Lamitta Frangieh "I Haven't Been Raped On Camera"

Lebanese model turned actress Lamitta Frangieh is the gal most Egyptian producers and directors call on if they wanted a girl to bear it all, a girl that can tell raunchy jokes, play with the boys and look good in a bikini.  For Lamitta Frangieh, it's all business and all is for a paycheck. Nothing is wrong with that. For most Arab viewers, she has no standards as she seems to do more roles without her clothes than with.

But in one interview for Al-Ain newspaper, the model has shared with her criteria. "I have yet to appear in a role where I get raped," "Most of my roles have been light and humor filled" "If I do film a rape scene, then I have boundaries I won't cross," "at the end, I am a girl form the East"

She added, "those scenes have to be part of the plot and not feel forced" Lamitta's latest movie is a romantic comedy about Facebook about an Egyptian man who lives in Jordan and gets in trouble due to the social network site. The film will be dreicted by Jordanian American director Mohy Qandoor

النجمة اللبنانية لاميتا فرنجيه في مشهد ساخن ومثير


P.S. Rape is a serious issue and I do not take it lightly. I just think the comments were insensitive. 

Arab Men Now Seek Plastic Surgeries For Themselves

You have heard the rumors that men seek to make their wives more gorgeous than the next guy's so the put them under the knife in pursuit of perfection. Nip Tuck is also a popular procedure in places like Lebanon--a pioneer country in anything freaky. But the City of Dubai the one upper is refusing to let go and claiming something for themselves in the plastic business.

Dubai is the capital of fun in its part of the world, it's the place like Vegas of sort. But now they have entered the plastic and cosmetic surgery business with force. Only to find out that most of their clients now are actually men seeking to look younger and maybe with a smaller nose and more hair.

Foreigners are flocking Dubai along with locals seeking the thrill of surgeries. A local newpaper has reported that 68 K person have visited with a plastic surgeon. 15 k of those 68 k are visits by locals who have actually gong under the knife. The city has appointed a commissioner to promote this business for tourism. The report have interviewed a little girl who wanted her ears smaller, and another lady who wanted to add fat to her face.

تزايد إقبال الرجال على عمليات التجميل في الإمارات

Video: Sex And The City Mai Hariri & Fulla - Bahwak / مي حريري و فلة - بهواك

Female musicians do not collaborate often, not clear why. There has not been many duets where ladies share the stage and the lines of a song. But there is no conventional wisdom that says one is not supposed to do that.  It took two ladies in their prime to bring about fresh music video between two Arab ladies in recent history.

Lebanese Mai Hariri  and Algerian Fulla released a duet and a music video to go with their romantic song. Together offer one lethal combination, the incredible looks, the unmatched sense of style and most of all their singing voices. Each of the songstress does her thing very well, I love the Algerian part performed by Fulla--I think she should do more of this.

The music video had to be glamorous, lots of fashion, nice homes and fancy cars. This is the rich life everyone, get used to it. It feels like it has been filmed somewhere in Hollywood. And yes, there's an eye candy shirtless guy by the pool too. The music is your average house mix upbeat track. When you watch the music video, the lyrics are the last thing on your mind.

The music videos has it's Disney"up" moment with balloons and all. Not sure how I feel about ladies stepping on almost naked dudes. The dancers make the song relevant to some folks. I think the director for this clip deserves an ward for mixing so many different elements and making a watchable music video

Mai Hariri & Fulla - Bahwak / مي حريري و فلة - بهواك

Video: More On Miss Lebanon 2012 And Celebrities

Twins Rina and Romy Chibany were crowned Miss Lebanon 2012 and runner-up. This might be a good decsion given the medai coverage the decision has received.

The 21-year-old sisters, from Zahle in the Bekaa, were among 16 contestants from across Lebanon who took part in the competition, which included contests in the swimwear. Rina was handed over the crown by last year’s winner, Yara Khoury-Mikhael, and has now guaranteed her place in the Miss Universe contest, to be held in Las Vegas on Dec. 19.

