Diana Haddad

Diana Haddad ديانا حداد
Birth name	Diana Joseph Fouad Haddad
Also known as	Diana Haddad
Born	October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01) (age 35) Bsalim, Lebanon
Origin	Lebanon
Genres	Pop folk, Emirati, Lebanese, Khaleeji
Occupations	Singer, Producer, Philanthropist, Television Personality
Years active	1992–present (singing)
Labels	Nojoom Music (2002–2009) Alam El Phan (2002–2005) Stallions (1996–2002)
Website	Official website

Diana Joseph Fouad Haddad (Arabic: ديانا جوزيف فؤاد حداد‎) (born in Bsalim, Lebanon on 1 October 1976) is a Lebanese singer and television personality with Emirati citizenship. Mainly known as Diana Haddad, she is one of the most popular and successful singers in the Arab World and has been so since the late 1990s. She was a record-breaker since her first song Saken in 1996, and she is still considered one of the most successful Arab female singers and one of the best selling singers in the Arab World. Haddad does not limit herself to one music style, she knows how to present a very wide range, moving from the most rhythmic songs to the slow romantic ones. Haddad first came to fame in 1993 when she just 16. While she was recording her first album she appeared on the Arabic talent show Studio El Fan in Beirut performing the traditional Lebanese folk song written by Elias Abou Azala Tayr El Yammameh which would be included on her first album Saken.

Three years later, the release of her debut album Saken, which featured her single Saken, Lagaitek, a cover of Issam Rajji's old hit, and Al-Sahra. Soon, after she became a mother to her first child, a daughter Sophie. In 1997 she released one of the most successful albums in her discography, Ahl Al Esheg, which included the hit single Ahl Al Esheg. She released the most popular pop album of the 1990s Ammanih. In 2000s she released the more critically acclaimed and successful albums Awel Marrah and Diana 2006.^[1] In 2007 Haddad gave birth to her second daughter Mira in Dubai. On 30 October 2008, Haddad released her second long waited Khaliji (Gulf Arabic) album Men Diana Illa.^[2]

In April 2009, Haddad was dubbed by the Arab press^[who?] as being one of the year's most the influential Middle East artists.^{[citation needed]}

Biography

Early years

Haddad was born to a Maronite Christian father Joseph Haddad and a Shiite Muslim mother Mouna Haddad in a small village called Bsalim in Lebanon on 1 October 1976.^[3][4][5] Her talent was discovered at an early age when she won the televised talent show, Studio el Fan. Haddad is the third born, with two older brothers and one younger brother and sister. Diana was raised in Kuwait and educated at the Al Feheheel National School. Haddad was only 16 when she started working on her debut album. The album took three years to prepare since Haddad was also working on her high school degree followed by her associate degree in Computer Science. During this time Haddad met the Emirati TV director Suhail Al-abdool. They got married in 1995. They worked together exclusively, which drew some criticism from media and led to them deciding to artistically separate in 2003 to end false rumours of divorce and Diana's career being centred around her husband. Haddad and Al-abdool have one daughter, Sofy, born in July 1997. Haddad has produced several albums and established a very solid fan base – she is known for maintaining the same level of success, popularity and great performances, like a few other female Arabic singers like from the 1980s and 1990s, such as Majida El Roumi, Latifa, Samira Said, Asalah Nasri, Angham, Elissa, Najwa Karam, Nawal Al Zoghbi and the late Thekra. Haddad is well known as being an elegant singer but still keeping the conservative Arabic traditions that actually attracted more fans and is critically acclaimed by the reviews of being "a great talent, a respectful diva". Haddad was granted an honorary citizenship from the UAE, many officials stated that "Diana is like a daughter for us, married to a UAE citizen and always being very active in the national and traditional events make her nothing less than one of us".

1996–1998: Early success

In 1996, and after three years of hard work, Haddad released her debut album, Saken. The album instantly became a major hit all over the Arab World. The songs Lagetik, El-Sahra, and the title track Saken were released almost simultaneously and all became major hits, with the album winning a Platinum Award for its sales for selling over a 800,000 copies in one year (rare thing to accomplish for a debut album). Her second album Ahl Al Esheg, which was released February 1997, continued along the lines established by her debut album.

The album was yet another hit for Haddad, especially the title song. By that time, Haddad had truly established herself as a top selling Lebanese singer. In that year Haddad participated in Carthage Festival (one of the best festivals in the Arab world till now) more the 20,000 people attended her concert and considered as one of the best one in the festival of that year, but even greater things lay ahead. Haddad's third album Ammanih was released late in 1997. The album was a hit and was the most successful album in that Year and still holds the record for being one of the best-selling albums in the Arab Music History and Haddad's best-selling album till now, featuring different styles and different music genres that she had never done before. The album sold millions of copies, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe, the US, and internationally. The title track became her signature song, to date her most popular work ever. Ammaneh, at 1998 Haddad was chosen along with Julia Boutros, Mohammed Fouad to represent The Middle East at the HollyWood Planet Ceremony which was held at UAE. Yammaia, her fourth album, was released in late 1998. What is unique about Yammaia is that each song on the album was sung in a different Arabic dialect: Classical Arabic, Egyptian, Lebanese, and Khaliji. In Yammaia, Haddad touched on several topics, such as love, life and death, faith, and virtue.

