Known as one of the biggest female artists to emerge from Egypt in the past decade, Sherine Abdul Wahab's career has gone from strength to strength. The singer has become one of few artists to establish herself across the Arab world — from Morocco to the United Arab Emirates — and her fan base continues to grow.
As with any star, the more well-known you are, the more likely you are to attract controversy in the Arab entertainment world — and there's no doubt that Sherine has received her fair share of flack from the media, other celebrities, as well as the public.
Most recently, Saudi Arabian artist Maysoon Abdul Aziz accused the Egyptian star of being racist after she allegedly refused to perform with her on the show Duo Al Mashaheer. Maysoon said that "as soon as Sherine arrived and found out she was going to be singing with a Saudi, she threw the microphone and walked away".
However, Sherine was quick to defend herself, stating: "Seriously, why would I act like that when I have so many friends from the region, and I love visiting the GCC?"
Unfortunately, that is sometimes the price to pay for fame, but as Sherine explains below, she has gotten used to it, and has no problem with anyone taking her on.
First of all, we hear that your new album is delayed. What is happening with that?
Yes, I am currently recording and was scheduled to release my new record in January. However, I haven't finished writing it, so I don't think that release date is achievable any more. I am going to aim for March 2012 now.
I can't reveal much about the album as yet, but I want to assure my fans that this delay is because I want to provide something that is of the highest quality to them.
You are one of Egypt's most successful female artists. Producer Nasr Mahrous — who you no longer work with — discovered you. Without going into the problems you had together, do you still hold him responsible for your success?
My success was across the Arab world and not just Egypt, and my success was thanks to Nasr Mahrous. He really taught me a lot of things, and gave me a lot of experience.
I am glad I got experience before I became famous. He really took care of me, and really did a lot for me to ensure that I became a successful singer. There was a point that me and my brother were staying with him in Heliopolis in Cairo, and not only did he make me into a great artist, he also taught me a lot about life.
I remember they taught me how to drive, for instance. I was very young!
And now you are married with two daughters. Did you expect all of this to happen?
No, I never expected I was going to be this well-known, and I am so thankful for it. I am also thankful that I have been able to balance a home life and motherhood with my career.
There have been times where some nasty journalists have written that my career was failing because I took time out to have children. If raising my two beautiful daughters is a failure, then I am incredibly happy to be a failure!
You've had your fair share of problems with other celebrities and the press. What bothers you the most?
I think my biggest problem is that I speak my mind, but a lot of the time, these "problems" or feuds are made up. What irritates me the most is when journalists make up nasty things about you — things that threaten to ruin a woman's reputation.
In the Arab world, with our cultures and traditions, reporters shouldn't be harming stars. But unfortunately some people have a lot of hate in their hearts.
What about other celebrities? Amr Mustafa recently came out mocking your song Mashrebtish men Nilha...
Yeah, I do have a problem with Amr Mustafa, because he has been talking about a number of things in such a strange way. Aren't they dubbing him the Gaddafi of Egypt right now thanks to his weird interviews?
If he says that, then that's up to him — the song was incredibly successful and fans loved it, so that is what matters.
There have been rumours of a feud between you and Syrian singer Asala as well.
No, it's all good. She is like my big sister. In Ramadan, she invited me and my husband for iftar, and we had a great time, so where is the feud?
So who do you like in the entertainment world? You've collaborated with Fadel Shaker in the past; are there any other artists you would like to work with?
I love a lot of classical artists. I adore Umm Kulthom — she was a fantastic artist and could really own a stage. I also love Fairouz and Abdul Haleem.
When it comes to the artists of today, I like listening to Fadel Shaker, of course, as well as Angham, Samira Said, and Wael Jasser.
Who knows what the future will bring? Finishing the album is the priority right now.