Speaking to Elnashara news website moments after she was crowned, Rina said, “I’m very happy to have won. I promise to restore the pride of this position, in deeds, not in words. Read more

Also, she added, that she’d “have been much happier if my sister had won,” but vowed to cooperate with Romy throughout her reign. Aside for the two glamours sisters. Nancy Ajram was among the 9 judges. Wael Kfoury performed--though he was criticized for performing in playback and looking casual in one of his songs. Wael did well, give the man a break folks--rumor has it he has some family issues to deal with. SThe Nora Jones of Lebanon Hiba Thawji was in attendance and so was he Lebanses version of Lady Gaga Maya Diab.

Evidently, this was the place to be seen. There were drama too--they was a word of a rumored winner who tanked--which upset her father who took her away form the stage live on TV due to her low grades.


   رينا شيباني.. ملكة جمال لبنان للعام 2012

Pictures: Orange Arab Celebrities Tan Screw-ups

Egyptian songstress Soma had a recent concert in one of Egypt's hottest shopping malls--Sun City. The concert was part of the the shopping festival where big Arab names appear and sing for the thousands of mall goers who only have to be there--it's up to the mall then to sell them something.

Enough with that, Soma has a very exciting voice and a talent that helps her shape her voice to do happy and sad songs with the proper emotional strength. Take it from me, she can rock. But I am taking issue with is her tan that make her look like an orange. Soma performed for about an hour and the fans wanted more.

Not sure where Soma got the orange spray or a tanning bed. It's also possible that she has been on the beach for ages, but knowing my Arabs--we fear the freaking sun. I think it was a makeup misstep that left the songstress looking like an orange with a face.


الحرفنة ليها ناسها فى صن سيتى مول | Football Stylers at SunCity

Cyrine Abdelnour Gets Into The Lingerie Business

I give credit to the Gulf based Arab lingerie company for doing something people wanted. Start a bosh lingerie and sleepwear company, built its brand and always be on the media by hiring new stars to promote your brand. Among the Arab ladies who have singed up and endorsed the products are Diana Haddad, Yara, Razan Al Moghraby, and now Cyrine Abdelnour.

This is how you build a brand, you make a good product, you put on a show and pick beloved entertainers to make your product seem high end. The Dubai based company is doing something right, I think picking Cyrine Abdelnour is a clever move, she is on top of her game her TV drama "Ruby" was a massive hit. Her music career is about to see a surge. She is likable.

Nayomi is thriving in a conservative society that has a guilty pleasure of all things intimate. The CEO is doing his job by increasing the brand awareness without getting in fights with conservative voices. They only showcases the sleepwear not that other stuff. The brand has expanded into selling perfumes and lotions.

Nayomi Summer 2012 Collections Fashion Show with Yara

Maya Diab Tattoo Is Going Lady Gaga Weird

Maya Diab is a popular chick, a singer, a product promoter, and a TV hostess. She is a celebrity not non for anything in particular. But she seems to have seen a surge in popularity the past three years. She has been around for more than a decade now, but her time is now.

Her latest weirdness is a whole body tattoo done by an artist where it took him hours to do. This was a marketing stuns for makeup lines, more than 120 makeup artists took part of this show. Together they draw up/worked on more than 30 models. Maya Diab was the guest of honor as she is the sportsperson for that brand. Thanks the now infamous tattoo, the entire Arab world now knows of the brand--which I won't name here.

This is insane to see such events in the Arab world, such events are weird around the globe, they were received with mixed feedback. No wonder they chose the city of Beirut where tolerance is high as long as you can is art. Tattoo is a popular art from around the world, yet the religious communities in the Middle East and some here in the states continue to shun it.

I am happy they had the freedom to hold such bizarre show in downtown Beirut, still I think it;s weird what they are doing        

مايا دياب تغطّي جسدها بالوشم

Swarovski Middle Ages Fashion Show In Lebanon

Lebanon draws all kinds of tourists, and many of those like fashion. So Beirut makes one hack of a place for fashion shows. One company had a show over there and it was their annual show. Swarovski knows a thing or two about accessories and women jewelries. They are hard to miss in any of their malls and they seem to have consumers all over the world who appreciate their gems.

I know my friend Tony, a young Lebanese American always gives his mom on of the Swarovski gifts each Christmas.


سواروفسكي تطلق مجموعتها بروح العصور الوسطى

Tahra Hmamich Dabbles Into Modeling

Let's get one clear, she is not leaving the music scene anytime soon, but when a friend ask her to wear some of his fashion designers, she could not say no! 