1999: Shater (Clever) and Conversion to Shia Islam

In the summer of 1999, Haddad released her fifth album, Shater which means Clever in Arabic. Shater's music was modern pop with a mixture of varied Arabic folk lore and even an Arabized Adaptation of a popular Assyrian song "Bagiye" she sung in the Syrian dialect. It showed an upbeat side to Haddad's music and the Arabic genre in general, enjoying the most simple things in life such as nature and the sun. Shater continued along the lines of Ammanih; several collaborations and joyful music. The single Shater also achieved Huge success Topping more than 17 radio, TV Charts for more than 4 Months according To MBC. The video was shot in Dubai by her husband. It would also be an important year since, in October that same year Diana Haddad officially converted to Islam and became a Shiite Muslim in honour of deceased Muslim mother Mouna who died in 1998. However, her decision met with strong opposition from her Maronite Christian father Joseph Haddad and some of her other relatives for awhile. She went on to do Umrah that same year in Mecca. Diana Haddad rarely speaks openly about her religious beliefs stating its personal and only between her and God. Prior to her official conversion Haddad did thorough research into Shia Islam and she once stated in an interview in Al-Jareema magazine, that attending the lectures of Islamic scholars Sheikh Al-Shrawi and Tarek Swaed is also what motivated her to convert. ^[6]

2000–2003: Musical maturity

Expanding the horizons of her singing career, Haddad released her sixth album, Jarh Al Habib, in the summer of 2000. Jarh Al Habib featured pop and classic cuts, ranging from slow-themed love song Ba´ali Zaman to the fast paced anthem Mani Mani, to the Wade´e El-Safi tribute "Noor Enayeh" to the title track, which was a collaboration with, and a tribute to, the musician Mohammed El-Ezabi. Jarh Al Habib established an image of an older, more artistically mature and diverse Haddad. Diana Haddad was scheduled to tour the USA in 2000 in 15 cities but later canceled the concerts, in solidarity with the Palestinian people during the 2000 second Intifada. Haddad went on to record and shoot a video of a song in dedication to this Al Haq Yaktubo Min Dami (The Right is Written in My Blood).^[7] Akhbar Helwa, Haddad's seventh album showed a marked transition of her style. It was released in July 2001 and contains nine hits such as, Elli Fi Balli, Akhbar Helwa, Ela Habibi and El Huwara. Law Yesaloni was the eighth album and included songs such as Ashwaq, Baad Eyonak, Hasabtah, Kma Kum, Laitny Ma Arftek and Law Yesaloni. Haddad has always released one or two Khaliji songs on her albums, but this was the first time for her to release a 100% Khaliji album. Indeed, she was the first Lebanese artist to release a full Khaliji album.

2004–2007: Diverse and international success

Haddad's next album, initially titled "Diana 2003", was supposed to be released in the summer of 2003. However, Diana was not satisfied with the overall product so she decided to record more songs and remove others, the thing which caused delays. The album was released in spring 2004, and named "Awel Mara". The album contains several types of music such as R&B and pop, again with several varieties of Arabic: Egyptian, Khaliji, Lebanese, and for first time singing in Moroccan Arabic. The album debuted at #1 at Virgin Mega Stores in Kuwait, UAE, Egypt. Haddad returned to prominence with the release of this album and its hit singles Waily, Saheby, Awel Marrah and Law Ma Dakhalt Be Rassi. Waily was the debut of the album at the hit show Star Academy Arab World and went on to be a success all over the Arabic countries, topping the charts. Soon after Haddad released the song Awel Marrah, another number one single and topped the three main Arabic music charts on Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC), Arab Radio and Television Network (ART), Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation and Dubai TV for nine weeks. In 2005, Haddad sang in a concert in Islamabad, Pakistan making her the first Arab and Lebanese singer to participate in any such event there.

Haddad's tenth album was released in March 2006. She called it Diana 2006. Six lead singles were released in different regions of the Arab World: the Raï single Mas and Louly which featured the Algerian Raï singer, Cheb Khaled, and was the biggest hit in that year debuting at #1 on more than 5 Arab radio stations and peaking at #1 on more than 20 other Arab radio stations, making it the best duet of 2006 & best video clip of 2006, the two Egyptian singles Zay Al Sokar and Aadi which featured Haddad in a new romantic look. The Khaliji song Hasafah was a hit on the Arab Gulf charts, and the Lebanese song Awayed Adeemeh was the best folk song in Lebanon song for 2006, along with the folk song Athab El hawa, a song from Syrian folklore.

The album was successful and given good reviews in Lebanon, Egypt, the Maghreb and Khaleej areas. In February, Haddad won awards for "Best Female Solo Artist" and "Best Video Clip" for Mas And Louly in Egypt. According to Stars Cafe Mage ( Now Hits Marker ) the Album Diana 2006 was one of the best-selling albums of the year and stayed at #1 for 10 weeks and styed on the charts for the whole year. According to Hitmarker & Virgin Mega Stores the album Diana 2006 was the third best-selling album of the year between 1 August 2005 and 31 July 2006 behind Amr diab & Sherin. Haddad gave birth to a baby girl in Dubai, 26 November 2007, named Mira. The music video of the lead single Mas and Louly was directed by a Lebanese director, Laila Kanaan, who directed the music video of the fourth Egyptian single Aadi. In March 2008 Haddad released the fourth single Athab El Hawa from her album Diana 2006, directed by her friend Nahla Al Fahad, which premiered on Melody TV. Channels and received positive reviews

2008–present: Second Khaliji album

In May 2008 Haddad performed in The International Mawazin Festival in Morocco; the concert attracted more than 80,000 people, making it one of the most popular concerts of the Festival to date. Only beaten behind Whitney Houston (whose concert attracted 85,000) whereas, the younger yet popular fellow Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram attracted 20,000 and Syrian singer Asala Nasri attracted 10,000. In July 2008, Haddad took part in Kalmeem Festival in Morocco. Her concert attracted again more people with 90,000 people attending, making it one of the most popular concert of the festival history to date.

On 30 October 2008, Haddad released the long awaited^{[citation needed]} album and it was called Men Diana Illa which means From Diana to (a letter written in a booklet in the original copy of the album explaining to whom). The album is Haddad's second 100% Khaliji album, containing 10 songs in the Khaleeji, Saudi and Iraqi dialects and in different music styles from pop and ballads to traditional. Some songs use typical Arabic beats (be it from the Gulf or Iraq), while others use styles that border on Latin, African, and Indian music. Haddad worked with a number of composers, never depending on one lyricist or musician.

