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? 🤔

[@AYOrockcandyaoyamaERO]

I'm haven't watched the full video so I don't know yet!!!

[@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

[@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

[@amidmicah]

Lmao

[@yyoujii]

@@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

[@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?

[@carrieheartsmusic6797]

You always find the wildest stories 😂

[@AquaRunner533]

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

[@Hanni_._Bunny297]

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 😭

[@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

[@celestia..]

his lashes are gorgeous im so jealous

[@lsgoh2357]

Same 😢

[@kiwiwooq]

Arab genes 😩

[@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

[@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.

[@mamabanana88]

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

[@chocosoy8692]

Same!!!

[@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.

[@sadiesadiemlady]

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

[@mangojelly23]

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

[@candiedbakery3832]

Timestamp?

[@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

[@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

[@mediocritycentral]

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

[@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 😂

[@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😅😅😅😅

[@godslittlecrayola]

I wish i was rich enough to live a double life like this.

[@collettesmith4421]

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

[@jotarodio4750]

hes going to re appear in korea apart of NCT Dubai

[@rreunji]

this is so wild😭😭

[@Caramel.-]

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

[@ningningshighnote7325]

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

[@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..

[@Yourlocalpochacco]

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

[@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.

[@Hannaaaa3]

I’m still waiting on the 2023 debuts

[@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.

[@ARMYEternal_Bunny]

Yay I love your channel thank you for keeping at it 💜💜💜😋

[@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.

[@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

[@REALyuki_yui]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@theyoutubersfromdenmark8143]

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

[@Sanguinello0s]

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

[@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...

[@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 🥹🥹🩵

[@chupachups7941]

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

[@HanerTheDestroyer]

from the Philippines and never heard of him at all. never seen him in the social media platforms i use up until today lol

[@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 😂

[@30rette]

NEW VIDEOOO 🎉🎉

[@brandoniswhoiam]

Only Ploopy can find the craziest stories!

[@Hanni_._Bunny297]

Hi Ploopy!!

[@jeanpaulpretto8523]

Also can definitely tell this man is on the 🌈 side. Not sure how that would fly in Dubai. Maybe he was escaping his life there

[@geethakumari9487]

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

[@meoct-ow7tu]

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

[@Violetsarebluelikethesky]

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

[@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.

[@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...

[@Zee_1003]

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

[@Star.hoonie]

HIIII IM EARLYYYY 💗💗💗

[@KittyAwaits]

Honestly this is craazyyy

[@sithlrd70]

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

[@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.

[@cool-with-uu]

YALL PLOOPY POSTED?? 😭😭💗💗

[@stacin821]

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

[@spring_fieldd]

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

[@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.

[@Digital_Apparition]

Hi evangeline♡♡

[@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

[@braenpsy]

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

[@GWSNtheworld]

A NEW VIDEO WOOO

[@buffalohead7783]

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

[@trishislove04]

Nee subscriber from Philippines ❤ please make more philippine related content

[@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...

[@therealgrimreaper68]

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

[@namiz0601]

ok but the fact I live in Dubai and I’m Filipino 😭🖐️

[@richardc5100]

Ploopy kloot box?

[@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.

[@zinja0830]

I could see this being a topic on one of my favorite podcasts, Scam Goddess. They would eat this up!

[@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.

[@Itzaloo]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE “good evening professors”😭😭😭

[@elmin82]

Good video

[@JP1111-pc7uw]

hannah montana 🤣

[@xihangyang]

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

[@LedZeppelinHK]

are you from Hong Kong?

[@chunyipli3410]

Finally waited your video ❤❤❤😊

[@user-vs9cz9pm1n]

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.

[@Blitzkers99]

Interesting video 🧐 Tick Tock Price sounds comedic

[@MaryamAhmed-jp6qv]

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

[@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.

[@singwing-hj7uy]

nice❤❤❤

[@catherinethecatlike]

Anyone else never heard of him??

[@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).

[@aliacampbell7227]

THAT IS ACTUALLY SOOO FUNNY😂.

[@Daniellel0vemarsh_]

NEW MEMBER OF NCT AHHHH 🤯🤯 🤯 SO EXCITTED

[@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.

[@im.seungberry]

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

[@cyd933]

I love how random your videos get but is still around asian pop 😆

[@StefaliaKleinman]

I live in Dubai and this seems so wild lol

[@bdzkarma]

When u gonna make blackswan stories ep 3

[@Hero_of_Sinnoh]

Might have the next Frank Abagnale

[@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 😕🧐

[@oneoftherandompersoninYT]

Can I say that he has such beautiful eyelashes so jealous!

[@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.

[@madhurjya9818]

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

[@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 😂

[@kpopluver0494]

This is hilarious 😂😂😂😂