Nancy Ajram
Mad About Nancy
By Daliah Galal
June 2006

Who would have guessed it? The young girl, who barely four years ago burst onto our screens in the now legendary Akhasmek Ah video, would become “one of the most influential personalities in the Arab world.” The Newsweek accolade was finally able to put paid to those critics who once dismissed her as just another one hit wonder vying for the sexy vote. Not only has she lasted, Nancy Ajram has redefined the Arab pop landscape. She’s proven herself to be a versatile, innovative and ultimately lovable artist, with her finger on a rapidly changing pulse. Fun and flirty Ajram’s cultivated sensuality is tamed by an irresistible innocence - a heady combination that has the Arab world at its knees. Women love her because she’s the girl next door; men can’t get enough of her because she’s the one your mum warned you about. Fresh from the release of her fifth  blockbuster album Yatabtab...Wa Dalla, Enigma gets girly with the fabulous Nancy Ajram.

Enigma first interviewed you just after the release of Akhasmak Ah. Do you think you've changed as a person since then, and if so how?
On a professional level, I have definitely changed. Having achieved success, I now feel responsible for maintaining it. That’s a pressure that wasn’t there before. But on a personal level, I don’t feel I’ve changed at all. And while my circumstances may have changed, I’m the same person I always was.

Speaking of your circumstances changing over the last few years, the Arab media has seemingly become obsessed with you! How do you cope with the constant attention?
      It can be tiring, but it does not bother me. I chose this life, and I knew what I was getting into, and to be honest, I’m still not completely satisfied with the level of fame I’ve achieved! I think I need the attention!

You entered the music industry at a very young age, and in the past, you’ve said you feel like you might have missed out on your childhood. With the benefit of hindsight, what would you have done differently?
I don’t regret any of it. Ever since I was little, I loved singing and I dreamt of being a famous artist. This was my choice. And as for my childhood, who said I’m not living it now!? 

Well in that case, I guess there are no plans to settle down any time soon!
I don’t see why getting married has to mean settling down.

What if the right guy came along, but he asked you to give it all up?
Why can’t I do both? Well, it depends on the guy. If he was the “the one” then I might think about it. Who knows?

Ok then, so how would you describe the guy of your dreams - the guy you’d give it all up for?
I think chemistry has a lot to do with it. You’re simply attracted to someone or you’re not -his  smile, his walk, his talk, and things like that. I believe everyone woman has her own private world, and it’s rare that a man can understand that world, let alone make himself a part of it. A man can have all the most amazing qualities, but unless he ‘gets you’ he won’t have the slightest impact.  And as for looks, they actually don’t matter all that much to me. His behaviour is the most important thing - his actions are what reveal his inner beauty.

Well, you’ve certainly got all the men in the Arab world eating out of your hands! What’s your secret?
It’s not a secret! I think of it more as a blessing from God. It’s not really something that you can ‘do’ or fake. I believe when God loves someone, he blesses them with people’s love. I try to be as natural as possible and I’ve never deceived anyone.  I am direct and honest with people and I think they can feel that. I think being true to yourself is the key to winning people’s hearts.

Ok, enough of the boy-talk! Let’s get back to the music for a moment. You once said you had little desire to become an international star, and all that mattered was success in the Middle East. Do you still feel that way, especially when the likes of Elissa and Amr Diab are getting international recognition and awards?
I still feel the same way, and my main focus will always be the Arab world. But I am also now known on an international level. Even though I sing in Arabic, people love the music. I get e-mails from fans all around the world, not just the Middle East.

And what’s been your proudest professional moment so far?
There’s no one moment or one achievement that stands out, I’m proud of my whole career.

Every artist has a message behind their music. What’s yours?
To make people happy.
And what music are you listening to right now?
I love most of the music that’s out right now, but if I had to choose my song of the moment it would have to be Elli Kan (“Whatever was before”)

You were one of the first Arab women to cause so much controversy over her image. These days, every young starlet is doing the "sexy" thing. How do you feel about the competition?
It doesn’t affect me at all. I always say if it weren’t for black there wouldn’t have been white. Diversity and choice has to exist. Either way, I only focus on my own work.

Well, we can’t talk about competition and not mention the whole Elissa business. Both of your last albums were launched at exactly the same time. Did that affect your sales in anyway?
It was hardly the first time two singers have released their work at the same time. It’s perfectly normal. There are hundreds of artists, and if every performer were to try and release their album on a different day of the year, nothing would ever get released!  Each artist has their own fans, and release dates don’t affect their loyalty.

Speaking of loyalty, you’ve shown a tremendous amount towards music video director Nadine Labaki. In fact, your image has pretty much become synonymous with way she conceptualises your songs. Isn’t there a risk your videos will stop looking fresh?
Even though I know she’ll come up with something fresh and new, I’ve never said I won’t work with other directors.

Labaki’s videos have always demanded you play a part and it’s something you’ve proven yourself adept at. So do your harbour any movie-making ambitions?
I love acting and I’d love to be in a movie, but I just don’t have the time. I feel like I’m living on aeroplanes at the moment!

Do you have any other talents we don’t yet know about?
One thing people don’t know about me it that I’m a good cook!

So apart from cooking, what else do you do in your spare time?
I don’t have any spare time! But I love to travel, I love pampering myself and I’m quite sporty. And what girl doesn’t love to shop?!

Of course! So where are your favourite shopping destinations?
Paris, Milan and Lebanon.

And your favourite designer?
Definitely Zohier Murad.

Ok Nancy, if you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I worry far too much. Not just about my work, but about anything and everything. If someone says they’ll call me at a certain time and they’re just a few minutes late, I’ll start panicking, completely convinced something has happened to them. I’ll start to think they’re lying somewhere in a coma!

What scares you?
The unknown; tomorrow –the future.

And what makes you happy?
My faith makes me feel secure and my success makes me happy. When I feel like people are pleased with me and for me that makes me very happy. 

You were recently voted by Newsweek as one of the most influential personalities in the Arab world? If you could use that influence to really change one thing about the Middle East, what would it be?
I would advise all the young people in the Arab world to turn away from anything destructive, such as drugs and alcohol.

And which influential or high-profile Arab do you most admire?
I admire any human being who is honest. I believe that when someone is honest, they can be and do anything they want.