Showbiz Arabia: Coming soon

With New Year and Christmas celebrations still taking place (yes, for many in the Middle East, the festive season doesn't come to an end until next week), most celebs are still enjoying the winter break before getting back to work. And although Arab stars are notorious for keeping hush hush about upcoming projects until about a month before release, a number of big names have already revealed their plans for the coming year — and the good news is that the 2012 entertainment season is definitely looking promising.

Television

Following a year of political and civil unrest, Egypt is understandably one of the markets keen to make up for losses last year. To support the industry, some of the country's biggest superstars will appear on the small screen to encourage television networks to bid for more Egyptian productions, particularly during Ramadan.

After disappearing from the spotlight in 2011, Yousra will make a return to Ramadan television this year. The Egyptian actress will start shooting the drama Shourbet Louz in the next couple of months. The series was written by Tamer Habib and will be directed by Khalid Marei.

Meanwhile, hoping that the backlash he suffered last year has died down, Adel Imam's Faree Naji Atallah will be aired this year following the decision not to distribute it to television networks last Ramadan season.

Also making a comeback will be Egyptian actress Elham Shahin — another popular name in television — with the show, Madame Secretary.

Finally, Abla Kamel, Menna Shalaby and Khalid Al Nabbawy — names synonymous with the big screen — have reportedly signed up to appear in television series this year.

Music

Celebs from the world of music are being more tight-lipped about their projects this year. However, we can reveal that Elissa will release a new album, the follow up to 2009's Tsadaq Bmein. The Lebanese singer was initially set to release the yet-to-be-titled album in 2011, but postponed the release due to the Arab uprising.

Lebanese counterpart Yara will release two records — one Egyptian-Lebanese and the other Khaleeji in the first half of this year, as will Egyptian singer Sherine, who is rumoured to be releasing her new CD by the end of this month.

The year 2012 could launch comeback for several other artists as well, including Mohammad Attia — who has just signed with Cube Records to release an album in the summer — as well as Ramy Sabry and Houssam Habib.

Thanks to the Arab uprising, underground-indie artists could also be making a name for themselves this year; perhaps even overtaking traditional Arab pop music. Aslanmedia.com have named its top five Arab artists to look out for — Egyptian hip-hop outfit Arabian Knightz, Palestine's DAM, singer-songwriter Emel Mathlouthi from Tunisia, Egyptian singer Ramy Essam, and Palestinian hip-hop artist Shadia Mansour.

Star gazing

As with the beginning of every year, prominent Tunisian astrologer Hassan Al Ashrani predicts some of Arabia's biggest stars. Here's what he thinks will happen to Lebanon's top three female singers this year.

Nancy Ajram:

"It will be a quiet year for Nancy with limited work activities for the star. I would advise her to keep air travel to a minimum, and also keep her guard up from those around her as someone might desert her during times of need. Although she will find happiness, I see a difficult time coming up for her as a close relation might suddenly become ill."

Haifa Wehbe:

"She needs to take care of what she says in the public as it might land her into trouble with influential figures in the music industry. As a result, she might suffer some financial losses at the beginning of 2012. Haifa will make a strong comeback, and this summer will be an amazing season for her. By the end of the year, Haifa may consider immigrating to another country after encountering a traumatic experience."

Elissa:

"The beginning of the year is going to be great for the star. She will witness some great success and perhaps with a new album. However, she's got to watch out for another female singer who is keen to compete with her and perhaps hijack her success. Meanwhile, love could be on the cards for Elissa as a man she is really fond of will come back into her life, and they will resolve their differences."

Arabia Online

"Women should rule the world - in a time when the Arab world is seeing so much change, women would do a great job of bringing about change."

— Hind Sabry

"Gada Kamal should be proud of standing up to the military. Marrying a woman like her would be an honour for me and any man in the world."

— Khalid Abol Naga