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Sunday Mail
The faith that helped Darius
By Lorna Hill England on Sunday Number: 5721 10 June 2004
There is much excitement in the Danesh household. Birthday balloons festoon the hallway and a squad of young boys are running around laughing excitedly. For not only is it nine year old Cyrus’ birthday, but his older brother Darius is expected home on a fleeting visit north at any minute.
To his millions of fans, Darius Danesh is the devastatingly handsome pop star who defied all odds to launch a credible and successful music career. However, as soon as he arrives at his parents’ home in Bearsden in Glasgow it is obvious that he is simply Darius – a son and brother.
Darius may now be relishing the dizzy heights of fame, but things were not always quite so rosy. Here is a quick refresher: three years ago he was studying English Literature at Edinburgh University and became something of a national laughing stock when, complete with goatee and ponytail, he entered ITV's talent show, Popstars, with his confident swagger and questionable version of Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time.
Then, in true determination, and to everyone’s astonishment, he auditioned for Pop Idol. This time he emerged as a sex symbol, made it to the final three contestants and was taken to the nation’s heart.
Now he is signed to Mercury Records, has had three Top Ten hits including the number one single, Colour Blind, and his debut album, Dive In, sold almost one million copies in three months.
(He was famously quoted on Popstars as saying that he wanted to have a triple platinum album by the time he was 30. It looks like he’s well on course.) Last year he launched his biography, Sink or Swim. So with such a stack of achievements, at the tender age of 23, it would be almost understandable if Darius had become slightly swollen-headed. Yet Darius is refreshingly grounded and has a maturity which defies his years. This is undoubtedly linked to his upbringing and the values instilled by his parents. Darius is obviously passionate about music. However, he is clearly devoted to his family. His parents, Booth and Avril, are both doctors and he has two younger brothers – 20 year old Aria who is a medical student, and Cyrus. Avril, who has a lovely warm and calm manner, seems to take the buzz and excitement in her stride. It is clear that Darius has inherited her temperament and it is quite a privilege to witness the close rapport he has with his mother.
Although Darius is now based in London and in a happy relationship with his model girlfriend, Jacqui Ainsley, he admits that he would be back in Glasgow every weekend if possible.
However, his time is currently largely occupied with writing and recording for his second album which will be released in September. At the moment he is busy jetting between London, Miami and Los Angeles where he is working with top producers whose previous successes include Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias and Avril Lavigne.
Yet despite the glitzy lifestyle which fame can bring, Darius has not forgotten his roots – and his faith. When asked if he has ever wrestled with the temptations a pop star lifestyle might bring, he replies: "I’m not a regular drinker. I go for six months off, six months on as such. I don’t take drugs. I’m faithful to my girlfriend. I find it easier than some people might believe in regards to the job I have because that’s who I am and that’s how I’ve been brought up. My drinking days were at university and I think I got it out of my system. Now if I go for a drink it’s for the enjoyment of a fine glass of wine or a really good beer.
"I hope I’d be a good role model for my little brother. That’s always at the back of my mind because I want him to grow up with the same values and a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong and a strong sense of faith."
It was his faith, he says, that got him through those initial difficult Popstars days.
"My faith in God, in my family, and in myself. It wasn’t easy but it was more difficult for my mum and dad now that I look back at it because to see your son who is growing and developing his ideas and dreams, I suppose it must be like watching a flower that is growing and reaching for the light and is suddenly trampled on. I think my roots were deeper and tougher than people thought at the time and I’m glad those roots have been my family and my faith."
Darius says he has ‘romantic’ memories of going to church as a child.
"My first church memory was a church service at Christmas time and I remember the nativity scene. I must have been three or four at the time and I remember the candles and staring in amazement at the scene in front of me. I’ve always felt very peaceful and content in churches."
Darius also credits his parents for his spiritual upbringing. "My dad, who is from Iran, was born and raised a Muslim and he’s been very embracing of Christianity and very keen for me to be brought up as a Christian. I suppose that he’s always aware of Islamic teachings. He would come to church with us and is aware that in different religions there are many things that are weak and there are some things that are perhaps extreme. He always tells me he’s taken the best things of Islam and applied them to his life and I respect him for his open-mindedness which I think has taught me to be accepting and interested in other religions and embracing of different thoughts of faith.
"I was bullied as a child. I remember coming home and being distraught and my mum consoled me. She always taught me to pray and to ask God for peace and strength and all the things that help you get through whatever the little bumps are along the road. She pointed out different examples of suffering in the world that would make my bullying seem like a small thing. The empathy that was taught at church, mum would overspill into daily life. I think that has stayed with me."
Describing himself as "a Christian enlightened by the teachings of Islam," Darius admits that although he goes to church "far less than I’d like to admit," he prays daily.
"That’s what I find important. I find when I don’t pray life is not nearly as happy and problems you would otherwise find a way to overcome become much bigger problems. I have one prayer in the day where I have my conversation with God and there might be any point in the day, from when I wake up to when I go to sleep, where I have a thought of thanks. Sometimes it’s when I sit down to eat. I do everything in a rush and it’s that thought of saying thanks to God that slows me down."
Charity work is also important to Darius. In addition to being a Prince’s Trust ambassador, he has also supported AIDS charity Crusade and recently backed Leap for Meningitis.
Darius has a realistic approach to life and although optimistic is aware that the music industry can be fickle.
"Honestly, I think I’d be upset for 24 hours [if it was all taken away] and after having a good moan I’d pray, go to bed and the next morning would be a new day.
"Hopefully, the reality is that you could only take anything away from me if I lost, God forbid, my family. So the studio and the lifestyle and the songs and all that stuff is just a job. It’s what I do, and I was always most happy when I had my guitar, which is worth about £20, sat on my bed at home writing songs. I’d always still be able to go back to that.
"I feel very blessed to have these opportunities as a songwriter and a singer and to be able to travel and I’m focused on enjoying this growing, creating process."
This is a shortened version of an article taken from the June 2004 edition of Life & Work, the editorially independent magazine of the Church of Scotland