Title: Layal Abboud Content: Layal Mounir Abboud (:; born on May 15, 1982) is a Lebanese pop-folk singer, sound-lyric poet, concert dancer, fit model, Muslim humanitarian and businesswoman. She was born to a musical family in the Southern Lebanese Tyrian village of Kniseh. Abboud is a former ISF officer and studied English literature at Lebanese University. Also, she stutied translation at Beirut Arab University and musical expression at the American University of Science and Technology. She appeared for the first time in the Studio El-Fan series debuts as a South Lebanese competitor from 2001 to 2002. Abboud's musical career got popular with the release of her first album Fi Shouq (: on longing) published in late 2007. She sings in different Arabic dialects. Abboud is a singer member in the Syndicate of Professional Artists in Lebanon. == Personal history == === Early life and education === Layal Abboud was born into a large Shia Muslim family on May 15, 1982 in the southern village of Kanisah in Lebanon's Tyre District. Abboud's father and mother, named Mounir and Maryam, had three brothers and six sisters between them. As a child, Abboud started singing and dancing and was a fan of Egyptian pop singer Amr Diab. Starting at age 14, she worked as a private tutor. Abboud studied English literature at the Lebanese University and translation in Beirut Arab University. She graduated from university with a master's degree. She went on to study music at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of music for two years. Abboud served as an officer for the Lebanese Police Force, where she worked security for two years in the Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport's Inspection Department. === Musical career === Abboud went on to study music under Richard Najm. In 2006 She became a multi-instrumentalist skilled in the oud, organ and guitar. Abboud appeared on TV for the first time on the hit show "Studio El- Fan" as a 2001–02 competitor. Her first album, Fi Shouq (: On Longing) was released in late 2007. In an interview with Egyptian media about her good favor to music, Abboud has stated, "Music is my life!" Her inspirations (or creativity) include Ammar El Sherei, Baligh Hamdi and Sabah whom Abboud called the "ideal of my art career." In July 2014, Abboud also said that she is "very much drawn to French musicians, possibly because I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic." === Business and fashion === In 2014, Abboud called Akel Fakih "the mastermind" behind the way she dresses in her professional, social, and daily life. In 2015, Akel Fakih said he works with Layal Abboud "in a very characteristic and upmarket way," going on to say that, "there is a chemistry that brings me together in fashion. She trusts my opinion and tastes, and this is one of the reasons why Layal chose me in her concerts." Abboud has explained details on her fashion team, saying, "Elie Samaan does my hair and makeup; my stylist is Serene Assaad, and my photographer is Hussein Salman." Abboud is founder of Amman-based wedding planning company Loulou Secret. She also runs Layal Productions for her music. === Media issues === Sometimes she is called a seduction (or charming) artist and femme fatale by critics like Al Akhbar. Abboud appeared on the program Bala Teshfir on the Al Jadeed network in 2015, and stated, "Being bold is not seduction". She believes there is a bias against her and said, "I am a normal artist and contemporary with fashion." In 2016 counterfeit images were published attributed to Abboud's likeness. She appointed attorney Haitham Tarshishi to file a lawsuit against "all those involved in the forgery of a picture attributed to her through social media sites, accompanied by words beyond the limits of fitness." In August 2016, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation reported that a suspect had been arrested. In April 2017 as a guest on the satirical program La-hon Wa-bas hosted by Hicham Haddad, Abboud condemned an issue of Nadine Magazine for its depiction of her chest and face shape with the words, "Bigger than this chest" emblazoned on its cover. She accused the magazine of trying to increase readership by dumbing down and oversimplifying its content. === Personal life === Abboud cares about her physical health and elegance. In June 2017 she publicly confirmed that she had undergone rhinoplasty, but that the rest of her features were not the result of plastic surgery. She said, "The secret of my beauty is sport". She is a supporter for a public smoking ban for Lebanon, saying, "Smoking and non-smoking areas must be allocated". She has been had an interest in sport and horseback riding since childhood. Abboud has four horses. She keeps in the village of Tanbourit in Lebanon's Sidon District. Their names are Rim, Loulou, Khaybar (named after Khaibar-1) and Layal (named after her given name). Abboud is a practicing Muslim. She fasts and abstains from performing during Ramadan, and holds the pre-dawn and post-sunset meals of suhur and Iftar with her family. === Marriage and family === Abboud married and gave birth to her only son, Jad, in 2004. She eventually divorced her husband. She later described the marriage as "very formal," and added, "My early marriage was the result of a love story. I am a romantic and dreamy woman." In June 2017, she said "By respect among us, we divorced and I chose my career in art." == Discography == === Studio albums === * 2007-8: Fi Shouq (Fi Shoo') * 2010:Ma B3eesh (Ma Be'eish) === Non-album singles === * 2007: Winni Ya Winn * 2007: Albi Yamma * 2007: Tshoobi * 2007: Abouya 2alli * 2007 :Aam Bihlamak * 2007: Hawasi Kella * 2007: Fi Shoo' * 2008: Wad Al Hetta * 2009 :Shid El Jaroufe * 2009: Bjnoun * 2010: Lazem Taaraf * 2010: BIBI * 2010: Ahla Zaffe * 2010: Dinyi Wlad * 2010: Ma B3eesh * 2010: Ya Tayr El Tayer * 2012: Ya Ana Ya Ana * 2013: Khashkhash hadid El Mohra * 2014 :Khaliha Bi Albi Tijrah == Videography == * 2007-8: Fi Shouq * 2007: Min Tghayar * 2007: Hawasi Kella * 2008 :Mashghoul Bali 3leik * 2008: Wad Al Hetta * 2009 :Shid El Jaroufe * 2009: Bjnoun * 2010: BIBI * 2010: Dinyi Wlad * 2010: Lazem Taaraf * 2010: Ma B3eesh * 2012: Ya Ana Ya Ana * 2013:‌ Khashkhash hadid El Mohra * 2015: Khaliha Bi Albi Tijrah * 2015: Maghanaj * 2017: Hader Ya Mister == Awards and commemorations == * February 14, 2010: Honorary Award by Lebanese Armed Forces: Valentine's Day of 2010. * November 23, 2011: Honorary Award by Lebanese Armed Forces. * March 6, 2012: Lebanese festival of cinema and television. * December 10, 2014: Best 2014 Arabic Song, A Golden Award by Cairo Mondial Festival of Art and Media: December 10, 2014. * November 24, 2015: Honorary Award by Lebanese Armed Forces. * April 27, 2016: Honorary Award by Lebanese Armed Forces . * March 19, 2016 : Recognition Award by Viken Tchaparian. * August 13, 2016 : Qousaya Folk Award * September 22, 2016: Revered by Guy Aswad. * April 23, 2017: 2017 Cultural Award for Artistic Creativity by Al-Aseel Association for Heritage Revival. * May 11, 2017: AUL University Commemoration. * July 19, 2017: Bziza Folk Award. == Related pages == * Music of Lebanon * List of tours and concerts by Layal Abboud * List of Lebanese female singers