Nour Ardakani
Nour Issam Ardakani (Arabic: نور عصام أردكاني; born November 30, 2001) is a Lebanese singer, dancer and model. She currently represents Lebanon and the MENA region in Now United, a global pop group founded by Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller.
Career
[edit]2020–present: Now United
[edit]She was announced as the 16th member of the global pop group Now United on 21 September 2020 as Lebanon's representative, participated in the group's auditions and competed as a finalist with Alya Al Ali (عليا أل علي in Arabic), from the United Arab Emirates.
Before joining Now United, Nour had a band with her friends called Front Row.
Her first song as a member of Now United was "Habibi". She later released the Arabic version of the song called "حبيبي" ("Habibi" in Arabic).
With the group and at the age of 19, Nour was the first Lebanese to be nominated for Meus Prêmios Nick, the Brazilian version of Nickelodion's Kids' Choice Awards. Nour went on a global tour with Now United since March 11th,2022 (Wave Your Flag World Tour).
Interviews and editorials
[edit]Nour was considered "arguably the biggest Gen Z role model in the Arab world" by Cosmopolitan Middle East in the article Nour Ardakani Is Putting Up a Now United Front.[1] She has also been interviewed by ET Arabia, The Insider, MTV Lebanon, Jornal Al Khaleej,[2] Al Arabiya and Al Jadeed.
Some major music websites such as Variety,[3] The National News,[4] NBC,[5] and Harper's Bazaar Arabia[6] covered Nour's performance and her career.
Personal life
[edit]Nour is from a Baha’i family. She used to live with her mother, father, and two siblings, Jad and Ryan, in Mansourieh, Lebanon, but now she currently lives in Los Angeles due to her work in Now United.[citation needed]
She is fluent in Arabic, English and French. She studied Nutrition and Business[7] at the American University of Beirut.
She also composes songs, plays the piano, ukulele and is currently learning to play the guitar.[8][9]
Discography
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]Title | Year | Peaks | Album | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LBN | |||||||||||||
"So Good" | 2023 | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||||
"Miles Above the Moon" | 2024 | — | |||||||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards and nominees
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Results | ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Murex d'Or | Best Arabic song | Habibi حبيبي (Arabic version) - Now United | Nominated | [1] |
Murex d'Or | Public Award | Nour Ardakani | Nominated | ||
Arab Woman Awards | Young Talent | Nour Ardakani | Winner | [2] |
References
[edit]- ^ Midwood, Milli (April 29, 2021). "Nour Ardakani is putting up a United front". Cosmopolitan Middle East. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Staff report (September 21, 2020). "Lebanon's Nour Ardakani chosen as MENA Now United member". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (September 21, 2020). "Lebanese Newcomer Nour Ardakani Joins Global Pop Group Now United". Variety. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Saeed, Saeed (September 23, 2020). "Now United's new Lebanese member Nour Ardakani on representing the Arab world: 'I am ready for the responsibility'". The National News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ montana, NBC (September 23, 2020). "Lebanese teen from Beirut joins global pop band". NBC Montana. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Arabia, Harper's Bazaar (October 13, 2021). "Arab Woman Awards Winners announced at world of fashion 2021". Harper's Bazaar Arabia. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Paula, Juliane de (January 18, 2021). "Now United lança vídeo mostrando história de Nour Ardakani, nova integrante do grupo". Palco Pop. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Serra, Ana (September 22, 2020). "Now United: 10 curiosidades sobre Nour Ardakani, a nova integrante do Oriente Médio". Pure Break. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ Zavagli, Gabriela (January 28, 2021). "Com vídeo emocionante, Now United conta a história de Nour Ardakani até entrar no grupo". Festival Teen. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.