Lebanese-Canadian pop singer Massari is set to perform at the American Lebanese Cultural Festival this weekend in a Los Angeles suburb.
The annual festival is hosted by Our Lady of Mount Lebanon Church in Arcadia, California. The festival is in its 16th year.
Massari is best known for combining Arabic beats with western culture. He has won many awards, including Best International Arabian Artist and Dance Artist of the Year.
He has worked with some big names around the world, including French Montana, Mohammed Assaf and former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.
Lebanese restaurant Aladdin’s Eatery was ranked among the top four gluten-free dining options in Raleigh by WTVD-TV, an ABC station in North Carolina.
Aladdin’s Eatery is a restaurant chain that serves Lebanese-American dishes with an atmosphere that “treats our guests with Lebanese hospitality by adhering to high standards for quality service,” according to their website.
The ABC station points out the restaurant has over 40 vegetarian dishes, 30 vegan dishes, 40 gluten-free dishes and 40 antibiotic-free meat and chicken dishes to choose from.
Aladdin’s Eatery was named one of the top four best dining locations for gluten-free food options in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Aladdin’s Eatery)
The list suggests that gluten-free eaters should try “Jasmine’s Favorite,” which includes kidney beans, vegetables and gluten-free rice topped with the meat of your choice.
Cardi B turned heads at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards while wearing gowns by not one, but two Lebanese designers.
It was her first red carpet appearance since giving birth to her daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus who was born on July 10, according to Rolling Stone.
The New York native and rapper marked the occasion by stepping out onto the red carpet in a fitted velvet dress made by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran.
Cardi B wore a fuschia dress by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran. (MTV Press)
Jebran is a haute couture designer who was born in Lebanon and has gained global renown. According to the designer’s website, his work has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, and he has gone on to style Mariah Carey, Janelle Monae, Kendall Jenner and more.
Later in the evening, Cardi B accepted the Best New Artist award in a gorgeous strapless red dress artfully cut to flare out in rippling waves by Beirut-based label Azzi and Osta.
Cardi B wore a red strapless dress by Lebanese designer Azzi and Osta. (MTV Press)
The Azzi and Osta fashion house was established by designers George Azzi and Assaad Osta, both honed their fashion skills by enrolling in the international fashion education group Esmod Beyrouth in 2004 and went on to become assistant designers at the fashion house of legendary Lebanese fashion behemoth Elie Saab, according to their website.
Cardi B is best known for her recent hit “I Like It” and U.S. Billboard Hot 100 topper “Bodak Yellow.”
Examiner StaffComments Off on Rapper Cardi B wears two dresses by Lebanese designers to VMA’s 5828
Lebanese American singer Bazzi — a rising star in the Billboard charts — performed Monday at the MTV Video Music Awards during a pre-show event.
Andrew Bazzi, 20, known professionally as ‘Bazzi,’ is best known for his song “Mine,” which peaked at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Bazzi also gained popularity when his hit song appeared as part of a Snapchat lens filter.
Bazzi arrives on the red carpet during the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (MTV Press)
The rising artist was born in Dearborn, Michigan, home to one of the largest populations of Arab Americans outside of the Middle East.
During an April interview with USA Today, Bazzi spoke out against President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration.
“I’m very heavy into that culture,” he told USA Today in April. “It’s so incorrect what’s going on (politically), and I think it’s good for Lebanese-Americans to have someone they can look at and let them know that someone’s supporting them.”
Bazzi performs ‘Mine’ at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (MTV Press)
Bazzi began his singing career in 2012 when he began posting covers of songs on his YouTube channel. In November 2014, he moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue music full time.
He released his debut studio album Cosmic in 2018.
WATCH: Bazzi Performs ‘Mine’ at MTV Video Music Awards Pre-Show:
Examiner StaffComments Off on Lebanese-American singer Bazzi performs at MTV Video Music Awards 4589
A Lebanese teen was awarded the Amal Clooney Scholarship, and will participate in a two-year international baccalaureate program in Armenia, Reuters reported.
Kamar Omary, 16, is the fourth Lebanese teen to receive the prestigious scholarship set up by Lebanese-British human rights attorney Amal Clooney.
The scholarship aims to promote cross-cultural education and social and philanthropic projects, according to a news release.
Omary will study at UWC Dilijan College in Armenia. (UWC Dilijan)
“This scholarship (gives) young women from Lebanon the opportunity of a lifetime,” Amal Clooney said. “Cross-cultural learning and studying abroad can be transformative.”
Omary will head to the UWC Dilijan College in Dilijan, Armenia for the two-year program. She told Reuters she wants to join in a nationwide effort to combat child marriage and marital rape in Lebanon.
“We need a minimum age for marriage and marital rape should be criminalized,” Omary told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “Sexism and abuse of women and children is still widespread. Women are stigmatized. They are generally seen as weaker than men and we need change.”
Omary also wants to follow in Clooney’s footsteps and help people in need, she added.
“Every single person deserves education, health and security, and most refugees don’t get that here. That is very unfair,” Omary said. “I want to connect with people and listen to them – that is how you trigger change and that is what Amal does. She listens to the people and defends them.”
The scholarship winner is chosen annually based on academic performance and interest in the promotion of human rights and international issues.
Examiner StaffComments Off on Lebanese teen wins Amal Clooney Scholarship to study abroad in Armenia 2588
Trendy avocado bars appear to be popping up around the world — and the concepts are Instagram gold!
The bars feature an all-avocado menu with avocado toasts, salads, bowls and beverages, among others.
L’AVO has not yet announced an opening date. (Instagram/L’AVO)
L’AVO founders said the concept started as an idea between two childhood friends.