Despite poor promotion and distribution^{[says who?]} from the producing company, Platinum Records and Nojoom Music, the album topped the charts in Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan. Most of the songs, like "Rooh ya Seghayer", "Shlon Ahofah", Sheft Itesalak, topped the radio and TV charts. Currently^[when?], Haddad has released one single from the album Sheft Itesalak which was directed by Nahla Al Fahad, and the shooting took place in Beirut, Lebanon. In late 2008, Haddad announced news that she is working on a duet with Alicia Keys, but Keys asked for a half million dollars for the duet which was too much for a song according to Haddad. Instead Diana finished another duet with Lebanese Canadian singer with Karl Wolf.^[8]

In February 2009 she released the long-awaited^{[citation needed]} Lebanese single "Ya Aybo" written by Pierre Hayek, composed By Yasser Jalal, arranged by Rojeah Khoury and directed by Nahla Al Fahad (third video clip with Nahla Al Fahad). The shooting took place in Lebanon. The single was an instant hit in the Arab World, debuting #1 in most charts in the Middle East. In April 2009 Haddad was chosen as the most influential artist in the Middle East (as per polls done by "Shaba 20" Mag). She got the highest votes beating many well known stars like Assala, Najwa Karam, Elissa, Nancy Ajram and others. She also won the title "The Arabia Star" for the fourth time. The ceremony took place in UAE where she was given the two awards.

Haddad made a summer mini tour in 2009, beginning with two concerts in Paris. Then she took part in Al Mydiak Festival in Morocco in honor of the King Crowning Day. During this concert Haddad set a record in the festival's history by attracting more than 150,000 people according to the Festival's management and Nahla Fahad. She travelled to Algeria, where she took a part in Al Kazef and Jamela festivals. Haddad was scheduled to do two concerts in Egypt, but it was cancelled due to large fear of swine flu. Diana Haddad ended the short tour in Lebanon with two concerts; the first one was in Maghdouche her hometown (she sung there for the very first time). Her concert in Maghdouche attracted more than 6,000 people from all over Lebanon. Diana Haddad was happy and proud to sing in her hometown for the first time since the beginning of her career.^[9] Haddad ended her tour of Lebanon when she made a concert for Eid Al Fitr.

Haddad will be working with a number of well-known poets and composers on her upcoming album like Wisam Al Amir, Hisham Polis, Yaser Jalal, Munir Bo Asad, Ahmad Muhy, Muhammad Yeha, and Wael Tawfiq. Diana will surprise her fans with a duet on her new album with Lebanese-Canadian singer Karl Wolf.

Now^[when?] Haddad is traveling between Cairo and Beirut to put the final touches on the songs for her upcoming album. In a recent interview Diana Haddad confirmed that she had not yet moved to Beirut, and she is still living in Dubai at her home with her two Emirati daughters Sophie and Mira. Diana, divorced from her husband in 2009. The news was announced via a joint statement distributed through the office of her ex-husband Suhail Al-abdool affirmed that the couple will continue their friendship and noted that they still hold the love and respect for each other.^[10][11]

After divorcing her husband Suhail al-abdool and breaking away from his music label Nojoom in late 2009. Early 2010, Diana Haddad stated her album will be released after the Summer of 2010, however due to the public's preoccupation of the 2010 World Cup she decided to postpone its release until after Ramadan later in the year.^[12][13] It is believed it will consist of 13 songs in total, six Lebanese, three in Egyptian dialect and four in the Gulf dialect.^[14]

The album's most anticipated song is her duet with the Lebanese Canadian singer Karl Wolf.^{[citation needed]} Noting that, Diana is collaborating with prominent composers and lyricists from Lebanon and Egypt on the album. According to Hitmarker, Haddad was the 7th best selling artist during the last decade in the Arab world; her song "Mani Mani" ranked as the 9th most popular song in the last decade.

Personal life (lifestyle, marriage, personality, family, religion)

Diana Haddad comes from the Southern Lebanese town of Maghdouche, although born in the Mountain town of Bsalim. She is the third born out of 5 siblings, the others being sister Lolita and brothers Danny, Fadi and Samir. She was raised in Kuwait until 1990 when the Gulf War reached there. She married a much older Emirati TV director Suhail Al Abdoul in the early mid 1990s while still in her teens and gave birth to their first child Sophie on 19 July 1996. Diana Haddad has always stated in the face of critics who called it a marriage of convenience that it was out of love she married, not search of wealth. However, she recognized that she was far too young to marry, even though in love she had not fully grown up.^[15] The couple's second daughter Mira was born on 26 November 2007. Diana Haddad is also noted to being quite petite in size and height.^[16] Following the death of her Muslim mother, Diana Haddad converted to Shia Islam in late 1999 and performed Umrah soon afterwards. Haddad rarely speaks about her Conversion or religious beliefs in public, but frequently states she is true a believer of God. Although Diana Haddad once told an Arabic Magazine how her Christian relatives (particularly her father) did not support her decision to convert to Islam and were against it, however eventually respected her decision. She is the only one of her siblings who practices Islam. Diana Haddad lives in Dubai with her two daughters Sophie and Mira fathered from her Ex-husband Suhail Al Abdoul. In February 2010 in an interview with Mazen Diab for "Stars Cafe" Diana Haddad spoke on the topic of her divorce and marriage openly, she went on to state despite not regretting her marriage or her choice. She did however regret being married at such a young age, stating that she would not encourage it and that girls should be at least old enough to be mentally prepared for the path of marriage. When Mazen attempted to ask whether she saw comparisons between her divorce and that of her friend fellow Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoghbi divorce from her husband Elie Deeb Haddad politely declined to be compared to Al-Zoghbi's situation. She explained unlike Al Zoghbi her divorce had not been as publicized and she is on good terms with her ex-husband Suhail Al-Abdoul.^[5][17]

Haddad revealed that she was not against plastic surgery as long as it was not exaggerated and admitted to having Rhinoplasty on her nose. Haddad says in future if she decides to ever under go cosmetic surgery she would not conceal it because she has nothing to hide. In late 2009 while traveling in Lebanon with her driver in Beirut. Diana Haddad and her driver were suddenly attacked by armed militant bandits demanding everyone in the car to get out, it is believed these were robbers with the motive to steal. Amid the dangerous atmosphere Haddad's driver refuse to obey the demands of the criminals and made a daring yet life saving quick exit and escape. The militants attempted to catch up with them but failed. Haddad called the incident traumatic and said she was not able to sleep for days afterwards with fear and anxiety, however she went on to say she is grateful and thankful to be safe and alive, that it shows the true kindness of God.^[18]

