Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi has denied circulating rumors that she has accepted an offer to star in the upcoming comedy television series “Hub Sakhin Jidan” (Real Hot Romance) alongside prominent Syrian actors Duraid Laham and Rafiq Al Suba’ei. Haifa stressed that she never even received such an offer let alone accept the role.
According to the Egyptian based weekly, Al Nogoom, it was rumored that scenarist Faisal Nada had nominated Haifa for the leading role in the series and saw her as the best candidate for the role.
The series is to be aired on Syrian television during the holy month Ramadan (Muslim fasting month) and is scheduled to begin shooting of the scenes in May. The series tackles the issue of human beings basic rights in the era of globalization. Numerous prominent Egyptian actors and actresses are also scheduled to take part in the series in different episodes as guests of honor.
Haifa is scheduled to visit to the United States of America for three weeks where she will meet Lebanese film producer Elie Samaha, who is the Chairman/CEO of Franchise Pictures, which has fast become one of the most prolific production and co-financing companies in the entertainment industry. Haifa has been nominated to be in Elie's upcoming film "Ali Baba" alongside international actor Antonio Bandares and Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury.
Samaha was currently on a visit to his roots in Lebanon with Oscar winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr.. The purpose of the visit was mainly studying the idea of a new movie, in which Wahbi is be in leading her towards international stardom.
"She is very cute," Samaha said of Haifa with whom he has lately been nightclubbing in Beirut along with Gooding Jr. and Lebanese singer Wael Kfouri, who hails from Samaha's hometown of Zahleh. Samaha confirmed that he is planning to introduce Kfouri in the new film "Ali Baba" in which Antonio Banderas stars. "But Kfouri is not going to be the only lucky one… Haifa may well steal the limelight." The film falls under the action genre and is scheduled to be filmed in the US, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Wahbi has been the phenomenon of the year 2003; she had her own style in singing and offered something new that none of her competitors did before. She did not claim to be a singer, and instead she insists to referred to as a performer, which is what she likes to call herself. She was able to take her popularity internationally and became the center of talks and lights, which ended by being personally interviewed on the international television network CNN.
Haifa disclosed that CNN had reflected a bright point of view about Lebanon and the people and expressed her happiness to be one of Lebanon's friendly faces. She added that she felt very proud as the cameras" onmouseover="window.status = 'goto: cameras';return 1" onmouseout="window.status=''">cameras were following her and showing the amount of appreciation people hold towards her and her art. –Albawaba.com
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
