Maria denies singing for Umm Kalthoum

Lebanese singer Maria has denied circulating rumors that she recorded a collection of songs for the late Egyptian diva Umm Kalthoum and that she filmed music videos for the songs directed by director Jad Shwieri and produced by the music channel ‘Melody’.

Maria stressed that she has great respect for the late diva and her songs, but she ‘Maria’ has her own style of music that is different from that of Umm Kalthoum and she had never considered singing any of her songs.

It was rumored that Maria vowed to steer away from her usual style of seduction in her music videos, and that she would never again depend on sleazy clips and songs of low quality to achieve fame.

It was said that Maria had reached an agreement with 'Melody' to record a number of songs for the late diva and plans to film some of them in the form of music videos.

This rumor caused anger to break out among the heirs of the late singer, who consider Maria singing songs for Umm Kalhoum an insult. The heirs stated that Maria will only degrade the essence of Umm Kalthoum's songs, and to have someone like Maria sing her songs is unacceptable.

It was added that if Maria went on with her plan, the heirs will take legal actions against her.

Maria had been absent from the scenes the past two years and finally returned with the new album "Wirji't Tani" (I have returned again).

Maria has separated from her business manager Jad Sawaya, and stated that he was the one who forced her to acquire the former style of seducing viewers to gain fame. She added that she will be taking a new path that will only depend on her ability and talent to sing.

Maria's new album features eight songs in the Egyptian dialect.  She worked with Lebanese composers Zaher Al Baba and Talal Qantar on the album, as well as Egyptian composer Sharif Taaj who presented her with the composition for the song "Nefertiti."