Maria Fatima Unera Qureshi, a half Pakistani, half Philipina singer, has recently dropped a romantic duet Aaja Na with Qurram Hussain. In the past, she has worked with big names in the industry including Cornetto Pop Rock and Nescafe Basement as well as in stage productions such as The Lion King and Grease. Singing since she was in high school, Maria dreamed of a music career. She promised her late mother that she’d quit music if she didn’t make it big in three years and worked hard to fulfill her ambition. Maria tells her story to Sana Zehra
Maria what’s your story?
Oh gosh! My story is super long. (Laughs)
I’ve been singing since I was a little kid; I realized it when I was sixteen years old that I wanted to be a musician. My mother was a Filipina and my father is Pakistani and I think music is in my blood.
When I turned eighteen I realized this is what I really wanted to pursue. I went to my mom and asked her if I could drop out of school and pursue music because I used to jam around in random cafes, street jams and people used to enjoy it. She made a deal with me that if in three years I was not successful she would send me to boarding school. She was a cadet and she wanted me to be one too.
I agreed to the terms of our agreement; I truly worked my butt off to make my dreams a reality and ended up getting signed up with Nescafe Basement. That is how working in the music industry.
What was your first major record deal?
First major deal was with Nescafe Basement. I did two seasons of the show, and in my second season we had an all-girl band song that went crazy viral. We sang John Newman songs, which he himself shared online with his fans.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
Jeez! I don’t know. I think I would be a doctor. You know how Filipino moms are they either make you nurses or doctors or teachers.
Best career advice you ever got?
My mom is my biggest inspiration and she told me never put yourself down. As it is people will try to bring you down because the world is cruel. I often think of her words.
Most gracious response to a rejection or to a career setback?
Maria: I’ve been told that life goes on and whatever happen, happens for a reason so yeah.
Most difficult career decision you ever made?
I was always into English music. When I was working on my first proper Urdu song Aaja Na I would ask Qurram if I’m pronouncing the word OK. Shifting from English to Urdu was daunting and I didn’t know how people would respond. So far so good!
Favourite perk of the job?
You get to sing for thousands and thousands of people. The audience sings along with me. It’s the best feeling ever.
Worst part of being into music?
No sleep
Change you’d like to see in this music industry?
Appreciate more, criticize less.
Who do you admire the most?
I admire my mother not because she is my mother but because she really pushed me to be better. When she made the three year deal with me, it was not to scare me but to motivate me and push me to follow my dreams.
What was the last thing you binge watched?
The new series 13 Reasons Why
What song would always make you cry?
Tears in heaven
What song would you want to be played at your funeral?
Jeez! I don’t know, nothing really.
What was the first album you bought?
Interesting! I listened to my mom’s collection of albums of Ray Charles, Tony Bennett and Perry Como. So I really didn’t buy my first album.
Lipstick or lip-gloss?
Lipstick
What should every woman try once in her lifetime?
Paragliding
How would your perfect day end?
My perfect day would end with music.
Name one thing you are exceptionally good at?
I don’t want to brag but I think I can sing.
One thing you are really bad at?
Speaking in Urdu
Superhero power you’d want to have?
I’d like to fly please.
Something nice you did for yourself recently?
Not for myself but in the month of Ramadan I donated a lot.
Beauty essential during those cold winter days?
I don’t know maybe I will just sit in front of the heater.
3 qualities in a partner
Honesty
Fun
Loyalty
Advice to women with a broken heart?
One piece of advice would be: don’t let anyone try to bring you down.
Have you ever been in love?
Yes!
Craziest thing you did for love?
Nothing! If it’s worth then just go for it.
What would your high school boyfriend say about you now?
Shit, man! Shouldn’t have let her go.
What is your favourite Disney princess?
Cinderella
What does Gt mean to you?
Fun, man! I’m having so much fun.
“My mom is my biggest inspiration and she told me never put yourself down. As it is people will try to bring you down because the world is cruelâ€
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