He watched as the hopes of four fellow contestants were shattered when the four judges told each of them they were not good enough to qualify for the final stages of the competition – the live episodes that begin this weekend and will be broadcast on Friday and Saturday.
But Abdouli, who lives in Fujairah, took it in his stride and calmed his nerves the only way he knows – by plastering a big grin on his face.
The Egyptian producer Hassan El Shafei, normally such a stern judge, said he had been impressed by Abdouli’s positivity throughout the audition process.
“I like the smile on his face – so confident,” he said, before the Emirati judge Ahlam proudly told Abdouli that he had made the cut.
Since then, the smile has never left Abdouli’s face. He is the only Emirati who made it through to the final stages and, as well as the fans he has already accumulated throughout the UAE, he says he is particularly touched by the compliments he has received from his home emirate.
“Of course, all Emirati people are proud of me, especially in Fujairah,” he says. “I am getting positive feedback from my family and friends. And I am receiving lots of messages and calls to congratulate me.”
Abdouli’s vocal talent emerged during his early days at school. He remembers singing with friends and family popular tunes by Emirati luminaries such as Hussain Al Jassmi, Mehad Hamad and Ahlam.
But it was only after he recently completed an electrical engineering degree at Abu Dhabi's Zayed University that he seriously began considering showcasing his talents by auditioning for the third season of Arab Idol.
“I had the thought ever since season one and my friends always encouraged me to participate, but my studies were my priority,” he says. “This season came directly after my graduation, so I didn’t hesitate to go to the auditions.
"I didn't think about Arab Idol as a goal in my life, but after getting my degree I asked myself: 'Why not give my talent a chance?'"
He took his opportunity, but with careful preparation. He chose to make his debut on the show with a cover of the Yemeni rising star Balkis Ahmed Fathi's Arbaa Dakayek (which translates to "four minutes") because of his passion for the ballad: "I love the feelings the song emanates."
In the second round, he explored his rich tenor with a rendition of Ahlam's hit Ghalat Oyounak.
From now on, each performance will be delivered live in front of an estimated audience of up to one hundred million viewers from across the Arab world. But Abdouli is keeping himself grounded by staying in touch with his Fujairah buddies.
“They are close to my heart,” he says. “I studied in Abu Dhabi and I have many colleagues there. But in Fujairah I have my childhood friends and I have lots of memories in this emirate.”
As for carrying the hopes of the country on his shoulders, Abdouli says he is embracing the challenge to spur him on throughout the competition.
“Of course, I am not representing the UAE only but all Gulf countries, and it is my responsibility to impress the entire Arab world,” he says.
If that was not enough, he says he will always rely on his default optimism to carry him through the pressures of live television.
“I believe that a smile could bring positive energy and thoughts,” he says. “It also facilitates communication and makes it less complicated, while bringing people closer to one another.”
• Arab Idol is broadcast live on MBC1 on Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm. Visit www.mbc.net for more information
sasaeed@thenational.ae
