Dubai prince lives a double life as Filipino POP-STAR?! - The Mystery of Sheikh Ali Al Maktoum

Hey guys, today we will be talking about the absurd story of Sheikh Ali Rashed Ali Saeed Al Maktoum. Originally claiming to be a Dubai prince, Sheikh Ali was set to open a 500 million dollar family office in Hong Kong...that was... until people recently discovered that this supposed "Dubai Prince" is actually "Alira" - a pop star recently went viral in the Philippines!
So how did this happen? Keep watching to find out!
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#杜拜王子 #家族辦公室 #阿里王子 #ppop #hongkong
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Credits:
- Research by: Evangeline
- Editing by: Evangeline
- Topic suggestion: Kobe

[@ploopy678]

So what are your theories? 🤔

[@Fleurblxr.]

i dont know. this is just....confusing???

[@jypapiisbae5134]

i think he was a singer behind the families back, when they found out from his sudden fame, they forced him into business and when people started realizing they made him disappear to avoid speculation edit: maybe the family was not super into the music industry and more into the business industry

[@kpopluver0494]

I also believe the 3rd theory

[@younghokim1994]

publicity stunt

[@allyssaearly-mccullom4964]

I don't want to pull the old Lifetime/Hallmark card but maybe he's being held against his parents will. Maybe a rebellious phase ?

[@koujin4406]

Alira disappeared once again to debut in korea with NCT

[@jorrdan.]

NCT Dubai coming soon

[@HarukiMarcos20]

Which is of course, just speculations obviously, so we do not know if this is verified and I can’t tell if you’re saying this is legit or just a joke

[@Mimia172]

Lmao

[@xyouji]

@@HarukiMarcos20its a joke

[@preciouslyunhinged]

😂😂😂

[@exowthyou]

Barbie princess and the popstar: a dubai prince finds his popstar look alike and they both decide to switch places with the help of their magic brush and magic mic

[@VeeaB]

Best theory so far

[@jaxxokumera]

This is comedy at its finest this is perfect😂

[@Lace.Coproof]

You are so getting hired as a story writer for this

[@celestia..]

his lashes are gorgeous im so jealous

[@lsgoh2357]

Same 😢

[@kiwiwooq]

Arab genes 😩

[@nitibagirlfrnorthcotabato]

They has a long thick eyelashes

[@matthew_983]

i feel like he is a real prince, he sings for a hobby because its what he likes. but then his family told him he cant sing anymore and have to do some real business now lol

[@Prinren]

That is my thought too

[@janeacusar]

It is so sad that their life is so controlled. Yes, they are rich, but deep inside, they're prisoners of their own wealth.

[@zackwang3026]

This is exactly what's going on

[@Vor567tez]

Lol he is scammer

[@ramilbangoy7248]

I think he's a low-key (distant) member of the Dubai royal family who thought he can get away with what he wants but was ultimately defeated. Here's why: 1. Dubai media didn't dispute his royal status, so he is a real prince. 2. He was raised by Filipino nannies. This explains his affinity for Filipino culture, fluency in Tagalog, and his love for singing. 3. He wanted to be a popstar and choosing the Philippines to jumpstart his career was a no-brainer (see #2). 4. As he got famous in Tiktok, his family got wind of his budding career as a singer and disapproved. The UAE gov't might have requested a mainstream media (and most likely other socmed platforms) news blackout in the Philippines. I'm Filipino and I've never heard of him until now. 5. The HK and UAE governments might have already been in talks about the investment months before Alira came into the picture. Since he was already in the region, he might have been under strict orders to abandon his popstar ambitions and represent the royal family in HK. 6. After hyping up the financial world of HK, he decided he can't do it anymore, dropped everything and went back to Dubai.