Haddad frequently visits her native Lebanon when possible and owns real estate there. Since her conversion to Shia Islam nearly a decade ago, Haddad describes herself as a "private yet observant Muslim" who prays, reads from the Qur'an and fasts during the holy month of Ramadan. She takes part in charity activities whenever possible. Rumours had been circulating that Haddad had embraced Sufism (a mystical interpretation of islam) in midst of her divorce, she however denied these claims.^[19] Then rumours began that she had left Islam and returned to Christianity (which she denied) and stated she did not find offensive since she "respects all religions" but continued to state she is a devout Muslim, dedicated to her faith.^[15] She has stated that to her the hardest time of the year is celebrating eid in absence of her dead mother despite celebrating it with other Muslim relatives the death of her mother is still a painful memory. She revealed that a song on her 2010 album would be dedicated to her mother and the relationship between a mother and daughter.^[19] She was a Main Judge on the Khaleeji version of Star Academy Najm Al Khaleej 1st series from 2009–2010. In March 2010 during an interview with the Arabic Elaph newspaper, Haddad was asked whether she participated in the recent Lebanese elections of 2009 she stated that she had not voted and explaining; "I live in the UAE now, however as for Lebanon, my wish is for it to live in peace, because Lebanon is a lover of life and peace. I hope that God loves every official in Lebanon who puts the country's interests over his personal benefit."^[20] Haddad is currently expecting to release a religious song called A Gift From God in honor of the holy month of Ramadan.^[21]

Activities

Humanitarian Activities

Diana Haddad is well known for her humanitarian work and activism in times of crisis and for social causes. She has done her philanthropy for private and public events. In 1998 she took part in "Helm Al Arabi" (The Arab Dream) along with other famous Arab stars. The event was staged in Beirut. Diana Haddad later went on to release her own humanitarian track for charity in 1999 Aqwad Al Shama'a that focused on the hunger and poverty in Africa and suffering of African children.

Then in 2000 upon the uprising of the Palestinian Intifada, Diana released a track & video dedicated for the Palestinian cause and struggle called Al Haq yaktubo min Dami (The right is written with my blood) She cancelled her scheduled 15 city US tour of that year,in solidarity with the Palestinian people.^[22][23] When asked why she chose to sing for the intifada Haddad responded; This song is the least I can do for the Palestinian people in support for their cause,” said Haddad adding “if we believe that these hard times are not the times to contribute anything; then when is the right time?!” “We cannot watch idly what we see on television and not move,” she explained. The lyrics of the song was written by Saudi Arabian poet Saoud Al Sharbatli, translates as; “The right is written with my blood… There is a name that my mouth repeats, Al Quds, here we are, we have come to save you. Young soldiers have beat the old, thrown stones and made the enemy’s murdering army flee.” The music video was shot by Haddad's ex-husband Suhail al-abdool.^[23]

Haddad joined a campaign in 2003 against the dangers of the use of drugs and smoking in the UAE by releasing a single called Bi Edak El Qarar (The Decision is in Your Hands) written by poet Karim Al Iraqi and composed by Dr. Fatih Allah Ahmad. She was chosen to be part of the campaign by the organizers of the project out of a large list of candidates because of wide her wide popularity around the Arab world at the time. The video was directed by her husband Suhail Al-abdool and aired on television channels across the Arab world.^[24] In 2006 she filmed the Ana Al Insan (I am Human) video clip in protest of Israeli air-strikes in Lebanon, a song she dedicated in calling for a ceasefire. The songs talk about humanity and its nature of selfishness and forgetting where they came from (ashes to ashes). It received positive reviews. It is originally from the album Yammaia (1998).

She also took a part in Jameela Festival in Algeria with Kadem Al Saher. The revenue from the festival went to the victims of the 2006 Lebanon war. She also made charity concerts in UAE, Dubai, Egypt and Sweden, the last one being with Cheb Khaled. The money raised from the single (Ana al Insan) and charity concerts went to the damaged families and victims of the 2006 Lebanon war and other causes. In 2008, she did the same for Gazans and took a part in the "Aghethohom" (literally Help Them) campaign in Dubai. Diana Haddad is also known for her sympathy towards children and from time to time she visits custody homes checking on children, seeing what they need, raising money for them, even throwing banquets for them from time to time. In 2007 she was named as the "Philanthropy star " for her many humanitarian work. In 2007 she took a part in a charity concert held by the American CHF firm in UAE, Jemira along with Assi el Helani, Youri Mrakkadi and Bassem Feghali. The money raised from the concert went to Lebanon's children. She was invited by the Emarati princess Haya Bent Hussain to a charity event and auction for patients in UAE. In 2008 she was honored by Al Rashid Care Center, for her work with handicapped children from the centre. Diana Haddad stated in interview about why she did this for the children, she said: "As a mother I know we must share our lives with these children."^[25]

Declining Dameer Al Arabi

Diana Haddad was offered in 2008 to be part an ensemble of artists to sing Dameer Al Arabi (The Arab Conscience) about the dire situation of the middle east and Arab world from Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Iraq War, sectarian tensions & political instability of Lebanon and many other issues. It was basically a sequel to Al Helm Al Arabi project of 1990s. Many of the original participants agreed to take part again like Asala Nasri. However, many new famous artists joined to the ensemble this time from Yara, Nancy Ajram, Amal Hijazi, Diana Karazon and even Cheb Khaled. However in an interview with Tarattatta -a music variety show, she said Arab "patriotic songs" proved useless and vain. Haddad explained that a long tradition of patriotic themes in Arabic songs did not lead to any change in situations and issues involving the Arab World. Speaking about why she declined participation in Al Dameer Al Arabi (The Arab Conscience). Haddad pointed out that such themes are all worn-out, and has no role to play anymore. “We have to find a different way to help our societies,” she concluded.^[26]

