Rock Out

Alluring Allegra

– Hanging Out With Horses, Nadal & James Blunt!

Breaking into the US Billboard Dance and UK Music Week Commercial Pop Charts with her debut single ‘All About Us,’ this young rising star recently collaborated with Kiss FM’s DJ Majestic for a magical remix of her No.2 hit single all about self-love. Celebrity Journalist Angela Sara West chats exclusively with Allegra for Surrey Rocks Magazine about her latest empowering track, her Spice Girls and Wimbledon tennis connections, celebrating her new ambassadorial role for a mental health charity with horses, and her new music, inspirations, plus plans for the future!

Alluring Allegra

Showcasing sincerity since her music debut ‘All About Us’ in 2018, this sensational singer/ songwriter is all about keeping it real. Excelling in the ever-growing world of dance-pop, her last release, ‘If You Wanna Love Me’, hit the No.2 spot in the Music Week Commercial Pop Charts.

Her latest track, ‘He Ain’t You’, which Allegra recently announced on BBC’s Playlist Show, is already achieving accolades a-go-go.

“Finding out that ‘If You Wanna Love Me’ was No.2 in the Music Week Charts was just so incredible!” Allegra tells me. “I had a lot of fun filming the music video, as it gave me a more 70’s disco vibe. Everyone has been enjoying the song, and I’ve been getting so much love from all the DJs!”

MAJESTIC REMIX

So much so that Kiss FM’s DJ Majestic made a magical remix of the popular single.

“My team approached Majestic with no expectations really and getting the ‘phone call from him to say that he loved the track and wanted to do a remix was just so unexpected!” she explains. “I remember listening to it on Kiss FM and I was just dancing around my kitchen in my PJ’s!”

She shot the music video here in Surrey, in a bowling alley in Guildford. The fun-loving party girls’ inspiration behind her empowering track? “It’s important to me that every song that I release has an empowering message… I don’t want to release songs just for the sake of it. I work very hard with my team, and I make sure that my vision is put out in every project.”

“It’s all about knowing your worth,” she says of her last single, which stresses the importance of self-care. “That particular track is all about self-love and not needing someone to make you feel loved, and I just love that message.”

“When I made my New Year’s resolutions, I said that this is a year to be selfish and to become the best version of myself,” the young popstar reveals. “I found that 2021 was a very difficult year for myself and many others, so this year, I’m putting myself first and I’m just gonna love myself. I think that’s more important. So, I now just focus on the things that I love… well, the THING that I love… which is music.”

HE AIN’T YOU

She says her latest release, ‘He Ain’t You’, also reflects on personal experience. “So, it’s about how you’ve met the perfect person, who treats you like a princess, but you just end up craving the guy you used to be with who treated you badly. I know the old person cheated on me and forgot about me and didn’t really care, but you just crave the other person. You can’t help it…”

How has the new track been received so far? “Very well! It’s just entered the music pop charts and is working its way up! This is definitely something very different, and I think my fans will see a different side to me and how I have developed as an artist. I think everyone will see a slight change in my musical style… exciting things are coming!”

FOLLOWING IN SPICEY FOOTSTEPS

With five singles and a multitude of remixes under her musical belt, fast-rising artist Allegra offers words of love, empowerment, defiance, power and reliability through her catchy melodies coupled with direct lyrics and infectious beats.

“You always think that once a song is out it should be fastpaced, but there’s a lot of work going on behind it,” she explains.

The spirited pop star, co-managed by Matt Meyers and Surrey-based Chris Herbert (who co-founded The Spice Girls), sets a positive mood with her feisty anthems of assertiveness, enjoying an empowering, confident vibe. Her infectious hits are described as dynamic dance-pop tunes that instantly make life feel brighter. “They show the importance of valuing ourselves and never settling for less than what we want or deserve,” Allegra reveals.

MUSIC ICONS

Her musical heroes? “My parents gave me a CD player and the music I loved playing was Alicia Keys, The Saturdays, Alexandra Burke, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Amy Macdonald… I was also given a bright pink microphone and would just sing all the songs in a mirror and pretend I was on stage with them!”

“I also love love love Beyoncé! I admire her work ethic, too… it’s really inspirational. I watched her documentary, and she very much wants to be the first person and last person in the room, and it inspired me to put the hard work in as well.”

As for a collab, “I would really like to collaborate with Rita Ora,” Allegra discloses. “She’s kind of like a childhood hero and she’s just so cool, and I feel like we’d get on very well writing a song and doing a music video together. She seems very cool and I love her fashion sense. Whenever I’m doing an inspirational outfit, I always look at images of Rita.”

