Disputes broke out between Lebanese singers Marwa and Haifa Wahbi when each accused the other of stealing her idea from her latest music video.
Haifa claims that she filmed her song “Rajab” (translation) wearing an Egyptian Jalabia, traditional dress, long before Marwa filmed her clip “Sheel Eedak” (Take Your Hand Off), in which she is also wearing a Jalabia.
Marwa defended her position by stating that when she filmed her clip she had no prior knowledge that any other singer had released a similar video. She requested that the director create a traditional Egyptian atmosphere, which is her style in most of her clips, she explained.
On a different note, producers of the reality TV program “Al Wadi” (The Ranch) have announced that they received a formal letter from Haifa’s managing office informing them of her official withdrawal from the show.
Haifa’s departure from the ‘Ranch’ was filmed live and she had requested the camera person stop filming, saying, “If you are filming me pack, stop, I want to leave, I am fed up and want to be alone.” The singer left her room at the ranch in tears seeking solitude and peace of mind.
It is not clear whether Haifa will return to the show after she has recovered. The organizers of the show understood the singer’s condition and knew she needed to take a break, especially after the emotional trauma she experienced breaking off her engagement.
Numerous tabloids covered her engagement to Saudi tycoon Tareq Jafali, and then their breakup, without any official announcement from either side to verify the validity of all the rumors.
Finally an official press release from Haifa confirmed her separation from Tareq, without stating the reasons behind the breakup. According to the London based Elaph, Haifa did not state the reasons due to the fact that she felt the matter is a private one and as a form of respect to Tareq.