[@expatstef]

This man is very effeminate, likely not cis, which would not be acceptable in the UAE. However, in the Philippines there is quite wide acceptance which would make it a comfortable place for him to be who he wanted to be and live the way he wanted. I imagine he’s not in a good place right now 😔

[@ramilbangoy7248]

@@expatstef I've watched some videos of his interview by Philippine media, and I have to agree with you. in one he said his musical influences are Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Lani Misalucha (a famous Filipino singer). that confirmed my suspicions as to why the Dubai royal family wants him out of the limelight.

[@jewelpree970]

​@@ramilbangoy7248hahahahah certainly he's nannies' masterpiece 💪

[@carrieheartsmusic6797]

You always find the wildest stories 😂

[@AquaRunner533]

He's like a magical girl without the magic and transformation charm stuff

[@Hanni._.Bubblegum.]

Wait- that makes a lot of sense 😭😭

[@-Desire]

I agree, plus he has really lovely eyelashes...like every magical girl

[@danijeltomasevic]

Because it is a girl it's a ftm

[@barbaravankooten1686]

yes, his face lines, body, eyes, mouth, voice all looks very feminine

[@purplearies9746]

I need to hear this transformation music 😭

[@forthewin4063]

I cant believe u VISITED THE OFFICE OML 😂😂😂😂😂

[@kpopluver0494]

It's real dedication! ❤

[@brandoniswhoiam]

A LEGEND.

[@jorrdan.]

she’s so real lmao

[@biduIgi]

investigative journalism !

[@candiedbakery3832]

Timestamp?

[@margaesperanza]

Tbh the Philippines connection isn’t that weird if you consider the many Filipinos working for Emirati families (mostly as maids and nannies). He probably grew up around a lot of Filipino staff and just learned about the culture (and obsession with music).

[@braenpsy]

I also was baffled coz he chose to sing in my country???

[@tasneem3v]

I agree

[@mf0528]

There are 700K Filipinos in UAE and a potential market for his singing career.

[@mamabanana88]

Dude, I am from the Philippines, never heard of Alira; but this story is WILD.

[@chocosoy8692]

Same!!!

[@crimsonreed]

Same, idk him

[@bubot17]

Nice catch

[@sadiesadiemlady]

Why does bro have the most luscious, beautiful eyelashes in the universe

[@xonlyxjojox]

Ikr! Im arab and i have long eyelashes but NOT THOSE EYELASHES 👁️👄👁️

[@mimpikujadigurulaskarpelangi]

This has a plot similar to a movie. When a prince's family rejected his desire to pursue a career as a singer. He fled to the Philippines, thinking it was a third-world nation, and no one knew the true him. His career thereafter took off. His family was informed via tiktok. Thus, they issue the command. I will stop giving you the inheritance if you keep singing. Thus, the prince returns to carry on his family's business legacy. 😂

[@braenpsy]

Great telenovela material

[@persona5305]

except that Philippines is his chosen country because he may have Filipino nannies.

[@venktharish2329]

Indian film story

[@mangojelly23]

The way you visited the office omg 😂😂 this story was so random, the stunt theory makes sense imo

[@candiedbakery3832]

Timestamp?

[@bvrbvt05]

16:50

[@IKEMENOsakaman]

Out of all the countries, the Philippines?? I mean, it's not a muslim majority country, plus, it's geographically very far away. But it's cool how people nowadays move out of their comfort zone!

[@pianoteddybear]

That might be why he picked those countries. If both are fake personalities, two very different countries means little overlap in audience and shared social media.

[@brandoniswhoiam]

It’s a Muslim-minority country! Maybe he was trying to get into that demographic?

[@margaesperanza]

Another theory: many nannies and maids for the Emiratis are Filipino. I wouldn’t be shocked if he had a Filipino nanny or workers where he picked up a lot of the culture

[@ot6idle878]

There's actually a huge Filipino population in dubai, he could've been exposed to Filipino culture in dubai or had a lot of Filipino friends

[@silverstar501]

@pianoteddybear UAE and philippines/hong kong are far away. but philippines then hong kong? that was a very bad choice. there are more than 200k filipinos and they are the largest ethnic minority group in hong kong.

