Honey, candles and California: Meghan Markle’s new show goes live
Honey, candles and California: Meghan Markle’s new show goes live/node/2592463/entertainment
Honey, candles and California: Meghan Markle’s new show goes live
A person holds a smartphone displaying Netflix's new Meghan Markle show, ìWith Love, Meghanî, in front of a TV screen showing footage of the show, in Los Angeles, March 4, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 05 March 2025
AFP
Honey, candles and California: Meghan Markle’s new show goes live
Harry — whom Markle wed in a fairytale ceremony in 2018, and with whom she fled to California two years later — only makes a fleeting appearance at the end of the eight episodes
Updated 05 March 2025
AFP
LOS ANGELES, United States: Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle show went live on Netflix Tuesday, showcasing the former British royal as a thriving domestic maven.
The Duchess of Sussex, wife to Britain’s Prince Harry, harvests honey, makes pasta and mixes bath salts against an idyllic California backdrop.
A rustic and effortlessly chic home provides the setting for the first episode, whose conceit is that she is hosting a long-time friend.
Of course, we’re not actually at Markle’s house, but rather another luxury property near her home, where camera operators roam, offering purposely wobbly close-ups of candles, crudite and cake.
It also seems to have two kitchens. You know, like everyone’s house does.
Harry — whom Markle wed in a fairytale ceremony in 2018, and with whom she fled to California two years later — only makes a fleeting appearance at the end of the eight episodes.
But there are little hints about life as a British royal; reminders of how — in their telling — the couple were spurned by a stuffy and racist establishment.
A friend who comes to stay, makeup artist Daniel Martin, “has just been in my life from the before, during and after, shall we say,” Markle tells an off-screen producer, with a meaningful pause to let viewers piece everything together.
Episodes of “With Love, Meghan” feature appearances from chef Alice Waters, actress Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer, one of Markle’s “Suits” co-stars.
The show coincides with a rebranding of Markle’s jam-and-cookies online retailer, which was originally called “American Riviera Orchard” but is now known as “As Ever.”
The series is the latest effort by the Sussexes to make their own financial way after being cut off from the royal purse.
A reported $100 million deal with Netflix yielded the much-talked-about “Harry & Meghan,” a six-episode tell-all about their relationship and their high-profile split from the House of Windsor.
That was followed by Harry’s successful autobiography “Spare,” which re-trod much of the same angry ground, with bonus tales about taking drugs in proximity to Hollywood celebs.
But subsequent media ventures that have not rehashed the same grievances have fallen flat.
A Spotify interview podcast by Markle was not renewed after a first series critics blasted as pointless, while Netflix offerings about the sport of polo and the Invictus Games failed to make much impression.
Early reviews of “With Love, Meghan” in the British press were not kind, with The Telegraph calling the series an “exercise in narcissism.”
“Meghan invites people to her pretend house” wrote the paper’s critic, and “they tell her how amazing she is. This happens for eight episodes,” it said.
Meanwhile Britain’s The Times newspaper said the show was desperate in its “upbeatness” with Markle “presenting her extreme wealth and mind-bogglingly exclusive lifestyle as if it is available to anyone.”
DUBAI: The musical “WICKED” is heading to this December, with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Broadway Entertainment Group announcing a run of the popular show from Dec. 3-20 in Riyadh.
The event will be staged at the King Fahad Cultural Center, from where the iconic musical will launch a Gulf tour.
Billed as one of the most popular musicals ever staged, various productions of “WICKED” have been watched by 65 million audience members across 130 cities in 25 countries. This new production features 100 performers, crew, and orchestra members, 350 costumes, and the ever popular musical numbers “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good.”
Inspired by the classic story “The Wizard of Oz,” the musical is set in a hidden fairyland called Oz. “It’s the story of two remarkable young women — one, misunderstood but brilliantly talented and born with emerald-green skin; the other, beautiful, ambitious, and admired. What begins as an unlikely friendship soon becomes a riveting rivalry that shapes their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West,” the show’s logline reads.
“This new production brings its own vitality and creativity, while continuing to tell our story of friendship, love, and having the courage to be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe in,” Stephen Schwartz, the musical’s composer and lyricist, said in a released statement.
