Camels, desert safaris and performing for Dubai fans – Laura Marano is in the UAE and loving it

Disney teen star Laura Marano is in Dubai as part of the city's Summer Surprises entertainment programme.

Laura Marano performing at Dubai International Airport Courtesy Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment

Her TV show Austin and Ally commands more than six million viewers. She has been nominated for a Teen Choice Award this year. And she's music-label mates with Taylor Swift.

Disney’s 19-year-old star Laura Marano has perfected the formula that brought success to many before her – from Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez to Zac Efron.

Accompanied by her parents on what is her first Middle East tour, the teenager was at Dubai’s Modhesh World on Wednesday, August 5, to judge a talent contest, and will be signing and meeting fans at Ibn Battuta Mall 5pm onward on Thursday, August 6, as part of the Dubai Summer Surprises Starz series this year.

Marano is perky and animated during the interview. She seems unfazed by the packed schedule, and admits to surviving on very little rest – "I'm used to it," Marano tells me – much like her four seasons on Austin and Ally where she was juggling school and shoots. She has also starred in Dexter and Without a Trace.

Now that the show has ended, and has been nominated for four Teen Choice Awards (August 16), Marano has made music and college a priority.

What was the first touristy thing you did in Dubai?

I went for a desert safari and we did it just before sunset so it wasn’t unbearable because of the heat. I was on a camel, so that was awesome. The food is so amazing. It was actually my parents 25th wedding anniversary on Tuesday. When DSS approached me to be a part of their 25 days of summer, I was like ‘Yes, please!’ What better way to celebrate their anniversary than in Dubai?

You judged a talent show last night. What do you think about the opportunity given to these kids to display their skills?

There is no doubt that this is a very tough business to get into, but I think that kids find out how much their love signing or acting at a young age. I was a huge fan of the Disney Channel growing up, so I was being judged by Hilary Duff of Lizzie McGuire. I would be freaking out.

Since your sister Vanessa is an actress as well, did the opportunity in this industry just present itself or did you have to work hard to get your foot in the door?

My mom owns a children’s theatre and we grew up there. We loved performing and told her we wanted to become actresses but she refused. But the Marano girls don’t take no for an answer and we continued to beg her for two years. We guilt-tripped her into it and finally she decided to get us an agent. She thought she’d find a tough agent who would dissuade us because she didn’t want us to be in the business. I was 5 at the time and my sister was 8. He signed us both.

How is your music album coming along?

Back in March I signed with Big Machine Records. They are known for their roster of country artists and they also have this artist that I’m obsessed with named Taylor Swift, which is crazy. I’m now her label mate. I’m pop with a little bit of rock into it. Taylor ventured into the pop world and rocked it out. Big Machine is continuing on that path, so it is exciting. I have been writing for my album for two years. It will be out early next year, hopefully my single will be out sooner. I; m excited for my fans to hear me sing. Obviously they’ve heard me in Austin and Ally but this is the first time they’ll get to hear my music.

What were the emotions on set when you wrapped up the final season of Austin and Ally?

I have worked on a lot of sets but nothing can compare to my Austin and Ally experience. I’ve made family for life. We didn’t even know there would be a fourth season, so it was like our senior year at Disney Channel. The show has had such a huge effect on all of our lives. We were all crying on our last day.

Any other acting projects on the cards?

Music is my number one priority. I am auditioning for other stuff but right now music is where I want to go.

You’ve got your sights set on a college degree.

Yes. I’m starting at a college in California in three weeks. I’m doing my major in Politics, Philosophy and Law. Because I have a lot on my plate, I’ll be doing it part-time. So I have every intention of getting a degree, I just might get it when I’m 30. Both my parents are teachers, so education has always been important. I still take action classes, voice and piano lessons, but I also want to learn about every subject that I possibly can. I want to meet people who have stories, that’s the coolest part of education, that you can’t ever learn enough.

You are a supporter of a few causes, as well. Are you planning to support more charities this year?

It is important to give back. I will continue to be a supporter of Unicef and work with them whenever possible. I still work with the Humane Society of the United States and do Meatless Monday. I love volunteering and giving a voice to as many charities as possible. I was recently at the Starkey Hearing Foundation gala. Just watching the children in third world countries gaining the ability to hear with hearing aid given to them made me tear up. It just proves how connected we all are.

Your life is like an open book, but tell us something that not many people know about you.

I feel like my fans could work for the FBI, they know everything about me! but one thing that might not know is that I used to knit. We had a knitting club and for some reason, as an 8-year-old, I was like, I want to knit. I’m not that good anymore but it’s a handy skill just in case I need to knit a sweater or a scarf.

• Laura Marano is at Ibn Battuta Mall at 5pm on Thursday, August 6. For more information, visit www.modheshworld.com