[@ot6idle878]

This is such a crazy story😭😭😭, also just a little side note: dubaian isn't really a word people from dubai are just emirati there's not really a word to refer to an emirati from a specific emirate

[@fatisummer9106]

Actually it's become a word as most ppl living in Dubai are foreigners not Emaratis

[@ot6idle878]

@fatisummer9106 I don't really hear people say it tho, foreigners don't get citizenship either so they're essentially just residents even if they were born here

[@fatisummer9106]

@@ot6idle878 Thats wrong ,you can get citizenship by living in Dubai for 30 years and a lot of Indians have Dubai citizenship, google dubai citizenship and find all the details ,foreigners living in Dubai feel more connected to Dubai rather than Emarate

[@ot6idle878]

@fatisummer9106 oh you're right my bad, where I live not alot of people have citizenship and most people won't stay for 30 yrs lol maybe people use dubaian in other places in dubai

[@saadalameri]

In Emirati Arabic there’s a term for people from each Emirate, ex. Abu Dhabi = Dhabiani, Sharjah, Sharjawi, Ras Al Khaima= Khaimawi etc, with the exception of Dubai, they are usually referred to as “people of Dubai” or maybe Waslawi (Al-Wasl is the old name of Dubai, but nowadays it’s mostly used to refer to the fans of Al-Wasl football club)

[@urldroidsuperbot2139]

It is not "Sheekh" it is "Shaykh". It seems he grew up in Philippines going by the fluency of Tagalog or had seriously learnt Tagalog with employees. The singer and the sheikh are obviously the same person. Royal families in the UAE are very large, consisting of hundreds of members. Only the direct descendants of the ruler and/or those holding ministerial portfolios are known to people.

[@escritora84]

What in the Jem and the Holograms mess lmao. Ploopy, I absolutely love your videos, you always find the most fascinating topics to talk about.

[@manolofloris6662]

He is gay so probably fake eyelashes 😂

[@mediocritycentral]

I'm a Filipino and I didn't even know he existed 😅 Yeah he's definitely NOT an ALister celeb

[@sakuraa1770]

Bro no offense to John Lee, but that damage control statement had me laughing my ass off. "As long as he has the money, he could have been a man on the street and we would have still taken it". Bro what?????

[@143szns]

exactly 😂😂 like who thought that was a good idea to say?

[@appledapple6802]

Saving face but losing face…. Speaks so much of just wanting the bacon😅😅😅😅

[@ningningshighnote7325]

It’s always a good day when Ploopy uploads :D

[@GummyIsNotArtsy]

this is very drama like but honestly who knows so my theory is that The Sheikh is a real sheikh but wanted to become a singer since he was young but wasn't allowed to be one because of strict family so he convinced his parents that he'd do business overseas, flew to Phillipines to start his music career but his family found out years later thus abruptly stopping his music career.

[@rrynnnnnnnnnnnn]

this is so wild😭😭

[@jotarodio4750]

hes going to re appear in korea apart of NCT Dubai

[@Danidiaryyy]

wait what- prince x singer Gurl u find the wildest theories / story’s Btw ur content 🔛🔝

[@ethiehetherington5086]

Yes, he is really a Prince according to Filipinos in Dubai. If he change his mind on investing in Hong Kong, maybe it has to do with China's mainland economy that is going down and eventually take over Hong Kong..

[@mf0528]

That guy was UAE based and was singing for the Filipino community in UAE. There are 700K Filipinos in UAE and a potential market for his singing career.

[@Yourlocalpochacco]

Early yay! Love you Ploopy and can’t wait to watch!

[@silverstar501]

Kept seing news of this prince kept popping up on news feed. I've always thought that he might be on a small show on phillipines or something. But after watching your video, wtf!? if the whole thing was a big lie, how crazy is that for a person once with such fame and a lot of records on the internet to think that he might succeed.