Alluring Allegra’s also all about fashion. “I LOVED doing this shoot with you and Earl, Angela! He’s such a fab photographer and these outfits from Ruby La La are GORGEOUS… really cool. I especially enjoyed rocking the black jumpsuit and the silver sparkly dress!”

BBC SATURDAY MASH-UP

Allegra recently showcased a captivating performance on CBBC’s ‘Saturday Mash Up’, a live entertainment show where ANYTHING can happen!

“We got the call just three days before, so we had only two days of rehearsals, plus the travel there, and because of Covid I hadn’t done any live performances for a long time. So, I just had to do it alone - rehearsing, vocal lessons and dance lessons as well.”

With live music, hilarious games, and stacks of slime, hosts Harpz Kaur, Joe Tasker and puppet monster Stanley (Dave Chapman) made sure Allegra had a ball…. “It’s a lot of fun! There was a live audience and all the sweet little kids… It was really fun to be back performing, and now I’ve got the bug for performing live again!”

TIK-TOK STAR

This talented singer is something of a TikTok star too. “I LOVE TikTok! I get quite embarrassed looking at my lockdown TikToks, ‘coz it feels like that was a weird phase for everyone… I don’t know if everyone feels the same, but I don’t want anyone to see them!

TikTok is a lot of fun and you can get your friends involved, and then having my own music on - it’s amazing to have all these influencers using my music… I had Tayler Holder from Hype House (who has billions of followers) using the song and all my friends were like, ‘Wow! This is so cool, how did this happen?’.... I’m like, ‘I don’t know!”

WIMBLEDON HERITAGE

With Wimbledon in full swing, the half Swiss-German singing star reveals a strong SW19 connection… “My mum used to be a professional tennis player and played at Wimbledon at a young age. She was quite famous and trained with Serena and Venus Williams. And she still plays at Wimbledon. So, I almost feel like I’m experiencing a part of her childhood and the hard work she went through as an athlete. She trained so much as a little girl and was traveling all over the world.”

Her name was Emily Bond, which was quite cool as the newspapers would call her ‘The Undefeated Bond!’

She has that work ethic as well. She’s so competitive and thrashes me when we play. She made a man cry once on court! All my friends are scared to play with her… She loves her tennis!”

“I think she would have done really well, had she pursued it… But if she hadn’t had quit, she wouldn’t have met my dad, so… it all happens for a reason!” Her tennis icons? “I love Federer! Obviously, because he’s got Swiss in him, which I do, too... I think he’s so stylish. You see him against Nadal and it’s funny to see the Spanish kind of roughlooking stallion compared to the stylish Swiss!” she laughs.

What does she love the most about Wimbledon? “I love that everyone dresses up and enjoys strawberries with cream and Champagne,” she divulges. “I can’t WAIT for Lady Wimbledon’s Tennis Party on 2nd July at Warren House. Lots of famous faces will be there and we’ll be indulging in Pimm’s, Wimbledon Garden Gin, strawberries and cream, live entertainment and there’ll also be a big outdoor screen for watching the tennis. Come along and join in the fun!”

NEW MUSIC

This young pop star’s been busy working on new music lately. “I was a bit ill for a while with Covid and glandular fever, which kind of restricted things and was so boring because I’m so used to doing things. But I’m now happy to be back and have been writing a lot with two producers and recording, which has been really fun.”

This hardworking rising star is also still a student. “I’m studying History of Art at University. I’m also doing work experience in the Haynes Gallery. I say I’m only going to University for my parents (but don’t tell them that!) I mean, I said at the beginning of student life, ‘Yah, I can’t wait to learn things.’ And now I’m like ‘I can’t wait to leave…’ I just want to be doing my music!”

Back with her management team, she’s been doing just that. “I’ve been writing a lot of songs and I’m really excited about things because we were able to sit down and say, ‘What do you want? What sound do you want? What do you want the production to sound like?’”

This is ideal for hands-on Allegra as she adores having her own input. “It’s really important. I’ve always been very fussy, especially now that I’ve been doing this for a while… I’ve become even fussier! I’m also my very best own critic when it comes to recording. I record something a hundred times sometimes - I just want it to be perfect.”

Live performances will be coming up soon too, so watch this space!

