dream’ Gala came up, I felt my performance was a way in which I could contribute to Action Care’s mission of building bridges and making a difference in the lives of people.
Q. Tell us about the song you’ve written for Malala Yousufzai.
A. I have written a ballad with a lot of feeling with a precious melody. The song has a message of hope not only for Malala but for anyone and everyone who listens to it.
Q. What would you describe as the highlight of you career so far?
A. When I sang in Bernabeu, the Real Madrid stadium in front of 100,000 people. This was the most incredible feeling I have ever had. There were so many people singing and dancing that I almost couldn’t sing because of the excitement.
Q. Do you write all your own music? If yes, what’s the biggest inspiration? Melody or lyrics first?
A. Yes. I have written my own music since 2002. I love to play the guitar, and write music. I write the melody first and according to how the music makes me feel, I write the lyrics- If the melody is sad I write more melancholy lyrics. If fast, then the lyrics are more upbeat.
* For more on Natalie, go to nataliafanclub.net.
