I Think they chose me because I’m a good singer, but also because I’m a performer," says 18-year-old city girl Simran Duggal, who could be your next Spice Girl
Simran Duggal
I Think they chose me because I’m a good singer, but also because I’m a performer," says 18-year-old city girl Simran Duggal, who could be your next Spice Girl. Why? Well, because Simon Fuller says so. Fuller, the creator of the Idol franchise (American Idol/Indian Idol), and the man behind So You Think You Can Dance, is still best known for managing The Spice Girls, one of the biggest girl bands in pop history. His company, Now United, which has been conducting auditions for Fuller’s new global pop group, hit gold when it selected Duggal at a round of auditions in March this year at the True School of Music in Lower Parel.
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"I sent in my audition video one day before Simon came to India," says Duggal, who is full of nervousness and excitement at the thought of something "so big". Dressed in a crop top and pants (as instructed by the organisers), she redid the performance in front of Fuller, dancing to Ed Sheeran’s The Shape of You, and singing Sia’s massive hit Chandelier. It must have been impressive, because she is one of the two girls selected from India to be a part of the band, Now United. She will represent India in a group (boys and girls) of 11 from countries including Japan, Korea, China, UK, US, Mexico and Brazil. She heads to LA for a one-week training bootcamp in August. "We will be trained in dancing and singing. This is also the first time I am going to go out of the country!" she tells us.
Duggal has had a musical upbringing, and says she and her sister, Riya (20), have been singing since they were two years old. They grew up on a staple of country and pop music, as dad, Rajeev, and mom, Melanie, are both musicians. In fact, one of their melodies could be etched in the mind of every 90s kid — remember the title track for Zabaan Sambhalke? "My dad makes the music and mom sings it. In fact, I still sing with her at hotels." She also sings covers and originals with her sister, in bands called Simetri and Twisted Paradox, around the city. Their Instagram accounts are full of videos where both sisters charm with their range and attitude.
Right now, she is prepping for her LA visit. She is also intent on changing her image from that of a cute kid to an edgy pop star. "I want to be like Selena Gomez or Ariana Grande. Less cute kid, more bad**s." Well, looks like she is a Spice Girl already.
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