Now more than ever, people all over the world are uniting via the Internet and using it as a means to to inspire, motivate, entertain and offer courage to one another. As terrible as the Coronavirus is, it’s something that has hopefully broken open the boundaries of empathy and extended it to not only those in your close circle, but around the world.
Now United, the global pop group created by Simon Fuller, have been uniting different people from different cultures since 2017. The group consists of 15 different members, each of different nationality. American member Noah Urrea sits down with Celeb Secrets to talk about the group’s participation in tomorrow’s Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Fourth Annual Walk & Play L.A. presented by Disney, as well being in Now United while bonding over the fact that Laguna Beach has by far the best beaches in Orange County.
In response to COVID-19 and in consideration of the health and safety of participants, volunteers and staff, this year’s event will be virtual, designed for the whole family to take part in limited available indoor and outdoor space. Kicking off at 8:30AM on the Facebook Event page, the event will be hosted by KOST 103.5’s on-air personality Ellen K and LA Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner with his wife Kourtney, with additional performances from Jason Mraz and LOOTE.
Celeb Secrets: Well we have so many things to talk about regarding Walk & Play LA, but I wanted to start by briefly talking about Now United. Especially right now during COVID-19, it seems like people all over the world are uniting via the internet. You know as terrible as COVID is, it’s something that everyone around the world can relate to. Now United has been uniting different people from different cultures and counties since 2017. Can you speak to that a little bit and how having relationships with people all over the world has offered you new perspective and appreciation for different cultures?
Noah Urrea: “I feel like before I was in Now United, it’s not that I was close-minded, but I didn’t necessarily know how wonderful and beautiful other places in the world are and how incredible their cultures can be. I was lucky enough to travel to some of these countries and it kind of opened my mind to learning about these different cultures. And I think social media is the perfect way to do that. I think that what’s so cool about Now United is that we do a lot of that. We connect a bunch of people from all over the world. And I’ve heard from countless numbers of fans that they met friends and someone from Brazil became friends with someone from Australia because they bonded over Now United and bonded over music.”
CS: That’s awesome and just goes to show how important it is for people to get out of their comfort zones and experience other cultures. Is there one experience from visiting another county with Now United that stands out to you?
NU: “I feel like every country we go to has something beautiful and unique about it. For me, I personally love fashion. One time we were in Tokyo and we got to go shopping in the streets and see the whole underground fashion scene and it was super cool. That was one of my favorite experiences — shopping and eating ramen for the entire week.”
CS: So you guys are performing at Walk & Play LA this Saturday. Obviously due to COVID, this event will now take place virtually. How does one go about preparing a virtual performance let alone one that requires the participation of 15 different people in 15 different countries?
NU: “You know what, one thing that’s so crazy about Now United is that we always find ways to do things. And we found ways to record ourselves singing live and just mashed it all together. It’s really awesome what we could do that from far away. I’m excited for you guys to see what we prepared.”
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CS: Why is Walk and Play L.A. and it’s goal to celebrate and promote the well-being of children in Los Angeles while raising critical funds to support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles important to you and the members of Now United?
NU: “For me personally, it’s local and its always great to support local things. This is like way bigger because we have the opportunity to help save lives. There are all sorts of things going on in the world that are crazy, but Children’s Hospital Los Angeles always seems to be taking such good care of their patients, so the least we can do is help out with this event.”
CS: Participants have the option to donate to COVID relief funds as well. Obviously COVID is a terrible disease, but there is so much negativity and sadness in the air right now. I truly believe every cloud has a silver lining. Is there something in the past several months during quarantine that has been your silver lining? Maybe sometime to pause and reflect?
NU: “I feel like this time more than ever I’ve been more creative than I have been in the past couple years. Just trying to use this time to make as much art as I can which has been very therapeutic and great for me.”
CS: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, I’ll let you after you give us a secret. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a secret, just something fans might not know about you.
NU: “Let me think. I should have been prepared for this question (laughs). This is less of a secret and more of a fun fact… When I was a kid, I played baseball and I was a pitcher. Every time I would pitch, I’d be singing on the mound and do a little dance with my butt. I was like 12-years-old and people would always laugh at me but that’s sort of a little embarrassing fact that not too many people know about me”
CS: Was there a song in particular you would sing!?
NU: “Oh probably something off the My World 2.0 album.”