[@mrkeyboardwarrior9969]

I was watching one of your videos about what happened to 50/50 and I am loving every story you cover. Also I accidentally found a very fun YT channel covering kpop dances and rating them. Coincedentally it was you. I was like no way. Hope you get more subs, you 100% deserve it

[@love4trollz]

I’m still waiting on the 2023 debuts

[@Vanilla_Baker44]

Me too

[@Vanilla_Baker44]

I wish i was rich enough to live a double life like this. Edit: this story is just too funny. Why risk your life like this? I hope he can over come this one day.

[@Sunshineattacks3]

I mean, you don’t have to be rich…. You can be 2 extremely poor people.😅

[@Vanilla_Baker44]

​@@Sunshineattacks3but he can afford to walk away from thus with no issues

[@Sunshineattacks3]

@@Vanilla_Baker44 yea that’s true lol

[@theyoutubersfromdenmark8143]

what if he just goes ahead and tries a whole third identity….? now that would be something

[@PTCannonFodder]

His English is Filipino accented. 😅😅 Also, Sheikh and Alira have the exact same voice. 😅😅😅 I'm Filipino and I never heard of Alira until this video.

[@Canyouseemeanna]

Right now the investors are jittery about Hong Kong so whole thing is quite suspicious especially since Hong Kong is not a Muslim country so it's not as if they are doing charity in the name of religion.

[@hinatamercury]

Wow I'm so not updated on the entertainment industry in my own country. I had no idea something like this was going on 😂

[@dallyinghualian]

I'm Filipino and it's so odd that I've never heard of Alira before, especially since it looks like he was interviewed by GMA, which is one of the, if not biggest, TV news platform in the Philippines 😅 and Filipinos usually go crazy for any foreign singers that love the music and culture. Especially if he's TikTok famous.

[@stacin821]

I'm sorry but that guy sounds a guy from LA who's putting on a fake accent.

[@chupachups7941]

He has potential but he keeps singing in notes he can't control.

[@mintykoi17]

I am from the Philippines and how come I never heard of him? 😮 Great vid though!

[@whydidyoureadmyusername2005]

Me too lol

[@AmiAki]

I’m not from the Philippines but I literally remember seeing that viral video of him in the Philippines as the singer online

[@Marvin-eo8jw]

How in the world will you know about him when literally the Philippines media is all over COVID news...

[@haisemomo4167]

you al from caves

[@Sanguinello0s]

I’m a simple person. I see a new ploopy678 video, I click on it.

[@Serenaisverytired]

Man I was waiting for the day I would hear a new”greetings professors 🤓☝️”

[@ForeverForty]

I really love how Ploopy tell stories. I obviously looks like she put in a lot of effort but I do hope you post more often.

[@rosaliegutierrez8923]

He wasnt denied by Dubai so it means he's a real Prince... And a lot of Filipino works in Dubai so speaking Filipino is kinda a easy...

[@merefinl6914]

If theory 3 is correct, I could totally see someone in the family getting excited about HK's policy toward foreign investment and coming up with a plan to act on it. His family might have encouraged him to play up his family connections, or he might have had the idea himself. Complicated family politics/drama would be a good explanation for the hastiness of all of these conflicting decisions and appearances.

[@find-oliver]

NEW VIDEOOO 🎉🎉

[@brandoniswhoiam]

Only Ploopy can find the craziest stories!

[@VivaLaVidaOG]

Maybe he has an evil twin who's trying to sabotage his brother's singing career... Just kidding 😅 I think the third theory is the most plausible, but who knows

[@meoct-ow7tu]

I'm from the Philippines and i never heard of this guy

[@ВасилийБлаженов-ж9е]

I think maybe it was planned to start some new career path for this Alira singer, maybe he wanted to gather international attentian by going really viral with this wild story of beibg sheikh. So he needed to become sheikh, and he used this opportunity in Hongkong to establish himself as such, but he's said too much, and surprisingly, now he can't go back to being singer because it all was effed up. And about consulate confirming his relation to ruling family, I think it was just a rushed statement, like "oh, he's Al Maktoum, of course he's from ruling family! Oh, wait..." So the guy just have tried to boost up his popularity, and failed miserably, attracting too much unwanted attention with negative connotations.