In 2024, “Wicked” was adapted into a Hollywood film starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the lead roles. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film went on to win two Academy Awards.
Renowned regional models star in Doja Cat’s latest music video/node/2617050/lifestyle
Renowned regional models star in Doja Cat’s latest music video
Updated 28 September 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: US rapper and singer Doja Cat released a music video for her latest single “Gorgeous” over the weekend that featured a lineup of sought-after models.
Dutch Moroccan Egyptian model Imaan Hammam joins Mona Tougaard — who has Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian roots — and US Somali star Ugbad Abdi alongside other fashion heavyweights, with the cast rounded out by Alex Consani, Anok Yai, Irina Shayk, Yseult, Paloma Elsesser, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Alex Wek, Karen Elson and Sora Choi.
Doja Cat, whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, also cast her mother, Deborah Sawyer, in the video, which recreates stereotypical makeup adverts from the 1980s and features models with bouffant hairstyles posing with lip gloss cases and mascara wands.
“Gorgeous” is the latest single from the singer’s recently released fifth album, “Vie,” which takes a detour into 1980s’-themed music. Rolling Stone magazine described the 15-strong track list as “an album full of pastels and neon and mega-cheese sax solos.”
On Saturday, Hammam took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes video taken during the shoot, where she is seen having her makeup applied before joining Doja Cat on set. It is not the first time the 28-year-old model has starred in a music video — in 2024, she featured in a video for “Imaan” by Sudanese Canadian poet, singer and songwriter Mustafa Ahmed, known as Mustafa.
The model is known for her love of music, art and culture and launched her archival project, Ayni, in February. The platform highlights significant contributions to Arab film, art, music and literature.
“Meet Ayni (@ayni.vault), an archive dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Arab artistic expression through ‘my eyes’,” Hammam wrote on Instagram at the time of the launch.
“Follow along as I highlight some of the most significant contributions to Arab film, art, music, and literature — both old and new — and celebrate the talented artists behind them. This project holds such a special place in my heart, and I hope you enjoy it just as much as I enjoy curating it.”
Saudi filmmaker with a different story to tell/node/2616751/lifestyle
Shahad Ameen rewrites narratives about her country with ‘Hijra,’ which was shown at Venice Film Festival
Updated 25 September 2025
Hebshi Alshammari
RIYADH: For Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen, presenting her work on the international stage is more than a personal achievement — it is an act of cultural expression.
Ameen’s latest film, “Hijra,” an exploration of female identity across generations, was shown at the recent 82nd Venice International Film Festival, putting the Kingdom firmly on the map of world cinema.
“There’s something special about being seen in a space like Venice,” the filmmaker told Arab News.
A young actress during a scene from "Hijra." (Supplied)
Ameen’s pride, however, extends beyond personal acclaim and is as much about demonstrating that Saudi stories carry significant “emotional weight, spiritual depth, and cinematic ambition.”
“Hijra” is supported by the Saudi Film Commission, as part of its efforts to make local films global.
The film marks a stylistic shift from her critically acclaimed debut “Scales,” a mythic allegory. The director described her latest production as a road film exploring how women across different generations perceive their identity.
“It’s a story of women navigating who they are, and understanding what freedom means to them,” Ameen said. “Where ‘Scales’ was mythic, ‘Hijra’ is more intimate. It’s about the pilgrimage we make toward ourselves, and the cost of that journey.”
Saudi director Shahad Ameen during the filming of "Hijra." (Supplied)
A central theme in Ameen’s work is challenging widely held views of . She rejects the notion that Saudi stories are binary, either about oppression or exoticism.
“I want to move past that,” she said. “Our lives are layered, our women are complex, and our culture is evolving in ways that deserve nuance.”
Ameen’s goal is not to explain Saudi culture, but to express it through “characters who feel real, flawed, and emotionally alive.”
Through “Hijra,” she hopes to share the “rhythm of our lives” — the quiet rituals, unspoken emotional codes between women, and the landscapes steeped in memory.
