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1. Hard worker
2. Determined
3. Dimples
4. Easy To Work With
5. Bubbly

Every artist has a story…but not many have one as unique as 18 year old Merna’s.

Merna is the youngest of three, whose parents fled Iraq to escape the oppression of former dictator Sadaam Hussein. “As Christians living in the Muslim country of Iraq, my parents were always living in fear for their lives. Also my mother wanted to be a professional singer, and in Iraq it’s frowned upon for women to be singers. So my father
and mother took my brother and moved to the US, and lived in North Hollywood. So my sister and I were born in the states, but my brother is a US citizen.” No stranger to tough times, Merna has lived most of her 18 years life very modestly in the small community in Central Valley California.

Early on, Merna struggled to find opportunities and motivation to believe in her dream. But it when her father succumbed to prostate cancer in 2004, Merna decided it was time to take her dream to the next level. “My dad passed away right before I started high school, and my brother has Cerebral Palsy, so my mother, sister, and I have struggled financially. We all have to pitch in to help take care of my brother because of his CP. But he’s the nicest, coolest big brother ever! So I’m pursuing my dream of becoming a singer to give my family hope and make a better life for them and me.”

After the passing of her father, Merna immediately began seeking every opportunity to showcase her vocal skills in talent shows and school functions. These performances landed her several local news paper article write ups and some coveted radio spins for a song she recorded locally for the local 209 Idol contest which was held by KWIN 97.7
/98.3 in San Joaquin County, California.

But it wasn't until spring of 2008, while in her senior year of high school, that Merna would receive her first taste of the big stage. Upon entering the Capital Music Awards singing competition in Sacramento, Merna immediately solidified herself in the competition as a force to be reckoned with. Performing on Good Day Sacramento and having write ups in multiple newspapers in the Central Valley for taking home runner-up honors which landed her a $2500 Wells Fargo scholarship award, was proof to Merna that she is that "needle in the hay stack."

No less than one month after winning the scholarship, Merna was discovered on YouTube by Multiplatinum Production/Songwriting team, The Beastmastas, and is now signed to an artist development deal with N’Fluential Music Group out of Atlanta. Merna’s new style and sound is deeply rooted in Assyrian/Middle Eastern culture, which gives her a whole different path and direction for her music career. "I've always wanted to be the first full blooded
Middle Eastern singer to make it really big singing in America. Although I was raised in North Hollywood, I'm still very much a part of the Assyrian-American community and I want to show everyone in the states just how wonderful and talented my people can be. We’ve gotten such a bad rap in the US due to the ignorance of extremist groups, and I just want to help restore the love in America for Middle Easterners in the states."

When asked how she plans to set herself apart, Merna quickly replies, “I know a lot of people see me and assume I can’t sing. But I’m okay with that, because I know God gave me a gift and my hope is that when I open my mouth, people will change their perception of me as an artist. My managers always point out to me that, if you look at the record sales reports from Soundscan each week, the artists today who are selling millions of copies are the same ones who will go down as legends in music like Alicia Keys, Mariah, Beyonce, and Justin Timberlake. The common denominator in those artists is that they don’t use any fancy studio tricks or voice altering processors to make themselves sound better…they just sing. And those are the artists who end up having careers, and that’s what I want, a career…not just a record deal.”

Bottom line….Merna CAN SING! She sounds the same live as she does on her recordings; and with the help of her producers/songwriters at N’Fluential Music Group, coupled with her amazing God given talents of singing, dancing, and acting, this young superstar in the making is destined for legendary success!

~ 2008 Credits & Awards ~

- Over 20,000 downloads of Debut Hit Single (available NOW at www.AlwaysMerna.com)
- Capital Music Awards, 2nd Place Winner out of 500 contestants
- Up for 209 Music Awards, Best R&B Artist and Best Teen Star (taking place in Jan. 2009)
- Frontpage of Turlock Newspaper
- Radio Interviews
- Recognized as a celebrity supporter of American Cancer Society
- Major artist development deal with Multiplatinum/Award Winning, N'Fluential Music Group

Family, performing/singing live, recording, songwriting, discussing and critiquing music, watching movies and sketch comedy and reinacting the scenes.

Grammys, Oscars, Tony Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Billboard Awards, MTV Music Awards, and any other awards I can attain. I don't aim low =o]

Merna has 59 people in her network.(Click here to view all 59)

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