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Aret

Poster: Annanel Milnes-Smith 01/09/2006

SINGING SENSATION ARET ARRIVED IN MARBELLA LAST MONTH TO ROCK THE COAST, AND TALKED EXCLUSIVELY TO ANNABEL MILNES-SMITH ABOUT HER RAPID RISE TO FAME

Being the daughter of singer, actress, writer and artist Patti Boulaye could, for many, have been rather daunting, especially when it became time to decide which career path to follow. Aret Komlosy had her heart set on becoming a lawyer, and indeed qualified after four years training. However, she decided that being tied to a desk for the foreseeable future was not for her. With that in mind, from an early age she was not only passionate about becoming an integral part of the judiciary system, but also shared a passion with her mother about becoming a solo artist. Due to her sheer determination and unwavering enthusiasm, this has now become a reality. I was lucky enough to catch up with her before her performance in Marbella last month alongside the Sugababes.
Aret, 29, is no stranger to Marbella, having been every year with her parents. "We used to stay at Los Monteros. I have such fond memories of running around the beach. I always remember one particular time of my mother swanning around in six-inch high heels and massive sunglasses. She was always like that, so glamorous. I always had the most amazing time. It is so beautiful here. To this day Los Monteros is my favourite destination."
It was intriguing to glean an insight into her dramatic career change, and learn if Aret found it tough becoming a solo artist in the shadow of her mother's continuing monumental success. "The refreshing aspect is that my mother and I perform in completely different areas. She has starred in musicals and theatre and even trained as an opera singer. She is in that world, and I am now embarking on a career in the pop industry. It's not hard at all, as she has years and years of experience and she has handed that down to me. As far as people knowing who she is, let's face it, it can only help."

What is the best advice she has ever given you?
"Not to take it too seriously, and to stay grounded, focused and true to myself. She also advises me to pray, as she is very religious," Aret explains with a girlish giggle.

So are you very religious?
"Yes, but not as much as she is. She really has the most incredible faith in the Roman Catholic Church."

What drew you into a singing as a career?
"I have always loved singing, but thought I should be sensible and finish my law degree. I thought now I have achieved that, the time is right to see if I can break into the industry. I was incredibly lucky as I was doing an opening night at the Hippodrome. Lee Ryan from boy band Blue was performing later on, and he came up to me after I had performed and said, 'I would really like you to meet my management.' I went and saw them, they took me on, and that was it."

There have been many rumours about your relationship with Lee. Was it purely professional?
"Yes, I know, but there have been rumours about Lee and everyone. I think it is because he has a bit of a reputation, but the rumours are absolutely not true!"

Do you have a man in your life?
"I do indeed. His name is Mislav Kapetanovic. We met at university studying law and he is from Croatia."

Have you any plans to marry?
"I think we do."

When?
"It's difficult right now because we are living in different countries but as soon as we get the distance thing sorted out, it will be as soon as possible."

Lee was not the only one to recognise Aret's outstanding talent. David Giles from Awesome Events, one of Europe's leading concert promoters, staged the Highclere Rocks Concert in aid of the Countryside Alliance, with such names as Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton and Georgie Fame performing, and he felt the time was right to propel Aret into the limelight by positioning her in the line-up on the night. I was intrigued to discover how Aret felt about starring alongside such rock legends.
"It was amazing, especially with Georgie Fame performing, because when I was growing up he did a film with my Mum, so to see him was incredible. It was strange being surrounded by them, but when they all went on stage it was unbelievable. I will admit it was rather nerve-racking but an amazing experience. At the time I was just starting out on my career and to be given an opportunity like that was mind-blowing, and all down to David Giles. Now in Marbella David has given me another chance as the lead-in act for the Sugababes concert."

In your wildest dreams, who would you aspire to be like?
"I think probably Sade. Not only is she half Nigerian and I am as well. She manages to keep herself as quite a private person despite selling huge amounts of records, and being the most amazing singer. I met her recently, and she looked exactly the same as I remembered her years ago. I thought, 'Oh my God, you're incredible.'"

What has been the highest and lowest point of your career?
"I think my highest point is going to be performing alongside the Sugababes, here in Spain. As far as my lowest point is concerned, I don't think I have really gone far enough yet to have one, fingers crossed."

You have been taken under the wing of music giant Sony BMG and are soon to launch your first solo album. This must be a turning point in your career...
"I have actually been with them for three or four months as a developing artist, but they have not signed me up, yet! My first single is coming out probably in May next year. The music is going to be quite eclectic. It will fall into the same kind of category as Sade, and there isn't too much music like that on the market right now."

Have you ever co-starred with your mother, Patti, in her critically acclaimed, self-penned musical Sun Dance?
"Yes, I performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in the production. We then moved on to the Royal Albert Hall. However, when it was put on at Hackney recently, I had a hand in co-producing it."

What film roles have you starred in?
"I acted in Solomon and Sheba with Ben Cross. That was my first film. The casting director met me at Miss World."

What was it like working with Ben?
"He was really, really cool. I liked him enormously. He was so easy to talk to."

Aret has also landed parts in two other films, The Queen of Sheba and The Sea of Change, and has a modelling contract with leading UK agency Select Model Management.

What was it like not only competing in Miss World but winning the title of Miss World Nigeria in 1996?
"It was rather weird being crowned, as the Nigerians don't really take the beauty industry that seriously. It was quite low-key. The actual experience of the competition was incredible. We were flown out to the Seychelles for the swim-suit part, and the girls were amazing, but of course being stuck with a hundred girls for three weeks can get a little bit interesting!"

Do you one day hope to be on Broadway?
"I haven't thought of that seriously but it would be lovely to follow in my mother's footsteps."

What is your mother currently working on?
"She is mainly concentrating on Sport for Africa, which is her AIDS and malaria awareness charity. She builds clinics in Africa. She has three so far. We recently went back to Nigeria to open the third one."

Back to your music career, have you ever considered playing in a band?
"When I was much younger someone approached me and asked me precisely that. I decided against it as, firstly, it's quite difficult having to contend with character clashes and egos, and I really prefer being by myself."

When you were a child, did you always have your heart set on a singing career?
"I loved watching my mother perform, but I actually wanted to be a lawyer and, as you know, when I actually got there I changed my mind rapidly. Before I qualified I was working in the shipping department of Clifford Chance. I was watching this guy that I was working with, all day every day working his fingers to the bone, and I thought, 'I cannot deal with this', and went straight back into show business. One of my first performances was dancing on the Generation Game"

What do you think of your co-stars, the Sugababes?
"I cannot think of another girl band out there that is in their league. Performing with them is certainly going to be character building. Everyone who has worked with them has said they are divine. Their music is unique; there is nothing else like it that comes close."

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
"I want everything, as well as family and children. At the end of the day, I just want to write and perform for as long as I can, as long as people will have me, to be quite honest with you. That's it really!"

Aret will always bless the day that David Giles came into her life and recognised her undeniably exceptional talent. With Aret's own vocal style and a voice that creates intimacy and subtle sensuality, which envelops all who listen, she will undoubtedly shoot into the charts when she launches her album in May.

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