“There’s a softness in our culture that’s often missed,” she said. “I hope people feel the beauty in our resilience, and the complexity of our choices.”
The final moments before filming a scene from "Hijra." (Supplied)
Ameen is candid about the significant challenges in the film’s production — filming took place in eight cities, with tight timelines and only limited resources — and credits the rapidly evolving Saudi film infrastructure for making “Hijra” possible.
“The Saudi film space is growing, and our partnership with the Saudi Film Commission was absolutely essential,” Ameen said, acknowledging their help with permits, location scouting, and funding. “Most of our budget came through their support.”
She also highlighted crucial on-the-ground support from Film AlUla and Neom, calling it a “collaborative effort” with institutions that “truly believe in the future of Saudi cinema.”
For Ameen, authenticity is essential, and she rejects any idea of consciously balancing local and global themes. “I don’t think about balance, I think about truth,” she said. “I write from a Saudi lens, but I write about longing, loss, rebellion, love. These are not regional — they’re human. The specificity is the strength.”
As one of the leading voices in a new wave of Saudi cinema, Ameen is aware of her role in paving the way for others. “Success creates space,” she said. She hopes that these achievements will encourage greater investment in mentorship and infrastructure, giving the abundant local talent “room to breathe.”
Ameen sees her career as a chance to “rewrite the narrative” for herself and future generations. “I grew up without cinematic mirrors,” she said. “Now I get to hold one up.”
Looking ahead, Ameen said that she is committed to telling stories rooted in the Saudi experience, and describes the Kingdom as “the most exciting place in the world to make films.”
“We finally get to speak for ourselves,” she said. “That’s significant.”
Dua Lipa denies firing agent over pro-Israel views
Singer responds after Glastonbury claim
Updated 25 September 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: UK singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has responded to reports that she fired one of her agents after he tried to stop the Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap from performing at Glastonbury, calling the claims “deliberately inflammatory” and “completely false.”
David Levy was allegedly among music industry figures who signed a leaked letter urging Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis to drop the pro-Palestine group from the bill of this year’s festival.
Mail Online claimed that Lipa parted ways with Levy after learning about the letter. However, the British-Albanian pop star’s agency WME has called the story “categorically false” and clarified that Levy stopped working with Lipa in 2019.
In her own statement, shared on Instagram Stories, Lipa wrote: “I do not condone the actions of David Levy or other music executives toward an artist speaking their truth. I also cannot ignore how this has been handled in the press.
“Not only was the story completely false but the language used by the Daily Mail has been deliberately inflammatory, crafted purely for clickbait, clearly designed to fuel online division.”
She added: “It is always Free Palestine but exploiting a global tragedy in order to sell newspapers is something I find deeply troubling.”
WME said in a statement: “Reports suggesting that Dua Lipa or her management dismissed one of our agents because of his political views are categorically false.”
Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury went ahead in June, despite politicians calling for the band to be dropped from the bill.
One of the trio, who goes under the name “Mo Chara,” has been charged with a terrorism offence after allegedly displaying a flag representing Hezbollah at a gig last year. The musician denies the charge.
MUSE — Life lessons from inspirational women: Talia Lahoud
Updated 25 September 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: The Lebanese singer-songwriter talks creativity, consistency, and compliments.
I was obsessed with Disney movies and musicals when I was a kid — just falling in love with the magic of music and storytelling. Since then, I’ve never really stopped singing. Music was always around me growing up, my family has a real love and appreciation for all kinds of music, so it felt natural to dive deeper into it.
For me, creation comes from the deepest parts of the heart, and being able to share it with people who connect with it is so intimate, real, and powerful. Music is literally all of me, and the fact that I can make others feel what I feel through it is an incomparable experience. It’s the connection and the honesty that I receive that makes me love my work more than anything.
I’m not the most outgoing person, and I really value quality time with my family. I have a lot of different interests that keep me balanced: I love going to the gym, I’m a total foodie, and I’m obsessed with fashion! I also love spending quiet time watching movies or series, it’s one of my favorite ways to recharge. These hobbies bring me peace, and they give me the rest I need to come back to music with more energy and creativity.