Moroccan singer and former Star Academy participant Tahra was approached by her friend and home girl fashion designer Nisreen Elyahy to model some of her latest designers. Tahra did not hesitate and this looks like a gorgeous collaboration all around. Tahra has the height, the lean figure, and the that pleasant look and features.

Nisreen is not a new comer to the fashion game, other Arab celebrities have wore some of her designs including  including Susan Bader, Somya Khashab, Carol Samah, Hasna Zalagh, Nabeela Abid and the list goes on

Jwail Hatim "Joelle Hatem" Nude Lebanese Model

Jwail Hatim, some know her as a model the internet knows her as the girl who wears bikinis. She is Lebanese model with a foreign name. The dudes on the show where she appeared are encouraging her to pose for playboy. She has their full support or as they said, "this is the demonstration that we will join"  Jwail is pron in America to a Lebanese father and a Brazilian mother--she is a South Carolina native.

I have been doing some reading about her and she claims to have worked in Europe and in America, so she has nothing to hide. Among her statements, I do not mind posing for Playboy if it's an artistic shot. Jwail think the folks in Lebanon are not cultured enough to tell the difference between porn and artistic nudity. "I don't feel ashamed, I love my body" she has said in an interview here

She has been known for being bold and doing jobs other models won't do, she has been popular with magazine covers. She likes sports and avoids carbs and fat. I do not know what to think of her, she seems to have a good career out of what she is doing. If people did not like her, she would stop doing what she is doing.

Mtv- Joelle - lebanese international TOP MODEL


جويل حاتم تبدي استعدادها للظهور بمجلة بلاي بوي

Celebrity Look-Alike: Fares Karam and Amr Diab

I never thought I would see the day where I will say this, but do not you think in the pictures above, two Arab stars look alike?

The first is for Egypt's King of pop Amr Diab in a concert, the second is for the Lebanese King of pop and Debka. Not only do they look a like under the light, and not only do their skin color look alike under the same spotlight, they are also dressed and styled and groomed the same way.

Fares' Karam's picture is the most recent one in a concert at home (Arez Jaj Music Festival), which does not mean that someone copied another. This just a happen accident where tow lovable stars get to look like one another just for one minute. But that does not mean, we will not point to this and see how similar we all are.

Fares Karam -New megamix 2012 - Lebanese Wedding music

Haifa Wahbe Outshines The Prettiest Ladies Of Lebanon

Not sure, who thought about that, but Haifa was invited to take part of a big celebration for Lebanese models. After all, her album was title MJK, stands for Miss Universe, so she is a natural choice to kick off the concert. But then she upstaged everyone and their mother. She is like this energy source that sucks everything around it and people gravitate toward her.

She is tall, dresses fancy, and looks good. But few can get the news headlines the organizers want than Haifa Wahbe. She likes to hang out with other gorgeous people.

Women wore some fancy dresses, short ones, underwear and such to find the one lady that will go on to represent the country, the culture and the people of Lebanon. More than 400 lady wanted the title of Lebanon Super Model. They had to be younger than 22 years old and have a college degree. Elaph interviewed the organizers and the guy fashion designer. Haifa though rocked the hall and seemed like an event from the great city of New York. Haifa had few looks as she took on the stage to perform her latest pop hits.


هيفا تخطف الأضواء من أجمل عارضات لبنان

Ragheb Alama Releases His Fregrance "Notes D'amour"

Ragheb Alama is a business man all around, he makes music to make a living and he appears on TV for the cash  Now comes his latest business venture "Notes D'amour". The Lebanese singer has released a new cologne for man. He has already held a huge event for it in Kuwait and he is about to go to Tunisia to launch it in that country.

I have yet to put my hands on the fragrance, but form the picture is seems to be from the fresh and verde school. Ragheb has posed for the poster of his "Notes D'amour" in the fashion of many of those Hollywood personalities doing the same thing--I still think he could have put on a watch.

Ragheb had plans to launch his cologne in Lebanon but due to the instability there he went on Twitter and blasted the situation over there. So far he has deferred the launch in Beirut. I think selling such products is a smart thing--women celebrities in Arabia have been doing that for some time. Now comes the man's turn in the grooming section.