Style

Diana Haddad is known for her elegant style since the early start of her career, wearing designs and conjuring her own unique style. Many believe she is currently the only Lebanese female artist who consolidates with the conservative Arabic traditions combined with feminine elegance and beauty. In 2003 she was chosen as the "Most Elegant Female Arab Singer" at the Al-Doha Festival in Qatar. She has also attended many fashion shows of Walid Attalah, her stylist at the time. She has also worked with Akl Fakeh the only Lebanese stylist who has won the UAE Golden Key for his designs. When she attended the Fashion show of her stylist and personal designer Akl Fakih in late 2009, she was perhaps the most notable guest there. To quote the Khaleej Times on Haddad's appearance there; " Adding that extra touch of glamour was the presence of Arab singer Diana Haddad in the audience."^[27] In 2007 Haddad was awarded the title The Most Stylish Star of 2007 by "Stars Cafe" Magazine (the official source for World Music Award results in The Middle East). She received the highest votes from experts in fashion as per polls by the said magazine beating well known stars like Nawal Al Zoghbi, Haifa Wehbe, Elissa and Nancy Ajram.^[28] In 2008 Haddad was chosen to represent the Middle East in Calvin Klein's first fashion show in the Middle East held in UAE. She wore a classical black dress from his collection. Now Haddad is working to release a clothing line in her name.

Khaliji vs Lebanese Haddad

Despite firstly establishing herself as a Lebanese artist, whose hits in the 1990s followed more on the lines of the traditional Lebanese beats found similar in the music of Lebanese folk singers Najwa Karam and Majida El Roumi, rather than her Khaliji style of today.

In Jarh Al Habib, the Lebanese track Noor Aini, is dedicated to the Lebanese folk singer Wadih el Safi. A track she performed live with him on Lebanese television. However, today, Haddad is known to be perhaps the only Lebanese singer who specialises in singing the Khaleeji dialect. A trend she has followed since the late 1990s with hit singles such as Men Ghebet, Wainhom, a tribute to her late mother, and Al Fousoul al Arba'a being the first ones of note. The 2002 album, Law Yesaloni, where Haddad made history in being the first Lebanese singer to release a 100% Khaliji album. Her success in the Khaliji genre has perhaps what inspired fellow Lebanese singers Yara and friend Nawal Al Zoghbi to record 100% Khaliji albums of their own. She has recorded several songs dedicated the UAE, her naturalized country. Firstly in 2001 she recorded the Khaliji song Mnawer Bladek (You Lighten Your Country) a patriotic song dedicated to the Emirates and Sheikh Zayed the then ruler of the UAE. The video was directed by her ex-husband Suhail Al Abdoul and set in Dubai.

In 2001, in a national concert in the UAE, Haddad teamed up with Arab singer Rashid Al Majed to sing the song live Ard El Emarat, (The :and of the Emirates) even singing the opening verses in English. She collaborated with Al Majed again to sing the duet Asma Bilad another song dedicated to the UAE. In recent years, her popularity and album sales are still increasing as is her fanbase. Many old fans from her native country of Lebanon feel disappointed with her latest Khaliji style, with some going as far as accusing the singer of "selling out" her Lebanese roots and wishing for her to return to her original "Lebanese" style.^[29] However this negative view is mainly held by fans from Lebanon.

However among the Gulf and Saudi community and the Arab World in general, her current adopted Arabian style has seen her gain a wider fan base and respect among Arabs who appreciate her level of modesty and talent. Many consider her strong voice and deep vocals to be one of the current most recognized and distinctive ones out their today along with Sabah, Najwa Karam, Asalah Nasri and Fairuz. She was known in the early days of her career as voice of the mountains.

In an Interview with Diana Haddad and her husband Suhail al-abdoul when they were titled as one of the UAE's 2007 Hot Power Couples, they made the same list the previous year in 2006 which was conducted in "Ahlan!" magazine where she stated her love for Khaliji Gulf traditions and saying "I love Dubai,”. “You can find everything here – it’s a cultural city. I even sang for Dubai’s National Day in 2006. That was a big event for me."^[30]

Her connection to the Gulf Region and influences can be traced back to her childhood where she spent mostly in Kuwait and her marriage to Emirati video director Suhail Al-abdool playing a major role. The irony is that despite Khaliji music being a specific style of Arabic beats, instruments, and dialect, and while it may be possible for a non-Khaliji to perform, it is almost never accepted as genuine material. However, Haddad has managed to break that barrier and stereotype. She is very popular among people in the Gulf Region and has been somewhat "adopted" into Emirati culture and society.^[31] On October 30, she released her 2nd full Khaliji album Men Diana Illa although not living up to phenomenal success of its predecessor Law Yesaloni, the album top charts in the Gulf, Iraq and Jordan and met with moderate success.

Relationship With Others In The Music Industry

Diana Haddad has worked with and met many stars and some of the most powerful people in the Arab Music Industry across the Arab world in her career that spans almost 2 decades since her first days participating in Studio El Fan contest in 1992-3. Nearly always she has received positive feedback from those who worked or met her, respecting her professional attitude and her hard work she puts in making albums. In early years Diana Haddad (before the height of her career) was accused of depending on the influence of her ex-husband Suhail Al-Abdoul, but with the release and success of her first albums mostly positive reviews of her albums declared it was obvious that Diana Haddad had an innate quality that is rare and the rumours stopped, when she retraced from her collaboration with him.