Talia Lahoud. (Supplied)
I’ve always found myself relating to characters in movies or TV shows. For example, I loved “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Stranger Things,” and “Anne with an E.” They’re very different stories, but what they share in common is a young girl trying to figure out her life in her own way and in her own time. That really resonates with me, because I feel like I’m constantly discovering my own path, learning as I go, and staying truthful to who I am as a person and as an artist.
I have so many people I really look up to both as artists and as humans. From incredible Arab legends like Fayrouz, Umm Kulthum, Sherine Abdelwahab and Amr Diab, to amazing Western artists like Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Sia. I admire them all so much. What really inspires me is how true they are to their craft. They had struggles and setbacks, yet they managed to create music that touches people and stay authentic. I aspire to follow their footsteps and become like them.
l give off a very introverted vibe — especially years back when I was only sharing covers and music online. But recently I’ve started showing more of my personality online, and people discovered sides of me they didn’t know about, like my sense of humor, empathy… Music shows a part of me but it’s different when your content reveals the unfiltered side of who you are — the part people can’t see unless they really know you. I do look shy, and I guess I kind of am, but my heart is much more open than it first appears.
I’m proud of my consistency and dedication; getting up every single day and putting in the same energy and effort as if I’m starting fresh. Whether it’s a little or a lot, I give my all, and knowing that I’m always doing my best gives me peace, both personally and creatively. That daily commitment to myself and my craft is something I’m proud of.
I can be really critical of myself, even when I’m trying my hardest. Over time, I’ve learned that I need to be easier on myself, to trust that things take time, that plans don’t always go perfectly, and that every detour can actually open a new door in God’s plan. I’ve realized that giving myself a little more love and patience is just as important as working hard, and that lesson has been really powerful for both my personal and creative growth.
Something I came across on the internet really stuck with me: “If you have God, then you have nothing to worry about.” I’ve always been someone who stresses about almost everything in life. My path hasn’t always been easy or what I planned, and for a long time, I didn’t trust God as much as I should have. Slowly, I’m learning to trust more, to be grateful for what I have, and to take things one step at a time. That advice has really helped me feel patient, faithful, and just trust the process
I’ll never get tired of being delusional when it comes to dreaming. I’ve heard so many times that I need to “be realistic” about my goals. But I believe that the things we can achieve are endless if we let ourselves dream. Especially when we put in hard work.
I love it when someone tells me that I’m down to earth. I know that I naturally feel close to people and love them with my whole heart, but hearing that makes me feel seen in a special way. Growing up, I often felt a little out of place or like I didn’t fit in, so being recognized as someone genuine really means a lot. It’s one of those compliments that makes me feel appreciated for who I truly am.
One of the worst things I’ve heard came from a classmate years ago: “Music won’t bring you bread.” That line stuck with me for a long time, but it fueled my determination to prove people wrong. I’ve faced lots of people who didn’t believe in me, but I focused on the voices of those who did. Their support kept me going, and honestly, the doubt and hate only made me more unstoppable. It taught me that believing in yourself is far more powerful than anyone else’s opinions.
When someone genuinely recognizes a mistake and takes the step to apologize, it’s such a green flag for me. It shows that they’re coming from a good place in their heart. No one is perfect, but being willing to admit when we’re wrong and try to do better really matters to me, and it’s something I deeply value in people.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced when dealing with men in the industry is not being taken seriously. For example, when I’m in the studio, there’s often this assumption that a man must have written the song, even when I’m the writer. It’s frustrating how quickly women’s capabilities are underestimated, especially creatively. But I truly believe women are powerhouses, and I plan to prove that through my artistry, showing that we can do everything just as well, if not better.
I don’t waste my energy trying to convince anyone in the moment. Instead, I focus on showing exactly what I’m capable of through my work. The results will speak for themselves. I won’t try to force anyone into seeing what they cannot see now, they eventually will later.
I think men can learn so many things from women: the art of balancing many things in life, patience, dealing with problems with calm energy, tapping into their feelings more… Men are born to be great leaders, but when a woman is a leader yet she is still empathetic, creative, and loving? Well, that’s a combination they should be a little scared of.
