Mariah Carey flaunts jewels by Lebanese-founded diamond label

Mariah Carey flaunts jewels by Lebanese-founded diamond label
Mariah Carey showed off a diamond set by Antwerp-based, Lebanese-founded high jewelry house Levuma. (Getty Images)
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Mariah Carey flaunts jewels by Lebanese-founded diamond label

Mariah Carey flaunts jewels by Lebanese-founded diamond label

DUBAI: Pop star Mariah Carey accepted the Vanguard Award at Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards in a $10 million diamond set by Antwerp-based, Lebanese-founded high jewelry house Levuma.

Founded by Ali Khalil in Antwerp in 2016, the jewelry house has a long tradition in the diamond industry, beginning with Khalil’s great-grandfather. In the 1930s, Khalil’s great-grandfather began trading rough diamonds in Sierra Leone. Fast forward to 2016 and Khalil decided to name his brand after Levuma, a remote village in the southeastern part of Sierra Leone and the site of the family’s first plot of land dedicated to mining diamonds.

On Sunday night in New York, Carey showed off the Rosee Eternellenecklace and earrings by Levuma, featuring more than 204 carats of D-F color, VVS+ clarity diamonds set in platinum. The set was displayed at Jewelry Salon in Riyadh in February.

At the awards ceremony, Carey wore the jewels while performing a medley of her hits, including “Fantasy,” “Obsessed,” and more.




At the awards ceremony, Mariah Carey wore the jewels while performing a medley of her hits. (Getty Images)

During her acceptance speech, Carey reflected on her contributions to music and joked about the long wait to receive her first VMA. “What in the Sam Hill were you waiting for?” she joked.

The evening featured a nostalgic aesthetic with performances by veteran artists including Carey, Busta Rhymes and Ricky Martin, while newer performers such as Doja Cat and Tate McRae incorporated choreography heavily borrowed from the 1980s and 1990s.

Ariana Grande won the MTV Video Music Awards’ top honor on Sunday, taking home Video of the Year for “Brighter Days Ahead,” which also claimed Best Pop Song at the ceremony near New York City, AFP reported.

Visibly emotional while accepting the evening’s most prestigious award, the 32-year-old singer-songwriter and actor delivered an extended thank-you to her fans, whom she described as “fiercely loving and supportive.”

Lady Gaga was another major winner, beating industry heavyweights including Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd for the top artist honor.

The 39-year-old interrupted her concert series to accept the Artist of the Year award and also won Best Collaboration with Bruno Mars for “Die with a Smile.”

Rose, who is pursuing a solo career after rising to fame with K-pop group Blackpink, received Song of the Year for “APT,” also co-written with Bruno Mars.


Haifaa Al-Mansour’s ‘Unidentified’ premieres at Toronto International Film Festival

Haifaa Al-Mansour’s ‘Unidentified’ premieres at Toronto International Film Festival
Updated 07 September 2025

Haifaa Al-Mansour’s ‘Unidentified’ premieres at Toronto International Film Festival

Haifaa Al-Mansour’s ‘Unidentified’ premieres at Toronto International Film Festival

DUBAI: Saudi director Haifaa Al-Mansour premiered her latest film, “Unidentified,” at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend.

Al-Mansour’s latest film is billed as a “crime thriller that pushes against gender norms and challenges simplistic narratives of femicide. Riddled with suspense, ‘Unidentified’ is a female-driven detective story that transgresses all manner of jurisdiction in its dogged pursuit of justice,” according to the film’s logline.

The story follows police department receptionist Nawal (played by Saudi actress Mila Al-Zahrani) as she is recruited to help an all-male team of detectives after a young woman’s abandoned body is found in the desert near Riyadh.

“While the police drag their heels, she quietly takes matters into her own hands, going to different all-girls’ high schools to ask about missing students, only to find the administrators uncooperative,” the logline adds.

Adwa Alasiri, Haifaa Al-Mansour and Mila Al-Zahrani attend the premiere of "Unidentified." (AFP)

Written by Al-Mansour, who also directed “The Perfect Candidate,” and Brad Niemann, the film premiered at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival with Shafi Al-Harthi, Al-Mansour, Al-Zahrani and Adwa Al-Asiri attending the screening.

This summer, the pioneering Saudi filmmaker was appointed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors.

In 2012, Al-Mansour made history with the release of her first feature film, “Wadjda.” It was the first feature film shot entirely in the Kingdom and the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director.

