Recent news reports stated that prominent Lebanese singer Ragheb Alamah had refused to have Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi guest on the popular talent show ‘Arab Idol’ the show that seeks the best singing talents in the Arab world. Ragheb is one of the three judges on the show along with UAE singer Ahlam and Egyptian composer Hassan Al Shafe’ee. The show is aired on the Arab satellite channel MBC.
Reports had it that Ragheb strongly refused suggestions to invite Haifa to the show and threatened to pull out from the show if the makers of the program insisted on having her. It was said that Ragheb had then said to the makers of the program that he is willing to have Haifa guest on the show on the condition that he will not be present during the episodes she will be in, a matter that was strongly refused by the program’s officials due to the fact that he is a very essential part of the show.
On her part, Haifa commented on the reports through her official account on the internet social network Twitter stating that such news is mere untrue rumors. She added that she is not well informed about the program and her being a guest was never suggested by anyone and she wishes that those making up such lies would stop it. She also stated that she hopes people would stop trying to create friction between her and Ragheb saying that he refuses to have her as a guest on the show. Haifa simply stated that if she wanted to be a guest on the show she would be and the matter is solely in the hands of the makers of the program.
The reports about Ragheb refusing to have Haifa on the show came after Ragheb had publicly said that if Haifa had auditioned for the program as one of the contestants she would never have passed due to her weak singing ability compared to the other contestants. Haifa had answered Ragheb back saying that she has proven to be a good singer and her popularity is proof that she is a success. She also added that the high demand for her live performances is also proof that she is a success.
