Showbiz Arabia: Latest gossip from the Arab world

Even though she is one of the best-known female artists to emerge from Lebanon, there's no doubt that 2011 has done wonders for Najwa Karam.

The 45-year-old superstar, who has sold over 50 million records since her debut in 1989, made her reality television debut in January when she was chosen as one of the judges on Arabs Got Talent.

The MBC show, which was tremendously successful across the region, saw Najwa become "the nice judge" on a panel that also included Amr Adeeb. Millions of viewers fell in the love with the kind-hearted singer who was never harsh to the contestants but was fair in putting the right talent through to the finals.

Following the end of the show's first season, Najwa released her 19th album, Hal Leila... Ma Fi Noum in June, and went on to become the first singer in the Middle East to earn the distinction of shooting a music video in 3D. The music video for Ma Fi Noum, also featured Moroccan Arabs Got Talent contestant, Abdul Malek Al Baljani.

Here, Najwa talks about her new album, next single, as well as whether she'll be returning to the next season of Arabs Got Talent.

You achieved tremendous success with the debut single off your new album. Have you decided which song is going to be released next?

Yes, I have filmed the music video for Shu hal Layla, so expect that on your screens very soon. The reason I chose it is because I love the song very much, and after I performed it on Star Academy, my fans were messaging me asking me to release it as a single, so I am very excited.

Do you have plans to release any other singles off the album?

Yes, I want to shoot a music video for another song, and at the moment, I am 99 per cent sure that it will be for Law Bas Taaref. For that song, I am aiming for a Valentine's Day release, hopefully.

You became the first Arab artist to shoot a video in 3D. How was that experience?

Fantastic. For me, it is important to work with directors who are experienced and know how to use the camera in music. It is also important for directors to have soul. They must be passionate about the song they are filming, and also must like the artist — otherwise the video just won't work.

I always choose storyboards that suit my personality. I do not like taking on quirky or unique ideas, because I know they will not suit me.

Some critics had some negative things to say about Ma Fi Noum.

You know what, not everyone will like what you do. But when I see my fans requesting the song over and over again at my shows, and I see positive reviews, and good sales and downloads, then I do not need to respond to those critics. Because success speaks for itself.

Are you going to be participating in season two of Arabs Got Talent?

Yes, definitely. It was such a great experience, and there's no doubt it helped my career in the sense that I reached a wider and different audience. People got to see a side of me they normally do not see — they got to see Najwa Karam as a human being rather than Najwa Karam the singer.

For the second season, I think I am going to be more relaxed, because I am used to it all now. I still won't be horrible to contestants, because there is no need to be rude, but I would never put someone through just because I felt sorry for them.