HORSES HELPING OUR MENTAL HEALTH

With her latest track racing up the charts, any spare time sees Allegra in her rewarding role as a charity ambassador, raising awareness of the mental health charity Strength and Learning Through Horses.

“I’ve always loved charity work, ever since I was a little girl,” she explains. “As kids, with my cousins and siblings, we’d always come together on holiday and do performances. And I was the bossy one. And these performances weren’t two minutes long... they were hours long! We have a big family and we’d make my aunts

and parents come and we’d make them pay. We tried to do it every day to make more money to give to charity.” “So, I’ve always been into charity work, I guess, and I’ve always said to my team that I’m up for it if there’s opportunity for me to help a charity and I’m really excited about it.”

The equine-assisted education and therapy centre helps young people aged between 5-25 to overcome anxiety, stress and other mental health issues.

The ‘mane’ appeal of working with horses? “I used to do a little bit of riding, and my cousin trains horses, so horses have always been there!”

Allegra went through her own adversities at school. Diagnosed with dyslexia, her schools failed in providing or offering the support that she needed, causing a decline in her mental wellbeing.

Thankfully, music then came into her life, offering a muchneeded escape from the classroom. “I didn’t know if I was good at it, but I didn’t care…” she says. “It was a different world from the classroom, and when I sang I was in my element. My own person.”

Having endured her own hardships, she understands the importance of being able to access mental health support when it’s needed, which is why she was thrilled to become a Charity Champion for Strength and Learning Through Horses. “I really believe in the work that they do,” she says.

‘YOU’RE NEVER ALONE’ – ALLEGRA ON MENTAL HEALTH

Her message to teens and young adults struggling with their mental health? “A lot of people struggled with mental health during the lockdowns and I really struggled, too… What’s important is to be close to the ones you love. Try to open up - you’re not alone. There are people who do love you if you think that they don’t… you have your family, siblings, cousins and friends, there are people who love and care, so just open up and know that people are there for you.” Allegra has advice aplenty on the mental health benefits of music, reading, writing and crafting, too. “I always make playlists for different moods, and I think that helps. You need to find little things that can help you along when you’re feeling a little bit down… Everyone has their days… I mean … I was crying yesterday for no reason,” she reveals. “Even if you don’t love music, try things like reading a book, or writing poetry or scrapbooking. Find something that is therapeutic. Whenever I want to communicate something, I write letters. It’s just finding the little things that help you and, obviously, communication is key. People think they’re alone but they’re not.”

LEAD YOUR OWN WAY

“I guess every teenager goes through a phase where they think, ‘I have to look a certain way and I have to do this because everyone is doing it.’ I’m a shepherd, not a sheep. I like to lead my own way. I like being my own person. Self-care, I guess, is just doing what you love. If you don’t like to do sports, that’s fine. If wearing face masks help you then do that. It’s all about loving yourself.”

Allegra’s now living her ‘best life’ to the full, with a buzzy bunch of girlfriends in SW London. “They are Uni friends and I’m just having the best time! I just recently moved out of home, so I’m happy to have my own space. I come from a big family home, so it can be a lot sometimes, but at the same time, I haven’t moved far from my family home. I went to boarding school as a young girl, so I love being with my friends. I’m quite the socialite. I love socialising, going out, and dancing.”

What’s up next for Allegra? “There are a few tracks and a new EP will be coming soon. I’m pushing my team, who have worked with me since I was 14, so they’ve seen me grow up and my last video was quite like racy! It was filmed in a bath, and there’s a shower scene with a guy… I loved it! I wasn’t at all scared and I’m very open, and I was like, ‘Come in everyone!’ So, I’m now like, ‘Come on guys. Let’s go!’ I’m very fast-paced too, I want to do this, this and this! I like doing behind-the-scenes Vlogs during music videos, which a lot of pop artists won’t do because it’s so busy but I’m always like ‘No, I have to do it’, ‘cos I always want to see behind the scenes from the artists. I always like to bring that extra bit.”

And what does the future hold for Allegra? “I definitely want to release a lot more music… I just want to focus on music and loving my friends, my family and myself!”

Allegra’s latest release: ‘He Ain’t You’ is out now on Radikal Records Follow Allegra on Instagram: @allegraworld Strength and Learning Through Horses: @strengthandlearningthruhorses Words by: Angela Sara West @angela_sara_west Fashion: Ruby La La Boutique, Farnham @rubylalaboutique Photography: Earl Santos /Wackpaper 17 @wackpaper17photography Make-up Artist: Beth McKendrick @bethmckendrickmakeup

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