[@celestia..]

if he makes his story a netflix show he can actually get the money

[@eryalmario5299]

He's a royal he doesn't need money

[@celestia..]

@eryalmario5299 I'm saying that even if he isn't royal and don't have the money somehow

[@sumysim3245]

It's giving Hanna Montana and A Cinderella Story, this is honestly so bizarre, hope we'll return someday to follow his dreams~ 😂 Hopefully it's nothing too serious, maybe he'll have a comeback.

[@MoonlightSunrise-cf6qs]

I love you, Ploppy, and love your videos. I'm proud of you and appreciate your work ❤️❤️. I can see how hard you work for your videos 🥹🥹🩵

[@fierriefiles]

Sorry to burst your bubble.. I'm a Filipino and I've never seen him anywhere. Not even in social media. He's not a sensation here 😅😅😅

[@passportbrolife]

me tooo... I only know Ryan Bang...

[@jollybee5220]

because it was short lived and cut off?

[@GWSNtheworld]

A NEW VIDEO WOOO

[@BoRZ886]

Im Filipino but Ive never heard of him before. That's pro'ly Filipino events in the UAE and not in in the Philippines.

[@thisisavivistanaccount7866]

idk what’s going on with him but his eyelashes are pretty and he’s got a pretty voice. He might just have a double life and he’s not as wealthy as he portrayed in HK? but other than that i am stumped

[@MOK3Z]

I'm so sorry to tell you this but this video is likely going to get taken down (NOT BY ME). The UAE government is very strict about things like this and anything that might portray this country as bad will get take down. I really hope it doesn't but this video is one of the top search results. I just wanted to tell you why because this is happening now because of some recent floods we have had. Wish you all the best

[@KittyAwaits]

Honestly this is craazyyy

[@JP1111-pc7uw]

hannah montana 🤣

[@Zee_1003]

I'm Filipino but I've never heard of ALIRA.

[@buffalohead7783]

Becoming a Tiktok karaoke singer makes you a better singer and it’s also makes you famous.

[@braenpsy]

His voice, his double life, his lashes... Idk what's more impressive???

[@therealgrimreaper68]

I think he was a real prince who wanted to become a singer

[@stuffedninja1337]

I hope we get an update on this. I have a feeling they’re the same person, and the royal family is just suuuuuper embarrassed by him for some reason, so they’re just *barely* claiming him.

[@mabeladran6258]

I am Filipino , but never heard of this guy. 😂 Maybe he's just performing with the Filipino community in the UAE, but not here in the Philippines.

[@madhurjya9818]

Evangeline, could you give your opinions regarding the recent rift going on between Hybe, Ador's CEO, New Jeans and Illit❔

[@oodo2908]

Islamic men adore Filipina women. Specifically Filipina. The regular dudes seek them out. Royalty has married them. They usually marry their own ethnicity first, but a lot of times they will actually marry a Filipina first.

[@vyic3073]

islamic men?

[@oodo2908]

@@vyic3073 Yeah. Doesn't matter from what country. Could be from Turkey, Pakistan, Uzbek, or Tajik. Iran, whatever. Maybe the only ones that don't care are Indonesian or Malay since they're so close already.

[@strawberriec]

It's not "Islamic" we don't use it to describe people who have Islam as their faith, the right word is "muslim" so in this case "muslim man"

[@vyic3073]

@@strawberriec fr

[@Hero_of_Sinnoh]

Might have the next Frank Abagnale

[@xihangyang]

k-drama would be his father got sick and neeec to return as a prince

[@SunghoonsOfficialBae]

HIIII IM EARLYYYY 💗💗💗

[@spring_fieldd]

he took "living the double life" a bit too seriously

[@geethakumari9487]

Girl ur stories are the best❤!Also under 24 hour gang⬇️

[@Idontknow_whyimhere]

Omg- I'm so early! Love your vids ploopy!

