A few of my favourite things: Elissa

Why do people love Elissa? What makes my 4-year-old daughter exclaim joyfully, “Elissa...Elissa'', whenever she hears or glimpses her singing?

Maybe because Elissa's real. Maybe because she's close to us. That is, she sings lyrics responding to the emotions of everyday life.

Her voice is charming; her words and music are easy on the ear; once she begins singing, she keeps the audience dancing and singing till dawn. Besides, there is conscience in her songs, not just flirtation.

She's real because she's different, open, spontaneous and bold enough to live on her own terms.

The beginning

She rose to fame when she won the silver medal for her performance in Studio Al-fan in 1992, a talent show on LBC for young people.

She captured more attention with her hit duo Bitji Bitrouh with superstar Raghib Alama in her second album Wa-kherta Ma'ak in September 2000.

Big hits

Elissa gained international recognition with her massive hit Aysha-lak, the number one selling album in the Middle East in 2002. It was supported by a video clip filmed in Paris where she was dressed by Christian Dior.

She also scored two goals in the international music scene when she sang along with Chris de Burgh an Arabic-English song titled Lebanese Night, and when she performed with Sting at the pyramids of Egypt.

Her fourth album Ahla Dunya, released in 2004, was the fastest selling album in the Arab world. It led her to London to win the World Music Award in 2005 for the best selling album in Middle East and North Africa.

Her fifth album, Bas-tan-nak, brought her back to London to again win the World Music Award in 2006. She's now the top female star in the Arab world and the richest female Arabic singer.

Price of fame

But the price of fame has to be paid. She has been portrayed as a reckless and arrogant singer and attacked violently with rumours. The media has also highlighted her disputes with Haifa Wehbe and Nancy Ajram. Of course she has denied all these accustions, but is she happy?

On her father

My father is my ideal. He was great. He denied me nothing although he struggled to make ends meet. He was an ordinary official, but in his care I got a university degree [in political science] and lacked for nothing. He is so dear to me that I'm moved to tears when I talk about him. I confess I've grown up in a poor family, but I don't feel shame.

On Wael Kfoury

I'm proud of Wael Kfoury. He's an old friend. He used to drive me to the theatre at the time of Studio Al-fan. He's a man of great talent, honesty, confidence and generosity. Perhaps I'm his greatest fan. I often re-sing his songs when I'm on stage before the audience. He's very close to me and I love him as a brother.

On Fadle

Fadle Shakir is a true gentleman. He's so kind and so caring. We have a lot in common. We choose a definite type of lyrics and music and have the same types of fans. I love him so much. I think Fadle and Wael and I are following the same line.

On favourite singers

My favourite male singers are Raghib Alama, Fadle Shakir and Amr Diab. My favourite female singers are Warda, Umm Kalthoum and Fairuz.

On best memories

My favourite memory is when I sang in the presence of [former US president] Bill Clinton [in Dubai]. I was so excited when I heard his compliment. I also cherish the moments when I sang along with Chris de Burgh and when I fimed Aysha-lak in Paris, dressed and made up by Christian Dior.

On football

I was a huge fan of the Brazilian football team, but I can no longer support them as one of the players showed no respect for Lebanon. I admire the performance of the Argentine team as well as that of the Italian and French teams.

On Mr Right

I'm not involved with anyone. I'm looking for Mr Right and hope to find him in the near future. I prefer that he be Lebanese, but I don't mind if he is European. Some people get me wrong. I'm conservative and cherish family values. I dream of becoming a mother and pray this dream will come true soon.