Despite at times making criticism at music styles she does not like, or the videos she feels are obscene, Diana Haddad has never launched personal attacks against other singers even the ones she does not like, except at the Nawal incident being an exception. The owner of Alam Al Phan record company credited Diana Haddad in the 2004 interview with Khaleej Times, after signing her, stating that unlike many singers who are motivated by greed Diana Haddad is different as she spent 2 years "perfecting" on her Awel Marrah album." When asked what made him want to work with her, he answered: "She is a genuine singer" and added that his company will do everything to promote artists like her.^[32]

Nawal Al Zoghbi ;

Diana Haddad and Nawal Al Zoghbi were once centre of a famous feud. In 2000 Diana Haddad's husband Suhail Al-Abdoul accused Nawal Al Zoghbi of paying more attention to her fashion style than her voice and songs. Al Zoghbi took the couple to court in Lebanon on grounds of "emotional distress" she suffered as a result of criticisms made by Abdoul in the Arabic press and his wife Diana Haddad's statements that her voice was "out of tune". However in 2002 the court rejected her case and she lost. The ruling stated that "the statement made by Haddad is not classified as defamation of the claimant, because it does not have any impact on her basic artistic position but is rather linked with her performance. The claim that the plaintiff is a singer or performer is a flexible classification that conforms to personal standards".^[33]

Amazingly in 2004, the two singers overcame their differences, when Diana took the initiative and made a personal phone call to Nawal after hearing that Nawal was experiencing a downfall in her health. Diana revealed that once she heard Nawal was not feeling well, she felt it her duty to call and wish her a fast recovery. Nawal on her part was grateful towards Diana for calling her putting aside all disputes that had previously occurred. Soon after that, they began to form a mutual respect for one each other. Diana Haddad on an interview with television show host Nishan, she expressed her respect for the singer even singing a song dedicated to Nawal live.^[34] She also recorded a live version of Nawal Al Zoghbi's Mandam Aleik on her phone and put on her website in tribute to Nawal. Nawal Al Zoghbi also made a tribute to Diana on a Lebanese television show by singing Diana's debut song from 1996 Saken live.^[35] The two have now become good friends have participated in several photoshoots together and concerts. The recent one being 2008 “Eid Al Fiter” concert that took place in the UAE.

Elissa

One of the Arab world's biggest singers yet surprisingly Diana Haddad has rarely ever spoken about or met with Elissa. Despite the fact the two both competed against each other at the Studio El Fan contest, in the same season 1992–1993. However, Diana came in defence of Elissa work that she and her album Ayami Beek deserved to win the World Music Award in 2008 more than the current winner Nancy Ajram who won for her album Betfakkar fi eih?!. Diana Stated that it was clear which album was of a better quality (Ayami Beek). In 2010 when asked in interview on her opinion about Elissa, she stated she thinks Elissa has a "beautiful voice" that is unique and that she clearly deserved the WMA award. Haddad also went on to praise the quality of songs Elissa chooses.^[16]

Madeline Matar

The Lebanese singer is one of Diana's closest friends who she describes as being "like a sister". Diana Haddad personally invited her to the launching of her single "Ya Aybo" in Beirut early 2009. It was Matar who advised Diana to use director Leila Kanaan for her duet with Cheb Khaled Mass wa Louli video. Which became one of the biggest Arab hits in 2006. Everytime Matar visits Dubai, the singer is welcomed openly to Diana's home and the two are always seen shopping and sightseeing together.

Majid Al Muhandis

Diana Haddad maintains a good friendship with Iraqi singer Majid Al Muhandis and just like Elissa, Diana stated she believed his album deserved to win the 2008 World Music Award more than Nancy Ajram.^[36] Since it was clear that he put more effort and the material was of a better quality. In an interview Majid revealed when he was involved in an accident, Diana personally contacted his manager to check on his recovery.^[37]

Nancy Ajram

Diana Haddad has made it no secret that the type of music Nancy Ajram sings is not her style nor is she a fan of. She also stated in a magazine interview that Nancy's voice itself "doesn't make her gleeful". However, Diana also stated in another interview that despite not being a fan of Nancy Ajram's music, she does respect and admire the singer's accomplishment of rising to fame in such a short amount of time.

Diana criticism of Nancy Ajram's music came into the spotlight once again when Haddad responded into news of the Lebanese singer winning the 2008 World Music Award. Diana stated that there were other artists who deserved it more with better albums than Nancy's like Elissa and Majid Al Muhandis.^[36]

Awards and titles

Year	Awarded by	Category
1996	Arab World	Platinum Award for the sales Saken
1996	AL Hilm Al Arabi ceremony	Best Song of the year Saken
1997	Emirates FM	Best Song of The Year Ahel El Eshig
1997	Arab World	Best Arabic Female Singer
1997	Emirates FM	Best Arabic Female Singer
1997	Lebanon	Award Of Appreciation from Orbit Festival
1997	Al Reyada & Alshabab Mag.	Best Arabic Female Singer
1998	Al Readeya Newspaper	Best Arabic Female Singer
1998	Jordan	Appreciation certificate from Jarash Festival
1998	Arab World	Platinum Award for the sales Ammaneh
1999	Fans from Canada and United States	Best Arab Female Singer
1999	Egypt	The Golden Star
2000	Al Readeya Newspaper	Best Arabic Female Singer
2000	Egypt	Egypt's Most Popular Arab Female Singer
2000	The Egyptian association of film writers and critics	The 2000s Star
2000	Arab World	Best Arabic Female Singer according to polls carried out in US & Canada
2000	Jordan, Shabeeb Festival	The Festival's Star
2001	Lebanon	Best Selling Album of the Year Garh Al Habib
2001	Lebanese Defence Ministry	Trophy of Appreciation
2001	ART music channel	Star of the Year
2001	Zahrat Al Khaleej Mag.	Best Arabic Female Singer
2001	Dubai, UAE	Special Award in Honor for Contributions in Maseret El Hub
2002	Clip's Oscar Festival	Best Cinema Clip of the Year
2002	Zahrat Al Khaleej Mag.	Most Popular Arabic Female Singer
2002	United Arab Emirates	Best Cinema Clip of the Year
2002	Elaph	Best Duet of the Year ( Law Yesaloni )
2002	Hureitay Awards in Egypt	Best Female Artist (more than 4 millions votes)
2003	Arab World	Platinum Award for the sales Law Yesaloni
2003	Doha Festival	The Festival's Star
2004	Al Mashaheer Festival	Best Female Artist
2006	ART music channel	Star of the Year
2006	Virgin Megastores	Best Sales for the album Diana 2006
2006	Ahlan! Magazine	2006 Hot 100 Power Couples
2007	Ajman TV	Star of philanthropy
2007	Hureitay Awards in Egypt	Best Female Artist,
2007	Hureitay Awards in Egypt	Best Video Clip Mas And Louly
2007	CHF firm	Appreciation Award Contributions In Charity Events held by the firm
2007	Stars Cafe Magazine	The Most Stylish Star
2007	Stars Cafe Magazine	Album of the Year Diana 2006
2007	Stars Cafe Magazine	Best Video Clip Aadi
2007	Bouthaina Mag. Ceremony	Best Female Artist
2007	Ahlan! Magazine	2007 Hot 100 Power Couples
2008	Lebanon Journal	Best Lebanese Artist
2008	LebnonEntertaiment	Best Video Clip Azab El Hawa
2008	LebnonEntertaiment	Best Lebanese Artist
2008	Rashid's Care	Honor Award
2009	Dar Al Sada & Shabab 20 Mag.	The Most influential artist in the Arab World
2009	Dar Al Sada & Shabab 20 Mag.	The Arabia Star
2009	Al Madina FM ( Syria )	The Most Requested Song ( Ya Aybo )
2009	Clip's Oscar Festival	Best Cinema Clip of the Year " Ya Aybo "( Award went to Nahla Al Fahad the Director of the Clip )
2009	ART music channel	Video Clip of the year :Azab al Hawa ( Nominaited )
2010	HitMarker.	One Of the Best Selling Artists in The Middle-East ( 7th )
2010	ART music channel	Video Clip of the year :Shift Itesalak( Nominaited )
2010	ART music channel	Single of the year :Ya Aybo( Nominaited )