[@MaryamAhmed-jp6qv]

Dude I’m from Dubai and I didn’t even know 😭

[@Yehohanan67]

Philippines is a free country. You can do what you want as long as you are not killing anyone, not violently hurting anyone, not destroying anything, it is a liberalistic world in here. You christian, welcome. You buddhist, welcome. You muslim, welcome. You atheist, welcome. Everyone is welcome here in the Philippines. Just abide by the laws of the Republic and have fun.

[@bdzkarma]

When u gonna make blackswan stories ep 3

[@kpopmulti_17]

2:35 HERE? I thought you live in London because of your English skills. :O

[@erinlee5936]

Damn, the prince even has the Filipino accent when speaking English. He is really immersed in the Filipino culture.

[@GuranPurin]

Mr. John Lee should honestly just run for the hills and become a Filipino Pop Star after that massive cope of a press release statement 💀💀💀💀Also I'm fully convinced Ali is doing some sort of massive troll because "Ali"-->"Alira" it's like he wasn't even trying🤣🤣

[@jayroh3996]

Yes. Ali bin Rashed al Maktoum to Alira (a combo from Ali and Rashed).

[@catherinethecatlike]

Anyone else never heard of him??

[@KnightGeneral]

Rising Star in the Philippines? Havent EVER heard of him here. Never. And I even update every month new rising Artists here in my Country.

[@farhanfmx]

I would also pretend to not care about the prince once this whole debacle occured. Grapes were sour babe

[@Hanni._.Bubblegum.]

Hi Ploopy!!

[@henryscarhead6119]

Ali/ra- might be a hired doppelganger, who actually looks, talks, move and think alike with the real prince. But still he has his real life passion with singing.

[@alekadelacruz8592]

I'm sorry I live here in the Philippines but I don't know him. Maybe he's a Tiktok star? I think he's a professional con artist 😕🧐

[@LedZeppelinHK]

are you from Hong Kong?

[@haewonized]

wait so is she from Hong Kong? I thought so but her channel said the uk

[@HarukiMarcos20]

She started her KZbin around that time she was living in the UK before somewhere from that time period where she and her family moved to Hong Kong

[@richardc5100]

Ploopy kloot box?

[@cool-with-uu]

YALL PLOOPY POSTED?? 😭😭💗💗

[@kpopluver0494]

This is hilarious 😂😂😂😂

[@im.seungberry]

Could you do straykids hyunjins newest scandle with the protest trucks saying that he should leave?

[@aileenneissesbi19]

If this 2 men are one,my ghod I'm lucky to have picture with him😍

[@ploopy678]

You've met Alira in person? 😲😲😲😲

[@aileenneissesbi19]

@@ploopy678 yes and had a picture with him, tge time that I meet him,he was supposed to be part of filipino concert in Dubai, but I don't know what happen that he didn't perform but he was there,and I already know him through socmed, so the time I was staff of the producer, and I have chance to meet him.he was so really nice person, soft person even when he talk he is so lovely😍..just now I discover after I watch your video..💙💙💙❤❤❤

[@StefaliaKleinman]

I live in Dubai and this seems so wild lol

[@sithlrd70]

Ploopy678 going to the office 😎💯 PURE AWESOMENESS 💕. Keep making your Amazing Content 🥰

[@JushSam]

Wow i didn't know this

[@songkangsbabyface]

Honestly think he just wanted to have his Hannah Montana moment which I completely understand 😔

[@drago7685]

For a guy he looks pretty beautiful for some reason guy got these eyelashes I would say he has the beauty to be a singer 😂

[@paolorobledo2438]

prince or not.alira can sing opm beautifully

[@chunyipli3410]

Finally waited your video ❤❤❤😊