Showbiz Arabia

Patricia Khoder brings you all the gossip about Arab celebs

Kazim fans will have to wait

Iraqi singer Kazim Al Saher recently had an argument with the directors of Rotana Music. Al Saher wanted to launch his new album, Souar (Pictures), at the end of August - an initiative that the production company refused categorically.

For Rotana, the launching season is over; it is the end of summer and Ramadan will start soon. So Kazim has to wait after Eid Al Fitr for the CD launch.

During a press conference Al Saher said that it is his fault if the album was delayed and that he handed it to Rotana a bit too late. And this delay is due to his numerous trips. Kazim is a goodwill ambassador for UNHRC and is especially involved in helping Iraqi refugees.

Al Saher has performed at several international music festivals this summer. Among them, the Beiteddine Festival in Lebanon and the Carthage Festival in Tunisia. As usual, his concerts gathered thousands of fans.

His performance at the Carthage Festival was broadcast live on Rotana TV.

Elissa prepares new album

Elissa's album Ayami Bik (My Days With You) was a real success. Now she is thinking about the future: she is working on her next CD, to be launched this winter. The new album will be called Mich Fakrak (I don't remember you), and the song that bears the name of the CD is written by Amir Toeimeh and Ramy Jamal. Elissa will also shortly launch a new music video.

A few weeks ago the singer was awarded the Best Arab Singer award in a contest organised by the Syndicate of Egyptian Musicians. Elissa, who wasn't present during the award ceremony, flew later to Cairo to bring the trophy back home to Beirut.

Saba: 'I want a strong man'

Nicole is determined to land herself a man who puts his foot down

Lebanese artist Nicole Saba said that she chooses her songs according to her personality. So it's no coincidence that her new single is called Birahti (I am free). "Not all the songs have to say I love you and I miss you", she said.

"When I say in my song that I am a free spirit and that I don't want a man who smothers me, I'm talking about myself and it is not just lines I am singing", she added.

She also said that her soul mate should have a strong personality just like hers.

"I want to be with a real man. In the past, there were real men. It is not the case today," she said. "When a woman is mature and intelligent she wouldn't be attracted to any man. She wants a man who deserves her. I want to be with a strong man, someone who can say no to me. I am a strong woman and I don't want a weak man," she added.

Careerwise, in Ramadan, Saba who has lived in Cairo for the past few years, will be on TV in an Egyptian programme called Wa Adda Al Nahar (And the day passed). She will be co-starring with actor Salah Saadani. Saba plays the role of a dethroned princess deprived of her rights and money.

The story takes place in 1968, when the princess comes back from Paris in order to get back her fortune. She falls in love with a minister who tries to help her.

Saba who appeared in the movie Laylat el-Baby Doll (The Baby Doll Night), is preparing a new film with handsome actor Hani Salama. The movie, directed by Sa'ad Al Hindawi, is entitled Al Saffah (The Killer).

Hesham honoured

Lebanese singer Hesham Al Hajj was awarded Best Young Arab Singer during the festival of the Music Video Oscars in Egypt. The jury who granted Al Hajj the award included famous Egyptian musicians and artists. During the festival, Hesham sang many of his songs.

The Lebanese singer is now preparing to shoot his new music video Kuli Li (Tell me) which will be directed by Rindallah Kodeih. Hesham will sing soon in Cairo's Opera House. Artists from 48 countries participated in the contest.

Gharam due in Beirut

Jordanian singer Gharam is preparing for the launch of her new single. Gharam wrote and composed the song herself. She will shoot the music video in Turkey.

Gharam, whose last single was Sibak min Hobby (Forget about my love), announced that she will visit Beirut soon in order to participate in some concerts and meet several composers and song writers so that she can start working on her next CD.