• She has also won awards as the best selling female and all Arab artist in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2006 in Egypt, Lebanon, the Persian Gulf and North Africa.
• She was named as one of the best selling Arabian singers in the last decade Along with Amro Diab, Nancy Ajram, Elissa and others
• To Date she has sold over 26 Million Copies, and she has more than 20 number one singles in the Arab world (almost all of her singels reached #1 in Arab World)

Discography

Studio albums

• 1996: Saken
• 1997: Ahl Al Esheg
• 1998: Ammanih
• 1998: Yammaia
• 1999: Shater
• 2000: Jarh Al Habib
• 2001: Akhbar Helwa
• 2002: Law Yesaloni
• 2004: Awel Marrah
• 2006: Diana 2006
• 2008: Men Diana Illa

Live Albums

• 1996: Anida

Compilation albums

• 2002: Best of Diana Haddad

Singles

Duets

Year	Title	Album	Video Clip Director	Language/Dialect
1992	Tayr Al Yammameh	Saken	Unfilmed	Lebanese Arabic
1996	Saken (Single) (Living In...)	Saken	Suhail Al-abdool	Levant Bedouin Arabic
1996	Al-Sahra (The Magic)	Saken	Suhail Al-abdool	Lebanese Arabic
1996	Lagetek (When I met you...)	Saken	Suhail Al-abdool	Jabali Lebanese Arabic
1996	Anida	Anida	( unfilmed )	Lebanese Arabic
1997	Ahl Al Esheg (Song) (People of Passion)	Ahl Al Esheg	Suhail Al-abdool	Levantine Bedawi Arabic
1997	Bizaal Minak (I get upset with you)	Ahl Al Esheg	Suhail Al-abdool	Lebanese Arabic
1997	Ammanih (Song) (Wishes)	Ammanih	Suhail Al-abdool	Lahja Al Beedha Arabic
1998	Ya Benti (Oh My Daughter)	Yammaia	Suhail Al-abdool	Lebanese Arabic
1998	Yammaia (Song) (Oh My Mother)	Yammaia	Suhail Al-abdool	Saeedi Egyptian Arabic
1998	Emshi Wara kidbohom	Yammaia	Suhail Al-abdool	Egyptian Arabic
1999	Shater (Clever)	Shater	Suhail Al-abdool	Lahja Al Beedha Arabic
1999	Wainhom	Shater	Suhail Al-abdool	Khaleeji Arabic
1999	Aqwad Al Shamaa	single	Suhail Al-abdool	Classic Arabic
1999	AL fosol al arba'a (Four Seasons)	Shater	Suhail Al-abdool	Khaleeji Arabic
1999	Mish B'edi (Not In My Country)	Single	(unfilmed)	Lebanese Arabic
2000	Mani Mani (Its Mine, Its Mine)	Jarh AL Habib	Suhail al-abdool	Bedouin Arabic
2000	Al Haq Yaktubo Min Dami (The Right Is Written With My Blood)	single	Suhail Al-abdool	Classic Arabic
2001	Mnawer Bladik (You Lighten Your Country)	single'	Suhail Al-abdool	Khaleeji Arabic
2001	Adlla Aliek	Jarh AL Habib	Suhail Al-abdool	Khaleeji Arabic
2001	Elly fe bally	Akhbar Helwa	Suhail Al-abdool	Egyptian Arabic
2002	Law Yesaloni (If They Told Me About You...)	Law Yesaloni	Suhail Al-abdool	Emirati (Khaleeji) Arabic
2003	Beedak El Qarar	single	Suhail Al-abdool	Classic Arabic
2004	Waily (Oh My)	Awel Marrah	Suhail Al-abdool	Lahja Al Beedha Arabic
2004	Saheby (My Friend)	Awel Marrah	Suhail Al-abdool	Khaleeji Arabic
2004	Awel Marrah (First Time)	Awel Marrah	Suhail Al-abdool	Egyptian Arabic
2005	Law ma dakhalt ebrasi	Awel Marrah	Sophie Boutros	Lebanese Arabic
2005	Hassafah	Diana 2006	Saed Mousa ( live Clip )	Khaleeji Arabic
2006	Mas w Louli (Diamonds and Pearls)	Diana 2006	Leila Kanaan	Algerian and Lebanese Arabic
2006	Badr Al Bdour	single	Saed Mousa ( live Clip )	Khaleeji Arabic
2006	Ana Al Ensan (I am Human)	Yammaia	Nahla Al Fahad	Classic Arabic
2006	Maghdouche	Jarh AL Habib	Nahla Al Fahad	Lebanese Arabic
2006	Zay El Sokar (Just Like Sugar)	Diana 2006	Yaser Sami	Egyptian Arabic
2007	Aadi (Normal)	Diana 2006	Leila Kanaan	Egyptian Arabic
2007	Ma Nysetak	single	Saed Mousa ( live Clip )	Khaleeji Arabic
2008	Azab El Hawa (The Torture Of Love)	Diana 2006	Nahla Al Fahad	Syrian Arabic
2008	Hobi Emirate (My Love, The Emirates)	single		Khaleeji Arabic
2008	Sheft Itessalek (I Saw Your Phonecall)	Men Diana Illa	Nahla Al Fahad	KhaleejiArabic
2009	Ya Aybo (Oh, Shame on Him!)	Upcoming Album 2011	Nahla Al Fahad	Lebanese Arabic
2009	Ya Zalan (Oh You, The One Who is Mad)	Men Diana Illa	Nahla Al Fahad	Khaleeji Arabic
2010	Ya Hadieh Min Rabna	TBA	Mohammad Jum’ah	Egyptian Arabic
2010	Magnona	TBA	Walid Nassif	Khaleeji Arabic
2011	Gaalat Diana	TBA	Fadi Haddad	Khaleeji Arabic
Year	Collaborated With	Title	Album	Video Clip Director	Language/Dialect
1997	Various Artists	Helm Al Arabi	N/A		Arabic
1998	Wael Kfoury	Waseyet Hob	N/A	Special concert performance only	Lebanese Arabic
2000	Mohammed El-Azabi	Jarh Al Habib	Jarh Al Habib	Unfilmed	Egyptian Arabic
2001	Rashid Al-Majed	Ard Al Emirates/Emirates Land of Peace	N/A	Televised Concert	Khaliji Arabic
2001	Jad Nakhle	Wily Mennak	N/A	Televised Studio Live performance	Bedouin Arabic
2001	Rashid Al-Majed	Asma Bilad	N/A	unreleased	Khaliji Arabic
2002	Aitha Al Menhali	Law Yesaloni	Law Yesaloni	Suhail Al-abdool	Khaliji Arabic]
2006	Cheb Khaled	Mas w Louli	Diana 2006	Leila Kanaan	Lebanese & Algerian Arabic
2010	Karl Wolf	Enta Maai Kol Hayati	TBA	Fadi Haddad	English & Lebanese Arabic

