Model turned singer Myriam Klink was ordered not to leave Lebanon Monday, following over six hours of police questioning days after the artist’s now-banned music video flooded social media.
Online sharing of the “Goal” music video, which features a scantily clad Klink and suggestive lyrics, was banned by Justice Minister Salim Jreissati Saturday.Klink, singer Jad Khalife who appears in “Goal” and the director of the video Mahmoud Ramzi, were summoned to the Hobeich police station in Beirut. All were released Monday but barred from leaving the country while investigations continue.
Klink appeared defiant as she left the police station wearing a black dress, gloves and sunglasses.
“Goal. That’s all I’m going to say,” she told reporters.
“Klink became a case in this country although I didn’t do anything.”
Her performance in the video saw her join B-list star Khalife to sing about “playing football.” The video’s on-screen antics alluded to explicit activity.
Jreissati cited the video’s inclusion of a young girl as an instance of “exploitation.” The girl’s mother was questioned by police Monday.
“Goal” was released Friday. Jreissati discussed the video with Information Minister Melhem Riachi over the weekend, before deciding to impose a ban. Judge Roland Chartouni officially issued the ruling Saturday.
Khalife Monday defended the video’s inclusion of the child by pointing out that fellow Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe had included children in a prior music video, “and nobody made such a big deal out of it.”
Addressing the media after being questioned, Khalife denied that his involvement in the video was calculated for career-advancement.
“The video was very ordinary,” he said, and its message was symbolic.
Ad-Diyar newspaper reported Monday that Klink tried to flee to Dubai Sunday night to avoid questioning, only for Beirut airport security officials to turn her back.
Despite the ban, “Goal” was still accessible via U.S.-based YouTube and the clip has reportedly been widely shared via private messaging service WhatsApp.
Prior to her police summons, Klink was seen relishing the social media frenzy unleashed by her latest release. She took to Twitter Sunday to write, “All this attention for ME?? Hihihi, thank you Lebanon.”
This is not the first time Klink has found herself embroiled in controversy. The 2012 “Klink Revolution” music video featured her carrying an assault rifle and criticizing Lebanon’s elites. She has received criticism for supporting Syria’s embattled president, Bashar Assad.
