Nora Jabri (25) was only twelve years old when she first stepped into the spotlight in 2008. At that time she participated in «Norwegian Talents», where she impressed with songs such as «Gabriella’s song» and «Over the Rainbow».
After finishing third in the competition, things went awry for Nora, who has subsequently participated in both the “Melodi Grand Prix” and the “Star Wars”, and been a guest with Oprah Winfrey (67).
To put it mildly, it boiled around her when she won “Star Wars” in 2014, and everything was in place for her to front the country’s newspapers and magazines in the years that followed.
But then she disappeared.
Tok grip
When Se og Hør talks to the 25-year-old this week, she tells why she withdrew, what she has done lately, and not least what it was like to make a comeback during this year’s “Star Wars” final.
– After I won “Star Wars” there was a lot of baluba, and it was very fun, but I was only 18 years old. Even though I then felt grown up and felt that I knew who I was, I probably did not, she says.
COMEBACK: Former “Star Wars” winners Rita Eriksen, Bilal, Silya Nymoen, Knut Marius Djupvik, Nora Jabri, Adam Douglas, Maria Haukaas Mittet and Knut Anders Sørum made a comeback during last weekend’s final. Photo: Tore Skaar / See and Hear
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– I was thrown into things I did not necessarily want to do. I took advice from those who were older than me and who had been in the business longer. I thought they knew best, she continues.
Suddenly, however, a less pleasant voice appeared in Nora’s head, which made her begin to doubt what she really wanted.
– Finally I woke up and thought that I did not want to go to work and “today I do not want to sing”. That feeling lasted very, very long, and then I gradually realized that something was wrong, she remembers.
THEN: Nora under «Norwegian talents» in 2008. Photo: Sara Johannessen Meek / NTB
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MGP: Nora also participated in the “Melodi Grand Prix” in 2012. Photo: Ned Alley / NTB
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Music has always been the only thing in life that the artist has really loved, she says. It has also helped her through many times and terrible times.
– When I started to get those thoughts, that I did not want to sing, I realized that we had to stop, take a breath on the ground and find out what I really should do in the future.
– I want to tell the children what it has cost
Moved from Norway
The 25-year-old therefore made the choice to not only withdraw from the limelight, but actually travel from Norway.
– I applied to music schools in England and the USA completely out of the blue. I wanted to get out of Norway, learn to be a musician, know the basics and find out what I felt I was missing.
– I wanted to be not only the one who sings, but also the one who understands music. Then I applied to Berklee College of Music in Boston – came in for an audition and got a place there.
This is what she has been doing for the last four years.
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– I have studied music and really went back to the beginner scale and tried to figure things out. I have felt that I have been able to do that, she points out, and confirms that she made a conscious choice to leave the much talked about spotlight.
– There are things I did not understand at all then. It was of course fun with all the fuss, and I am left with only good memories, but luckily mom and dad have made sure that I get to have the childhood they were very concerned about. I should be young.
Nora says that her parents slowed down sharply at times, even though it caused disagreements with others around her.
– I have enough with myself
– I’m glad they made that choice. It has also been the reason why I made the choice to leave Norway and start all over again.
However, she points out that she has not been lazy even though she has not been as prominent in the press. Among other things, she released new music earlier this year, something she also plans to do in not too long.
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Lives in the Caribbean
But what has happened to the 25-year-old’s privacy in recent years?
– I have learned that I like contrasts in life, that of being able to have a private life even though I am an artist, she says, and continues:
– The last year I have sailed with my boyfriend in the Caribbean.
The girlfriend, who she was with during the corona pandemic, lives in the Caribbean and has a sailboat there.
EXOTIC: Nora currently lives in the Caribbean, but is still taking the trip home to Norway. Photo: Private
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– I love that life with lots of different contrasts where I can help my boyfriend on the boat, but also go home and have concerts here and play music.
Because of the pandemic, and because she studied in the United States, she was given the opportunity to complete her studies in an exotic environment with her boyfriend.
– I only needed a net so it did not matter to me where I was, so then I made the choice to join him. We have refurbished the boat and have only sailed around to the Caribbean islands.
Fracture – again
Pandemikjæreste
Nora went home to Norway this summer, but will leave again next week.
– I will celebrate Christmas there and come back rested in the new year. It suits me very well. This is exactly how I like life now so this suits me best.
BOYFRIEND: Nora and her boyfriend have spent a lot of time together during the pandemic. Photo: Private
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As mentioned, she met her fiancé during the pandemic. As a result, they have become extremely well known in a very short time.
– You have not been able to come up with anything special other than being with each other. On a boat, there are only the two of us alone as well. You can not take the trip apart as you do at home, so you are together around the clock. The social has only been between the two of us, she says.
The new life of the Aqua stars – debt and rupture
Today she can proudly say that she only makes a living from music financially, which she thinks is very nice.
She can also tell that she has received many warm messages after the comeback on “Star Wars” last weekend.
– It makes you want to come back, she admits.
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