Asalah Nassri may be one of the most successful singers in the Arab world today, but even she admits she gets herself into trouble too easily. "The problem is I talk a lot," she said. "Have you ever seen any other female singers talk as much as I do? I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I pretty much say what comes to mind, which sometimes causes problems between myself and others."
The Syrian star was in Cairo earlier this week to promote her new talk show Sola, in which the singer hosts celebrities in a studio that has been designed to look like her own living room. Guests talk about everything — from their art to their personal lives — and perform with Asalah.
According to the singer, the comments she made about the Syrian protests and President Bashar Al Assad resulted in some artists from the region refusing to appear on her show. However, she was also able to mend her rocky relationships with Sherine Abdul Wahab and Helmy Bakr on the show.
Excerpts from the interview.
There are a few artists who refused to appear on Sola. Can you tell us a little bit more about them?
A lot of my Syrian friends refused to appear as guests after I spoke against Bashar Al Assad and the Syrian protests. I always mentioned that I would never bring up politics in my show, but I guess they still were not comfortable appearing. A lot of people have spoken out about me since I made those comments.
Do you regret speaking out?
No, of course not. I never said I hated Bashar Al Assad. I respect what he did for our country, but I am against what is happening now. I respect the legitimate demands of the rebels. People just want to live a decent life, and want to stop the injustice that goes on in the Arab world. Is that so wrong?
A couple of artists appear on the show despite the fact you previously had problems with them.
Yes, Sherine Abdul Wahab and Helmy Bakr. It is great because the issues between Sherine and I were not huge and just silly. I am very glad I fixed things with her. The same with Helmy.
Who else do you host on the show?
Because I spend a large amount of time in Egypt, I have made friends with a lot of Egyptian artists. Those appearing in my show include Ramy Sabry, Ahmad Sa'ad and Houssam Habib, who are really good friends of mine. We also hosted a great number of talented artists regardless of my relationship with them or opinion of them. As for those who didn't appear on the programme, because they don't like me, then I have nothing to say. It's up to them.
What about artists from the Gulf?
You know what, it is funny, because there's a big problem with Khaleeji artists in the sense that they are very strict about how they appear in public. They don't like revealing a lot about themselves. So it is hard to host someone in a talk show when they won't open up. The legendary Saudi singer Mohammad Abdou was supposed to appear in the show, but his health problems meant he was advised not to sing until this month, which is after the shows had been filmed.
Don't miss it
Watch Sola on OSN Yahala! HD at 11pm on Thursday and at 2am and 7.30pm on Friday.
Sulaf's recovering
Sulaf Fawakhirji was recently hospitalised after suffering from a severe case of food poisoning.
Sulaf's family members said that her condition is stable, and she is at home recovering.
Meanwhile, the actress is set to begin work on a new television drama Fatah Min Al Sharq, which will mark her return to Egyptian drama after a two-year absence. The drama, written by Ahmad Ali Ahmad, revolves around the life of Ameenah Dawood Al Mufti, a Russian-born Muslim who moved to Jordan before becoming a spy.
To be or not to be
George Wassouf, who is still in hospital recovering after suffering a stroke, has refused the Lebanese government's offer to pay his medical bills at the American University Hospital in Beirut. The Syrian singer's family revealed that the brother of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has already offered to cover all medical expenses. This probably won't go down well with Wassouf's fans who oppose the current Syrian regime.
A number of celebrities and VIPs are said to have visited the singer in hospital, including Egyptian actor Adel Imam, as well as the Lebanese Minister of Health Hassan Khaleel.
Plastic girl Nancy?
Nancy Ajram has hit back at recent rumours suggesting she has had 18 different plastic surgeries.
According to Arab reports, the singer — who is performing in Dubai on November 17 at Madinat Arena — said she had four procedures: liposuction, lip augmentation, cheek implants and one on her legs. But this contradicts her previous interviews when she admitted she had several operations to fix her nose. She also stated that she does not intend having any more procedures done. "It scares me now," she said. "Plus, no human body can handle having 18 operations. There's no truth in this."
