Star Academy Lebanon
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The 8 Finalists of Star Academy 1 |
Star Academy Lebanon (also known as Star Academy LBC) is a reality TV show started in
2003 that features a group of 16 young male and female candidates from all over the
Arab world. It is the Arabic adaptation of the
French television show
Star Academy produced by
Netherlands company
Endemol, based in the
Spanish format called
Operación Triunfo.
Based in
Beirut,
Lebanon, the show is aired for 4 months on the Lebanese TV station
LBCI. Hosted by
Hilda Khalife. The show's concept consists of an academy and candidates/students where it is also talent competition to introduce a new artist among the 16 candidates. Talents are not restricted to singing only, but for acting and dancing as well.
It is divided into two simultaneous formats: each day a program presents moments of the everyday life and training of the candidates (what they are called), and a prime show every Friday evening. In addition an affiliate TV station films them 24/24.
The concept of the show is training the students in several disciplines:
singing,
acting,
vocalizing,
theatre expression, musical culture and
gymnastics.Then, each week (usually on Tuesdays) the three weakest students are nominated. The nomination is done by the teaching staff after the candidates undergo an evaluation test the day before (Monday). Around the end of the week (Friday), a special live show called
Prime is broadcasted. During the prime show, the candidates perform and sing either by themselves or with guest artists. The 3 nominated candidates' initial voting is through the public. Ever since the nominations, people vote through phonecalls and text messages. The one with the highest percentage of votes returns back. The left two candidates are to be voted by their fellow candidates and one of them returns. The remaining candidate leaves the academy. When the candidates' overall number reduces, the nomination comes down to two students. By this, it's completely up to the public to vote who is in and who gets out.
The show proved to be immensely popular, once attracting nearly 80% of the Lebanese adolescent population, and confirmed LBC's status as one of the best TV station in the Arab world.
The show received intense criticism when it started off, which led some people to falsely believe that it would not succeed. A
Bahraini MP,
Mohammed Khalid, denounced the participants as 'scum'[
1] and objected to it being filmed in the Gulf Kingdom: 'Bahrain is a country, which respects Islamic values and it should not be a stage for such disrespectful and shameful acts' he said.This debate also caused the indefinite postponing of the Middle Eastern edition of
Big Brother, otherwise known as
Big Brother - Al Raiss.
Star Academy
The first season of the show made its debut on early December,
2003. The winner was the Egyptian candidate, Mohammad Attia. The eight finalists were Mohammad Attia (
Egypt), Bashar Al Shatti (
Kuwait), Sophia El Mareekh (
Morroco), Bahaa' El Kafy (
Tunisia), Ahmed El Sherif (
Tunisia), Myriam Attallah (
Syria), Mohammad Khalawi (
Saudi Arabia) and Cynthia Karam (
Lebanon). They went on a
Pan Arab. They performed concerts in
Dubai,
Kuwait,
Cairo &
Alexandria,
Amman,
Damascus and many more. The first season ended on the 4th of April.
Star Academy 2
The second version featuring same settings as the previous one, and started on 31st December 2004. The show ended on the 15th April, The final round featured Hisham (
Saudi Arabia) and Amani (
Tunisia), Hisham won by a close 51.85% to be crowned as the star of Star Academy 2, and taking the $50,000 and the 2005
Ford Mustang GT.
The second season witnessed few changes. Among them was the return of the Iraqi candidate Bashar Qaisy, Who left the academy earlier after nomination). Al Qaisy stayed over in the academy for 2 weeks, but with no activity (Pariticpation in Prime shows and Classes)
The show has been stalled for one week when former Lebanese prime minister
Rafik Hariri was assassinated on the 14th February; also for three successive times, the weekly prime was interrupted by explosions in
Lebanon, on the 26th March, the 1st of April and on the 8th.
Star Academy 3
The third version of Star Academy started off in the beginning on year
2006, and still currently continues until today. Dramatic changes has been noticed. A new set of teachers, new classes (like Arabic Poetry) were introduced. Also, the usual number of 16 Candidates (8 Females, 8 Males) has changed to become a total of 10 Males and 9 Females, 19 Candidates.
As the Final Prime concluded, Joseph Attieh from
Lebanon had won the third season of Star Academy. Joseph claimed around 55% of all the votes. Joseph is the first Lebanese candidate to win in Star Academy Lebanon since it began. Due to this fact, Lebanon had gracefully cheered because they believed they gained a new "hero" in the darkest of their days.
Joseph walked away with his new title, as well as prizes like $50,000 and a
Toyota Yaris.
Nawal Al Zoghbi appeared twice singing her single, Rohy Ya Rohy, and Shou Akhbarak.
Star Academy 4
Auditions for the 4th season of Star Academy are currently running throughout the Arab countries. Surprisingly early, as the 8 Finalists from the 3rd season are still on Pan-Arab tour. The age range this time is between 16 and 25 years old.The fourth season is expected to begin later this year (2006), or in early 2007.
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Official Star Academy Lebanon website