Mohamed Hamaki 2012 Album Art Cover

I know in this image obsessed world of ours cover images are kind of important to the artists and to the fan who wants a piece of his favorite entertainer.  Hamak traveled the world to bring us a good cover art for his 2012 album and I think he has mangaed to preserve his cool hair, his smile and put them in a good concept. 

الأن بالاسواق - البوم حماقي الجديد - من قلبي بغني

Dubai Mall Fashion Show And Models

Many people have many opinions about Dubai, some love it, others not so much. One thing, this city is trying to do is be an open city....you want to put a fashion show in a fancy hotel, Dubai! Want to party till the morning and stay in the highest hotel in the world, come to Dubai! Want to drive nice and obnoxious cars, Dubai as it too. You want sports? Dubai got awesome venues!

Now, the city is doing something I am fond off, promote women fashion designers from withing that country. They sponsor local brands, and bring in the local ladies who have a knack for fashion, then they put on a good fashion show and with that sales come.

This has been going on since 2004, and the latest fashion show for modest dresses just wrapped up in Dubai. Rich Arab ladies form all over the world come and help stimulate the Dubai economy. Just look at the cat walk and see all the people standing and cheering for this new fad.

I think this is a cool idea, they close a section of the mall and put out a good show. I have always liked Dubai and people form there, but I am sensing the city is changing and women are trying to speak like they do in places like Beirut--dropping English and French references..

إماراتيات يتفوقن في أزياء الشلية والعباية

Nahwa, The Surprisingly Good Retro Album البوم نهوى - ما جانى نوم 2012

When you are a young (and good looking) Lebanese woman, you have many ways of entering the music business. One particular lady had a different thought, I want to pay homage to those stars and singers who came before me by channeling their style and music, but I will do it with my own terms and my fresh content. This is a formula that few can master, form what we see so far, Nahwa has done very well.

She has already performed in concerts at home and abroad. She has just released her debut album with either amazing tracks, but that's not enough to get people talking with which Nahwa's fame would be shaped. She posed for a period cover album. She seems to have come form a long time ago, an era that we have always fancies and dubbed as "the good old days"

Therefore, Nahwa's album is dedicated to the Bedouin dialect, that is loved (and understood) all over the Arab world. I know, I am not the only one cheering this throwback to an era as it does not have to end with the charismatic diva Samira Tawfik.

01 - Allah Yekhaleki Yoma
02 - Atshana
03 - Janen Janen
04 - Lansob Khema
05 - Ma Gani Noom
06 - Mawal Hagrek
07 - Shbedak Bya
08 - Terqos Ala Geroohi

Nahwa - Ma jani Nom 2011(Original)


نهوى تصوِّر أغنيتين بكليبٍ واحدٍ

Again Saudi MBC Prostitutes Lebanon During Ramadan

I have one question for people appearing on this video....this is a Ramadan function on a station owned by Saudis, a network that claims to have the biggest and most watched TV show, namely about the second Muslim Caliph "Omar", I m ready to say that the guy who is talking about the show has no idea who Omar is and thus he has the IQ of a bag of hammer.

back to my question, if the people who appear on this video are Muslims they ought to be ashamed of themselves for their revealing clothes during the holy month. Why would the Saudis hold such parties in Lebanon, would they ever allow similar events at home? Not in a million year

If they are Christians, that's fine and dandy, but would they ever wear such clothes to a church function? Not in a million year they would. This is what you wear to a cheap night club, not at some social function. And yes there are tons of kisses, hugs and smooches.

Why would they then show up to a Sahour meal--the meal Muslims eat before starting their fast at the break of down. These people have no class, nor they should be celebrated for being so insensitive to one Muslims and two to their viewers.

You see there were few guys dressed in the Saudi national dress-the white spotless dress and red head cover, and this guy is hanging out with the ladies dressed so provocatively in the holy month. I do not really care what they wear, this is where I differ with most critics, I only want them to be respectful of the holy month if they are as an Ramadan event sponsored by a network that claims to be moderate. What qualifies this network to air shows talking about the virtues of Islam when it comes to their own life--they are hardly Muslims.

Again MBC misses the mark with unprecedented ignorance and elitist mindset.

