Exclusive Podcast: Dubai's Real Housewives Taleen Marie

Welcome to the 'Impact Through Voice' blog, where we dive into conversations with some of the most interesting people shaping our cultural landscape. I'm Lisa Hugo, and in today’s post, we’re peeling back the curtain on a multifaceted gem of a guest. She’s not only made her mark on the glittering world of reality TV as the newest member of the Real Housewives of Dubai, but she’s also a talented singer, a creative songwriter, a dedicated fitness trainer, and above all, a mom juggling it all with grace.

I was joined by Taleen Marie, and it was a reunion for us because I used to be Taleens vocal coach when she first moved to Dubai…

Taleen

It feels like just yesterday when I landed in Dubai, fresh from LA, on the hunt for someone who could steer my voice back on track. You know, back in Los Angeles, you can't throw a stone without hitting a vocal coach. But Dubai? That was a whole new ball game.

I still laugh thinking about how I found you online, sifting through endless testimonials, crossing my fingers you'd be the real deal. And wow, you were. That first phone call, your voice was just a beacon of hope. I was thinking, "Please let her be the one to help me through this rough patch."

Then, walking into your studio, it was like this instant click. You had this vibe that just spelled out 'home.' We had a long road ahead with my vocal issues, but your patience? Man, it was like this incredible safety net.

In our candid chat, Taleen Marie, the newest face of the 'Real Housewives of Dubai,' shares her raw and authentic journey into reality TV. Swapping one of the original housewives, Nina Ali, Taleen wrapped filming a few months back and is bracing for the show's release, teasing us with a trailer expected to drop soon.

Taleen reflects on the stark differences between her background in the entertainment industry and the new world of reality TV, admitting to the vulnerable exposure of her family life and personal emotions. Despite the initial hesitation, the decision to join the show was purposeful. With the role of a mother central to her identity, Taleen felt compelled to showcase this aspect authentically. She decided to use the show as a platform to empower women, sharing her struggles with fertility and postpartum depression, topics often considered taboo in Middle Eastern culture.

By opening up about her own experience, Taleen aspires to create a dialogue on these critical issues, reassuring women that it's okay not to be okay. She advocates for the importance of seeking help and finding strength in avenues like fitness, which played a pivotal role in her recovery. Taleen's mission goes beyond entertainment; she aims to foster connection and support among women facing similar challenges, making her role on the show much more than just another reality TV stint.

Journey in the Music Industry

Taleen discovered her love and knack for performing from a tender age, and she has been lighting up stages ever since. Even though she started singing before she could speak, according to her mother, she seriously embraced her passion for music at six. Participating in professional opera productions and resonating her voice in jam-packed stadiums by her teenage years, Taleen quickly ascended to the pop R&B scene.

However, amid the glitz and glamor of her career, Taleen encountered a daunting obstacle: nodules on her vocal cords. Suddenly, her voice, which had been her identity in the music industry, seemed to falter. Yet, Taleen refused to let this setback overpower her. With the aid of her vocal coach, Lisa Hugo, she steadily regained her voice, illustrating her remarkable resilience.

Transition into Fitness

Parallel to music, fitness has also been an integral component of Taleen’s journey. Since fitness played an instrumental role in preparing her for her performances, she decided to share her insights with Dubai’s fitness community upon relocating. Her passion for helping and empowering women further drove her to specialize in postpartum fitness, imparting her knowledge and experiences to women during the critical post-birth phase.

Embracing Motherhood: A Rollercoaster of Emotions

Motherhood, however, introduced Taleen to a new series of trials. After enduring the heartbreak of three miscarriages, she was confronted with the challenge of grappling with her mental health post-childbirth. Transitioning from the jubilation of finally having her daughter to the relentlessness of postpartum depression and anxiety was extremely taxing. Nevertheless, with the unwavering support of her family and the embodiment of her fitness motto – strength and resilience – Taleen gradually overcame this tumultuous phase.

Impacting Through Voices

Taleen’s incredible trajectory symbolizes her strength, resilience, and determination. Undeterred by the setbacks she confronted in her path, she channeled them into empowering herself and others. As she asserts, the hurdles we encounter in life should not hinder our progress; rather, they should reinvigorate us to come back stronger and pave our ways to success.

Suffering from vocal difficulties, Taleen resorted to embrace a more intricate understanding of her voice, eventually regaining her lost power and leaving an indelible impact on her audience. As a fitness trainer, she encouraged women to embrace their bodies, share their struggles, and prioritize their mental health. And as a voraciously expressive mother, she revealed the menacing face behind the joyous façade of childbirth, validating the fears and anxieties of countless women around the globe.