‘Listen to yourself and be’

“I can describe myself in two words: love and simplicity,” Mennel told the Egyptian Mail.

Mennel lives in France with her parents and sisters. An avid reader and pet lover, she made music from an early age.

“I had a passion to deeply connect with people. When I was twelve, I started to write my own songs. At first, I didn’t think you have to be talented to sing. I thought everyone could sing and feel the music.

“At the time, I had the best marks in music classes. Since then, I realised that I have certain abilities in this field, “she said.

Mennel always listens to her heart as she believes that music is related to feelings. “I go deeper – far from everything – I am in my own bubble,” she said.
Mennel rose to fame through two talent shows.

“I competed in The Voice in 2016 and 2017. They insisted I come on their stage after they saw me on YouTube. Before The Voice, I had zero classes. I was teaching myself. But after my experience on this show, I started to learn from other singers,” she said.

Mennel’s audience is international so she tries to meet their aspirations despite their different cultures and backgrounds.

“To me, music is a universal language which allows me to express myself. The feeling of music knows no boundaries. When I compose a song, I try to find emotions that can be felt by everyone regardless of language. This is the biggest challenge — language is just a tool,” she said.

Mennel quoted one of her teachers at university, who said: “People may forget what you said and what you did. But they never forget how you made them feel.”

“I always remember that. I want to be remembered for the feelings, especially that I am a hyper-sensitive person. The journey of music for me is a journey of feeling,” she said.

“I want to bring peace joy love in people’s hearts. I do not want to be a singer who just makes people even more depressed. People need support.”

Mennel has won worldwide popularity. One concerts of which she proud was in Jordan for the King. Her appearance in America’s Got Talent in Los Angeles was also special for her.
Despite the success, Mennel’s career journey was not plain-sailing.

“My first challenge was to identify who I am and how to go on with this identity. How to keep my head up and leave everything that is negative behind. Eventually, I discovered myself and that music from is a passion and mission of life not just a job.”

Mennel told this newspaper that she has several role models.

I have singers, and writers like Brazilian Paulo Coelho. His writings bring peace to my brain and help me understand the world inside and outside me.”
As for her WYF appearance World Youth Forum, Mennel said that she was impressed with the City of Peace, namely Sharm el-Sheikh.

“As soon as I arrived in there, I saw the mountains. I felt there is power in the place. It is powerful. The WYF was the first stage that made me feel like ‘wow!’”
On meeting people from many countries, Mennel said: “ I felt we have one thing in common: we want to express and spread love.”

“The WYF is like a rebirth. After two years of chaos and sickness, people go back again and rise up from aches. We can live again and, this is exactly the slogan of the forum ‘Back Together’.”

After the closing ceremony, Mennel received much positive feedback on the song Insan (I am a Human).

“People got the message and the feeling. We all the same despite the difference or challenges we are facing. It is a difficult time for all of us,” she said.
Buoyed up with positive energy from the forum, Mennel spoke about her future plans.

“Now, I am working on the album to be released this year. I am also working on my book where I highlight my thoughts about music and my vision of life.
“I want to tell everybody: do not let the voices outside tell you what to do. Listen to yourself and your heart. Be yourself .”