Dubai: The finals of a talent contest being held on April 22 in Dubai promises to give blue collar workers a chance to break out of their humdrum routines and live their dreams.

Previous winners in this contest in the last two years have signed record deals with television channels and have been performing shows across the UAE.

The Smart Idol 2016 contest for expatriate workers has revealed a surprising line up of aspiring artistes among the working class. Of the 2,000 workers who auditioned, nearly 14 were chosen in the semi-final — seven singers and seven dancers — who will participate in the finals to be held at Rashid Auditorium, Dubai.

This year’s finalists feature an interesting line-up of men and women from countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Nepal, Pakistan and India.

Diana Namayanja, 25, from Uganda, who works as a bus conductor, always did gospel singing at her neighbourhood church and writes her own lyrics and composes her own songs. She dreams of having her own record label one day. “My idol is Celine Dion,” says the young woman who is sure to win hearts with her incredible voice.

Nazia Ajaj Ali, from Pakistan, who works as a sales representative in Dubai, always wanted to be singer but her financial situation compelled her to first eke out a livelihood and support her family in Pakistan. “ I am thrilled that the programme has given me a chance to pursue my dream,” she said. She loves to sing the songs of her idol Lata Mangeshkar.

Durga Vijay, a carpenter by profession from India, is a father of seven daughters and a son and hopes to realise his dream of being a singer with this contest. He is self-taught and writes and composes his own songs.

Jahazaib has singing in his genes. His father was a famous Sufi singer in Pakistan and the young labourer feels winning this contest will help him follow in his father’s footsteps into the music industry.

Balraj Masih, a carpenter, has a soulful, base voice and belts out foot-tapping Punjabi folk songs. A great fan of the Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali, he usually has wears earphones to work, concealing them under his cap and trying his best to make time for practice after his 12-hour work shift.

Morries Mana, a worker at Dubai airport, is a natural musician with an incredible voice. He is being dubbed as the dark horse of the contest by those who have followed his journey.

Shoaib Akhter who belonged to a band in Pakistan lost his chance of becoming a professional singer when he came in search of a livelihood in Dubai. But this contest gave him a chance to relive his dreams and he is looking forward to a winning performance.

Like singers dancers, too, hope to win on April 22.

Dominated by Nepali women — Tara Devi, Sabina Thapa, Punam Limbu and Prabha Tamang — the dancers are pinning hopes on a victory. Many of them are self-taught and have defied their families to reach the final round.

Nagendra, a passionate choreographer from India, came to Dubai to support his family and is full of gratitude to get this chance of proving his dancing talent.

Two other finalists, Rajesh Gulgula, a Prabhu Deva fan, and Fahim ,a dancing enthusiast, have made it to the final rounds by sheer dint of hard work and hope their luck will shine during the finals.