Taleen is a bright star

Singer Taleen is making magic ahead of her UAE gig with Christina Aguilera

"I'm in the shower," shouts a slightly agitated Taleen over the sound of gushing water from the bathroom. Deservedly so, after a 45-minute, energy-packed set at LA's renowned intimate music club The Knitting Factory.

It's after 1am and the 21-year-old, clean, dry and dressed, admits to being utterly exhausted. However, even from halfway around the world you can still sense the excitement in her voice.

"It's partly because I am always on such a high after a great gig, but also because in less than a week I am opening for Christina Aguilera in Abu Dhabi.

"To watch an idol of mine, like Christina, would have been good enough, but to support her in concert is better than having front row seats."

American-born from Middle Eastern parentage, Taleen Kalbian has been singing since she was a youngster.
"Mum says I was singing before I could talk. It's just always been something which feels right."

Now a singer/songwriter, Taleen was performing at the Kennedy Centre with the Washington Opera, when she was 6, for Pope John Paul II in Bethlehem at 12 and alongside Sting as a teenager.

"I went to school the next day after opening for Sting and nobody believed me. My friends just looked at me as if to say 'whatever' and my teachers were no better. I even ended up in detention for not doing my homework that night."

Now aged 21, Taleen has signed a deal with the Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy Award-winning singer Jamie Foxx at his new multi-media production company, FoxxKing Entertainment.

Reaching high

She has certainly set her sights on reaching the top and says she believes the music will take her there.

"I would love to support Madonna next. She is such an inspiration to me. She has achieved so much and is continuously reinventing herself for the better.

"I would also love to become Christina's permanent support act and go on tour with her — that would be wonderful."

Giving the set a practice run was in the forefront of Taleen's mind at her LA gig — which she used to "test" the full set which she plans to perform in Abu Dhabi on Friday, as Christina fans await the international superstar.

"The response was really good tonight and it's made me pretty confident about the gig in Abu Dhabi. This is by far my biggest break, and I'm looking forward to embracing the whole experience.

"It is so wonderful to hear a crowd clap after they have enjoyed your music — I'm not sure there is a better feeling — well apart from the actual rush of being on stage, of course."

In 2004, Taleen was the first and youngest American artist to be invited to headline a concert hosted by the Abu Dhabi Music Foundation.

"I have family in Jordan and my father, who is half Palestinian and half Italian, works part of the year in the UAE."

'A fantastic gig'

But it's not just a huge voice she boasts. Adding another string to her bow, Taleen is also working in the studio writing for an array of hit-makers, writers and producers.

They include Darrale Jones, vice-president of A&R for Atlantic Records, responsible for Usher's massive, Confessions and Lupe Fiasco's platinum seller, Food and Liquor.

"I am writing songs which will hopefully eventually become huge hits for major artists. I have so many songs waiting to come out of me."

Other big players in the music world working with Taleen include Damon Thomas, who launched Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown and Mary J. Blige, as well as Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, a producer for Britney Spears, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Rihanna and Celine Dion.

Offering a unique style of pop, hip-hop and opera with R&B sensibilities, her debut single, Gotta Let it Go, was released in the Middle East in January 2004 and since then Taleen has not looked back.

"This opportunity really is almost unimaginable for someone like me. I keep thinking I'll wake up at any moment and discover it's all a dream.

"It is a fantastic gig, but I am determined not to get carried away and to stay grounded. It is easy to get sucked into the wrong things in the LA music scene and I plan to be different."

Best thing about the job?

"People going crazy for a song you wrote in a room in 30 minutes the day before."

Worst thing about the job?

"Being a singer is not as glamorous as people think. It can be lonely and it's really hard to maintain relationships."

Ticket info

Concertgoers can pick up tickets at Emirates Palace's west entrance. Box office booths will be clearly visible as you approach the venue.

Tickets priced Dh890, Dh595 and Dh295 are available at Spinneys, Hallmark and Cellucom outlets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Concert information

Gates open at 6pm with Taleen on stage from 9.30pm. Christina is expected to follow around 10.30pm.