“L’AVO gives you all the avocado satisfactions you seek by offering everything ranging from toasts and salad bowls, to smoothies and desserts,” an Instagram post said. “Something to satisfy all your taste buds whether it’s the sweet or sour ones.”
Examiner StaffComments Off on Avocado bar set to open in Beirut, will be first in Lebanon 3067
The Lebanese Mikati family own one of the most prestigious mega-yachts in the world, according to Forbes Magazine.
Chopi Chopi is a 262-foot yacht currently docked in southeastern France.
The beauty is valued at over $100 million, and features more than 20 cabins and luxurious space for 12 overnight guests and 33 crew members.
Chopi Chopi was built in Ancona, a city and a seaport in the Marche region in central Italy. (CRN Yachts)
According to its builder CRN Yachts, Chopi Chopi is owned by former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his brother Taha Mikati, who together own the Beirut-based holding company M1 Group.
VIDEO: Inside Chopi Chopi, one of the largest yachts ever built in Europe:
The brothers have a net worth of nearly $2.5 billion, and have investments in South African telecom firm MTN, fashion retailer Pepe Jeans and prime real estate in New York, London and Monaco, according to Forbes.
The mega-yacht is the largest built by CRN Yachts in its over 50-year history. (CRN Yachts)
The brothers also founded Investcom in 1982, and sold satellite phones at the height of Lebanon’s civil war.
Chopi Chopi features an entire deck for the owner. (CRN Yachts)
Chopi Chopi is the largest mega-yacht ever built by the Italian-owned CRN Yachts company.
See virtual map of Chopi Chopi docked at Port Hercules:
Examiner StaffComments Off on See incredible photos inside the Mikati family mega-yacht 29133
The year 2018 has been phenomenal for Lebanese comedian Esther Manito. She had the opportunity to perform at the United Arab Emirates’ largest theatre, the Dubai Opera, and was a contributor to the book “Donʹt Panic, Iʹm Islamic.”
The UK-based comedian spoke exclusively with Lebanese Examiner about her career and the challenges she faced to achieve her success.
How did you get started in comedy, and how did you grow so fast?
I started doing comedy when my son was 7-months-old. I did a comedy course, I had no idea I would continue to do stand up. The last two years has been a whirlwind. I have worked incredibly hard to take as many opportunities as possible.
What are some obstacles you think you have faced in the industry, both personally and professionally?
Well, doing stand-up comedy when you are a mother to two very small children is physically demanding. However, I feel I am more fulfilled which has made me a better mom. In terms of comedy you will always find you are battling stereotypes as female comic, but especially as a female comic that talks about her Arab roots.
Esther Manito is a Lebanese-British comedian. (Photo provided/Esther Manito)
As you travel all across the world, what do you think of the Lebanese diaspora?
There are Lebanese wherever you go! We are EVERYWHERE! We are Lebanon. I have Lebanese women approach me after most gigs. They are so supportive and love seeing a woman talk about being Lebanese.
What are some future projects you are working on that your fans should look forward to?
I am writing a book, its an observational look at how comedy can be used to challenge sociological expectations of motherhood.
What would you like to say to the younger generation who are thinking of pursuing a career in entertainment?
Girls! Get out there and take pride in your inner funny. Nothing is more wonderful than realizing you can own a stage.
The Lebanese-run social media app Vero recently surged in popularity, and became the most downloaded social app in 18 countries, including in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain and France, according to Forbes.
Launched in 2015, Vero is an ad-free social app that connects users to their friends with pictures, links and videos. The content sharing is intuitive, and is separated by Close Friend, Friend, Acquaintance and Follower.
The founders describe the app as a “social network for anyone who loves anything enough to share it – and wants control over who they share it with. Just like we do in real life.”
Instead of advertisers, Vero runs on an annual subscription fee model and promised to keep the app free to its first million users.
Ayman Hariri, son of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, is the CEO and co-founder of the app. He said he aims to grab the market share of some of his largest competitors, including Facebook and Twitter.
Lebanese American actress and model Jamie Gray Hyder is best known for her role as Lt. Nora Salter — a Lebanese character — in the video game Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.
In an interview with Lebanese Examiner, Gray Hyder talked about her Lebanese upbringing, and her successful career in television, movies and video games.
Jamie Gray Hyder plays a Lebanese character in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. (Facebook/Jamie Gray Hyder)
How did you get started in movies, TV and voice acting?
I have been performing on stage since I was very young, and was a classically trained singer for many years. After getting my degree in Theatre and Film Studies, I moved to Los Angeles and began working in film, TV, and video games.
How has the Lebanese culture and upbringing influenced your success?
My Lebanese father has always instilled a good work ethic in me. He has also promoted the idea of balance, meaning work some, play some, which I think has contributed greatly. The Lebanese culture appreciates good food and drinks, which has always fueled my love of food. I was the only 9 year old I knew eating kibbeh nayeh!
Did either of these have any influence in accepting your role in Call of Duty?
When given the opportunity to represent my Lebanese roots as Lt Salter, I was so excited! There aren’t many roles written for Middle Eastern actresses, so I jumped at the chance. I think it’s important to represent well-rounded characters with diverse life experience, and to move away from archetypes and caricatures.
What are some current or future projects that your fans can look forward to?
I am currently doing the voice for the character Zethrid, in the Dreamworks animated series Voltron (you can find it on Netflix!). Voicing animated characters is one of my favorite types of work to do! You get the chance to play characters very different from yourself, which is always fun.
What are some of your hobbies/interests outside of the entertainment industry?
I love to eat and drink and cook anything and everything I can get my hands on. I grew up eating my sittoo’s hummus, tabouleh, baklava, rice, you name it. I have always had a healthy appetite. That goes hand in hand with my love of travel. I went to Japan earlier this year, and I was in food paradise! A food tour of Lebanon is next on my list.
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