Showbiz Arabia: Latest gossip from the Arab World

Elissa is one busy lady. Not only is she busy promoting her Greatest Hits album, as well as constantly performing in the region, the Lebanese superstar has just been appointed as a goodwill ambassador to the Arab region by IIMSAM.

The charity, which is part of the United Nations, said it chose the singer because of her "popularity in this region, and we are confident she will have an active role in the organisation's efforts in the Gulf and rest of the Middle East."

This role probably comes as a welcome distraction for Elissa who hasn't had the best year so far.

Earlier this month, the 38-year-old revealed to friends that she had split with her partner, Libyan businessman Tarek Al Khaytouni — just months before their wedding — after learning he had allegedly physically abused his ex-girlfriends.

And despite Arabic media reports speculating that this recent accolade is merely a publicity stunt — in order to keep Elissa in the limelight — the star is fiercely determined to live up to the title.

 "I will be doing my best to serve the Arab community, and with this new stage in history, guiding and helping the younger and future generations is important as ever," Elissa said.

It was revealed this week that Elissa will kick-off her humanitarian efforts by helping those in need in Benghazi, Libya, although it was not made clear whether she will actually fly to the North African country.

tabloid! met the singer to find out more about her involvement with IIMSAM.

Congratulations on being appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador.

Thank you. I am very excited and hugely honoured to be given this responsibility, and I hope I live up to IIMSAM's expectations.

The Arab world is currently witnessing transformations that will leave its mark for generations to come.

Some are saying you may become the Angelina Jolie of the Arab world.

Who wouldn't love to follow in her footsteps, and do just some of the amazing humanitarian work she carries out? I would love to be like Angelina Jolie, and help our communities, especially with all the conflict currently happening across the region. A lot of people need aid and assistance.

What will your role entail?

There are different things, but one that is of great focus at the moment is the situation in Libya.

You spend a lot of time in Dubai. Do you ever think of living here?

Dubai is like my second home, but of course Lebanon will always be in my heart. I love visiting Dubai and performing here.

I enjoy meeting fans and interacting with the audience at my shows. I have a concert coming up this Friday alongside Joseph Attieh, and I am really looking forward to it.

Recent news reports suggested that you are banned from entering Egypt following the overthrowing of the country's government. Is this true?

No, it is not true. I also read about that, but I can assure you that I am not banned from Egypt.

There's some trouble in the academy

Week three of Star Academy 8 kicked-off with Lamia Jamal from Tunisia being voted out of the show, leaving 18 contestants in the house. And this season is possibly the most dramatic compared to the previous seven runs.

First of all, Syrian contestant Sarah Farah is certainly not making any friends in the house. Not only is she, in my opinion, annoyingly arrogant, she does nothing but argue with others.

And this week, following numerous outbursts over trivial issues, Farah overstepped the mark by accusing Egyptian participant Karim Kamel of being, er, the opposite of straight.

The reason? Well, rumour has it, she had a crush on Kamel, while Kamel actually has a crush on Palestinian Layan Bilzimat.So she decided to go around spreading rumours.

Oh, how very mature. There was bad news for Lebanese contestant Christine Saade, who learned that her grandfather had been hospitalised.

Thankfully, the show's producers allowed her to leave the Academy to visit him.Check out episode number four this Friday, with performances by special guests Melhem Zein and Eddy Wata. The three students facing elimination this week are Mohammad Rahma (Bahrain) for the second time, Abdul Salam (Kuwait) and Hussam Taha (Syria).

Talking the talk

Khalid Abol Naga was in Abu Dhabi yesterday to give a lecture at the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) about the current situation in the Arab world.

The Egyptian actor is one of the most politically outspoken artists in the field, blogging about this year's popular uprisings in the region. He participated in January protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square, witnessing and being subjected to the violence that occurred in the hands of the now overthrown government, as outlined in his official blog.

Arabia Online

"It will be postponed until 2012. Due to the current unstable conditions in Egypt, a lot of films have been put on hold for a while."

— Tamer Hosni and film producer Mohammad Al Sobky on their filmOmar w Salma 3.