UAE in retrospect: 13 celebrities in 2013

An explosive year for film, music and celebrity, 2013 witnessed some of the biggest names in Hollywood and beyond stopping in the UAE — whether be it to promote their brands, raise funds, perform music or accept awards. tabloid! rounded up 13 celebrity visits in 2013, and what the stars had to tell us during their stay.

OneRepublic

The pop-rock band was in the city in February to play a show as part of Emirates Airline Jazz Festival.

On their steady success (front man Ryan Tedder): “The way I see it there’s a lot of bands that have these huge spikes — a big hit, then they go away, and no-one cares, then they come back, have a big hit... We’re like this [mimes a line steadily going up]. We’re the tortoise. It keeps going like this, marching up the hill, we’re happy. It means more and more people globally are discovering us song by song.”

Carmen Electra and Pamela Anderson

The two Baywatch stars came separately to host nights at Dubai clubs — Anderson at VIP Room in March and Electra in May at Cavalli Club. While Electra told us she’d spent six hours shopping at one mall before hitting the club, Pammie had “ulterior motives” in her trip. “Every time I travel, I use it for animal rights. There are specific things in the Middle East I want to talk about,” said Anderson, who had previously lobbied for the freedom of Dubai’s captive whale shark Sammy.

Rita Ora

The singer was in Dubai in April for Karl Lagerfeld’s Little Black Jacket exhibition, which she modelled for, and to perform a six-song set.

On Chanel’s humble legend himself: “He’s just got so much energy, and to have energy at that age, and to have experienced everything he’s experienced in the fashion world, and have literally have changed the fashion world — and just be Karl Lagerfeld and still walk into the room and say hello to the lighting man. That’s a big deal. That’s when you know there’s hope in the world.”

Susan Sarandon

The actress and activist visited in May to open SpiN at Wafi, the latest of her chain of ping-pong-themed clubs. That’s right — Sarandon is the godmother of table tennis. “Of all the things that I’ve done that people have been shocked about, this is the most wholesome,” she told tabloid!. “I kind of feel like it’s my party because people come up to me and say how much fun they’ve had.” Dubai’s SpiN, has, of course, a gold ping pong table, too.

John Travolta

Selena Gomez

The singer-actress was here as part of Dubai Music Week in October, performing her only Middle Eastern concert.

On her 2013 film Getaway receiving bad reviews: “My cousin was the first person who told me what people were saying. I am 21 and I am not as experienced. I am learning and I am growing. Sometimes you do things that are great and sometimes you don’t. It’s called life.”

Forrest Whitaker

The actor was in the UAE to accept the Black Pearl Achievement Award from Abu Dhabi Film Festival in October.

“The fact that they invited me here to receive the career achievement award is very important, because it shows that I’m connecting in some way to the people here. That’s what I’m working for — that’s what I try to do.”

Naomi Campbell

The British supermodel joined her friends Donatella Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani and fellow model Karolina Kurkova for the Vogue Dubai Fashion Experience, a day-long event at The Dubai Mall in October that ended with a fundraising gala at the Burj Khalifa. Campbell told us about causes close to her heart — the education of women in Africa — and revealed she’s been a regular to the city for years. “I think Dubai, since I’ve been coming here since the ’90’s, it’s always been a place where they want fashion, they love fashion, they create fashion. I think now there are so new many places that have amazing fashion weeks and Dubai is one of them.”

Kelly Rowland

The R&B singer and fitness buff was in the UAE to meet fans and perform at the private Dubai Airshow Gala Dinner in November.

On making sure to stay fit: “Doesn’t matter how tired you are. Just 30 minutes. Even if that 30 minutes is just walking uphill on a treadmill, if you can — if you don’t have a bad back, you don’t have bad knees — or just dedicating it to yoga or pilates ... It’s really about making the time.”

Khloe Kardashian

The socialite and businesswoman stopped by Dubai Mall in November to promote the Kardashian Kollection’s Lipsy store launch.

On doing well in the UAE: “I think it’s really important to be in touch with your fans. Not just being a celebrity, but if you have a company, it’s important to listen to whoever your consumers are, that’s what makes a company stronger and more successful.”

Eva Longoria

Actress and activist Eva Longoria was in the city in December to raise money for the Global Gift Foundation.

On bringing the foundation to the UAE: “Everybody in the world looks to Dubai as this glamorous place, this beautiful jewel in the Middle East, and I want them to know Dubai for being philanthropic and giving and caring because I’ve met so many amazing people here that reflect that.”

Adriana Lima

Lingerie model Adriana Lima stopped by in December to showcase Victoria’s Secret’s Royal Fantasy Bra, worth $10million (approximately Dh37million), at Dubai Mall.

On begging VS to bring her to Dubai: “I have so many friends that come here, it’s completely different than anywhere else, it’s completely exotic. I have an adventurous personality, I love to travel and experience new cultures.”

Martin Sheen

The actor came to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from Dubai International Film Festival in December.

On what world leaders lack today: “They are not suffering like the people are. They are not in the streets … All the great leaders in the past, be it Gandhi, Mandela or Malcolm X were the people who had suffered in life. But they were people who had transcended that suffering.”