MBC تقيم سحوراً بحضور نخبة من النجوم

Al Massih, When DJ's Step In For Composers Role

Technology has killed many careers, I am beginning to think with computers, editing software and affects being so cheap now, composers might be on their way out. As more and more songs nowadays are assembled by DJ's who have become very good at arranging beats to making them look and sound fresh. DJ's do often come up with new music, using other old elements that already exist.


This is the kind of music, Arabs are now into House beats are everywhere and they seem to be accessible or cheap to get. Maybe it's that life is moving in a faster pace now. Whatever it's, one guy in Lebanon with the name Walid Al Massih has moved from DJ'ing into composing music, while most of his stuff goes to his songstress wife Maya Nehme, he does give his work to some up and coming singers. He also arranges music  and makes upbeat tracks for other household names.   

See his latest musical arrangements for the new single for Maya Nehme, a seasoned and an ward winning dancer and now pop singer. Such music is no different than what Americans call here Euro Trash, but this very trash is very well known around the globe. It does bring so much energy for the party loving young folks around the globe.

Aside from that, you will like the many looks and dance moves Maya brings out for her latest hit. She comes to the business with a professional career in dance choreography where she has a school and a degree in music.  So no surprise that her song has all the making of a modern day global pop hit--if it was not for the fact that she sings in Arabic, and not English.

Update: I was not talking down DJ's, I am just suggesting that more and more DJ's and music arrangers are filling in for traditional composers--dude with a oud or guitar. This might be a fact as we now get a lot more songs that we used to get 20 years ago.

Am Fakker - Maya Nehme / عم فكر - مايا نعمه

Joe Ashkar 015 2012 Album With 15 Tracks

Lebanese pop ain't dude, it's the opposite. Just ask Lebanon's hardest working party show business guru Joe Ashkar. Joe has released a 15 track album which he has cleverly titled 015. He remains one of the sharpest dresser, and the man most men want to copy, he has a signature style with the slim fit suites. He has has a venue in Lebanon's biggest concert venue....at a Casino where he hold weekly concerts that bring the best of the shoebiz.

His album is about romance, fights, breakups and everything in between. I do like Joe's music, he seems to take it seriously, not just a DJ making music for his songs. The mixing and the mastering seems top notch.

The album is made for female consumption, but males who are helpless romantics will find it interesting to listen to and try to copy some of its lines. Frankly, the album is for the grown up romantic. The song who has seen love up close and personal, not  freshman romantic who might not relate to its lyrics.

Romance for the refined soul is what Joe is going for and he does a really good job at it. He also has few playful songs where he has released as singles in the span of three years.  Like his   Dakhel El Ghannouj that has a music video worthy of stations like the European MTV. On that note, Joe has actually received an ward from the Euro MTV.


This Lebanese super star is doing a favor to his other countrymen as he leads the way in pop music and his music video who are both bold and visionary keep things interesting at home and abroad. Joe Ashkar might not appeal to everyone, but he has always shown to be capable of picking new fans and claiming resepct.  With his 15 track songs, you know the album will change moods and beats, which ensures a musical experience for all tastes out there.   

 01.Ta’ai
02.Keda Keda
03.Men Qal
04.Dakhel El Ghannouj
05.El Shab El Arabi
06.Habibet Albe
07.Kezzabi
08.Sayerlou
09.Akh Ya Bouy
10.Yesa’ad Ayamak
11.Ya Oumi
12.Ta’ai [Shear Wa Ghouna]
13.Rjehtella
14.Mili Mili
15.Aa'l Youma

Joe Ashkar - Dakhel El Ghannouj / جو أشقر - داخل الغنوج


Joe Ashkar - Ta3ee جو أشقر - تعي

Soltan Zamany - Khaled El Taib سلطان زمانى - خالد الطيب

Funky songs are back with Khaled El Taib new single. I ADORE the music for the clip, but I am not too crazy about the music video filmed in some mall in Jordan and parking lot. I look the trendy singer whose funk look and movements make him the one to keep an eye on.

I do like the flow and the beat, and the simplistic lyrics. It's hard to fake cool, so I think Khalid has made it look easy. I also like the title of his song....the Sultan of my time! I like happy, funky songs when they are well made, and I think we have one here.

Soltan Zamany - Khaled El Taib سلطان زمانى - خالد الطيب