Special Recordings/Live Tracks

• Lematha Al Moshtaka
• Helm Al Arabi
• Ya Rayheen Ommi (1997)
• Jabalak Kanz (live in concert ) (1998)
• Mush Beedi (1999)
• Ya Carthage (2000)
• Naam Zayed (2001)
• Ard El Emarat (2001)
• Wily Mennak (2001)
• Asma Bilad
• Roof Roohi (2002)
• El Lilah Ghair (2002)
• Noor Aini (2002)
• Ela Falastin... (2002) (Live)
• Saat Kheir (2003)
• Ainawi (2003)
• Yal Samra (2003)
• Lgenawi (2003)
• Ya Keef Al Rooh (2003)
• Ya Fakr
• Ya Baad Omri
• Enta Al Shams (2001) (Song most famously by Najwa Karam) (Unreleased Studio Recording)
• Al EIn Molayetin (2005) (Live in concert in Algeria)
• Lanat Emaraa (Theme Song for a Drama in Bahrain) (2008)
• Yal Samra (2003

References

1. ^ Diana Haddad Biography
2. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/entertainment/220626
3. ^ http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/974/aljareema2la1.jpg
4. ^ http://www.alrai.com/pages.php?news_id=317308
5. ^ ^{a b} http://www.moheet.com/show_news.aspx?nid=342821&pg=1
6. ^ http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/1185/aljareema3wp9.jpg
7. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/entertainment/115349/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad
8. ^ http://www.gn4me.com/gn4me/details.jsp?artId=3746417&catId=54172&sec=celebrities
9. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/main/253432/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad
10. ^ http://www.staracademy2009.com/2009/08/06/diana-haddads-divorce-is-confirmed/
11. ^ http://www.panet.co.il/online/articles/7/9/S-257578,7,9.html
12. ^ http://rotanastyle.com/rotana/news.php?actionDo=show&nid=70
13. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/main/317799/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad
14. ^ http://www.filfan.com/News.asp?newsid=14948
15. ^ ^{a b} http://www.mbc.net/portal/site/mbc/menuitem.ff2c047b71869fec9318c4cd480210a0/?vgnextoid=89dde42a5ba7a210VgnVCM1000008420010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=66597fb9d32ee010VgnVCM100000f1010a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=mbcArticle
16. ^ ^{a b} http://www.sotaliraq.com/entertainment.php?id=10339
17. ^ http://www.alarab.com.qa/details.php?docId=117165&issueNo=780&secId=19
18. ^ http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=25&issueno=11280&article=540238&feature=1
19. ^ ^{a b} http://www.filfan.com/News.asp?newsid=15280
20. ^ http://www.elaph.com/Web/NewsPapers/2010/3/544999.html
21. ^ http://www1.albawaba.com/en/latest-news/diana-haddad-presents-fans-new-song
22. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/main/115349/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad
23. ^ ^{a b} http://www.albawaba.com/en/main/111522/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad
24. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/main/161855/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad%20drugs
25. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/237640/
26. ^ http://www.mazika.com/en/news/haddad-patriotic-songs-useless.aspx
27. ^ http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=/data/citytimes/2009/November/citytimes_November147.xml&section=citytimes&col=
28. ^ http://www.waleg.com/archives/009901.html
29. ^ [1]
30. ^ http://www.ahlanlive.com/hot100/hot100cat.php?catID=11&nomID=283
31. ^ http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=citytimes&xfile=data/citytimes/2008/November/citytimes_November210.xml
32. ^ [2]
33. ^ http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/144588/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad
34. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueZwT9U1FI0&feature=related
35. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HevLUDxC_3E
36. ^ ^{a b} http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/240526/&searchWords=Diana%20Haddad%20Nancy%20Ajram
37. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Op1T8ffzo8

External links

• Official Website
• Diana Haddad Online
• Diana Journal
• Diana Haddad Official Fan Club
• Diana Haddad Questions and answers -Askmaher Network

Persondata
Name	Haddad, Diana
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1 October 1976
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death