Una Valli

South Africa Pop Singer.
discovered in 1963 when announcer John Walker saw her perform and invited her to sing on the Springbok radio show
"Stars Of Tomorrow".
The following article is taken from
the March 1965 issue of South Africa's
Debonair magazine:
UNA VALLI
The popular new 15 – year –old vocalist started singing in talent contests at the age of 12. Now she sings with Dan Hill’s band and cut her first complete album record last year. Ulna made her professional debut singing with the Hustlers. She has also sung with The Bats and The Valiants. Her records rose to popularity with a cover of the Manfred Mann single “Do-wa-diddy.”

Her hobbies are dancing, swimming, and drawing. The first film she has appeared in is “Africa Shakes”. She’s so grown up at 15. You’d hardly think she’s still at school. She looks like a sophisticated young woman, and is so casual and at ease singing before a band to a huge audience of fans.
Una Valli has to look her best to work with experienced professionals and sing before an audience of critical grown-ups. That’s why she uses sophisticated French make-up. Nothing but the very best will do, and that means STENDAHL cosmetics imported direct from Paris. “ These Stendahl cosmeticts are specially made for youthful complexions” says Una. “ No young girl wants to look heavily made-up, that is why I use them in preference to others. They feel cool and clean and their range of colours is fantastic, but most important of all they’re good for the skin.”

When we interviewed her after the evening’s performance, Una emphasized the attractive appearance and texture of the cosmetics and showed us how easily and smoothly they could be applied. “ Take Stendahl’s lipsticks for instance” Una said. “ They’re first-rate quality, they last and have that certain French glittering texture which I adore. That’s why I keep all five colours, plus their special white lipstick to blend different colours for different effects- what more could anyone ask for?”

We certainly got the message- Una knows the art of success, not only in her profession, but in her private life too. In her home at Forrest Hill she relaxes after school by playing the radio or listening to one of her favourite Beatles records. When she’s heard a song just once she knows whether it will ever be her own special song. After listening to it a couple of times, she knows it off by heart and if there are any words that don’t suit her, she changes them. By the time she’s sung it a half a dozen times it has become something very special.

Una is 5ft. 41/2 in. tall and are still growing. Her favourite foods are spaghetti bolognaise and curry and rice She likes dancing and swimming and when it comes to school work her favourite subject is science. Una has no “steady”. “I’m much too busy”, she says . Nor has she any long-range plans for marriage. She wants to go on singing for a long time yet.

Her favourite song is “Quanda Caliente el Sol”. Among her most popular songs are “ Is it True?” , “ Baby Love” and “ Leader of the Pack”.