Over the years, Al-Mansour has also become one of the most in-demand television directors in Hollywood, helming episodes of hit series including “Archive 81,” “City of Fire,” “Tales of the Walking Dead,” and “Bosch: Legacy.”

In 2019, Al-Mansour’s feature film “The Perfect Candidate” was submitted as ’s official entry for the International Feature Film Award at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.


Sofia Boutella begins filming ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’ Season 3

Sofia Boutella begins filming ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’ Season 3
Updated 07 September 2025

Sofia Boutella begins filming ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’ Season 3

Sofia Boutella begins filming ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’ Season 3

DUBAI: French Algerian actress Sofia Boutella has started filming Season 3 of Second World War drama “SAS Rogue Heroes.”

Created by Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”), the season rejoins British troops in spring 1943 during the Second World War.

Knight’s hit drama for the BBC is being joined by new cast members in Season 3, including Nick Hargrove (“Devotion”), Lorne MacFadyen (“Vigil,” “Starstruck”), Andrew Dawson and Jake Jarratt.

Returning in the role of their leader is Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) who stars alongside Sofia Boutella as French-Algerian intelligence operative Eve Mansour and Dominic West as British Army officer Dudley Clarke.

The show is based on Ben Macintyre’s book of the same name.

“SAS Rogue Heroes” dramatizes the story of the Special Forces unit, picking up where Season 2 left off after its members parachuted deep behind enemy lines to disrupt the German army.  Season 3 is now filming in the UK and France.

In a statement, Knight said: “Series 3 picks up as the war enters a critical phase with the allies mobilizing to liberate France. Way ahead of the advancing front line the SAS are doing what they do best, creating chaos and carnage among the defending Axis troops. Never has the war been so bloody and never have the stakes been so high. The Rogue Heroes dare to win, but at what cost to themselves and their souls?”

Stephen Woolfenden returns as the director for Season 3, with Stephen Smallwood (“The Serpent,” “Patrick Melrose”) taking on the role of producer.

Boutella most recently starred in “The Killer’s Game,” which hit cinemas in September, and Netflix’s “Rebel Moon — Part 2: The Scargiver.”

The actress, who at the age of 10 fled to Paris with her family during the Algerian civil war, is also known for her breakout performance in the Oscar-nominated film “Star Trek Beyond,” in which she portrayed the fierce alien warrior, Jaylah.

She is also a professional dancer and starred in a music video for rock band the Foo Fighters in 2020.

The 43-year-old has decades of dance experience under her belt and has been honing her skills since she was a child.

Born in Bab El-Oued, a bustling neighborhood of Algiers, Boutella started studying ballet aged 5. The family fled the Algerian Civil War in 1992 when she was 10 years old and moved to Paris. There, she gravitated toward rhythmic gymnastics, joining the French national team at the age of 18.

She blended her classical ballet training with the physicality of gymnastics and even spent time break-dancing with a dance group called the Vagabond Crew.

 


‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ awarded Venice Film Festival’s second prize

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ awarded Venice Film Festival’s second prize
Updated 07 September 2025

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ awarded Venice Film Festival’s second prize

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ awarded Venice Film Festival’s second prize

VENICE: A gentle study of dysfunctional families by veteran American director Jim Jarmusch clinched the top prize at the Venice Film Festival Saturday, while a harrowing docudrama about the Gaza war took second.

Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother” starring Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver and Tom Waits, drew mostly positive reviews for its humorous portrayal of awkwardness and guilt.

The “Broken Flowers” director, who wrote the script for three family get-togethers in upstate New York, Dublin and Paris, had called it “a kind of anti-action film”.

“Thank you for appreciating our quiet film,” the 72-year-old said during his acceptance speech.

In a move that might disappoint campaigners against the Gaza war, the Venice jury under American director Alexander Payne did not reward “The Voice of Hind Rajab” with the Golden Lion.

Instead, the film about a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli troops last year, which reduced many festival viewers to tears, was given the grand jury second prize.

Franco-Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania produced a dramatised re-telling of Hind Rajab Hamada’s ordeal after she was trapped in a car that came under fire while she and her relatives were fleeing Gaza City.

It was the most talked-about movie on the Venice Lido and tipped by many as the likely winner after a 23-minute standing ovation at its premiere on Wednesday.

Hind Rajab’s story “is not hers alone,” Ben Hania said as she accepted her award.

“It is tragically the story of an entire people enduring genocide, inflicted by a criminal Israeli regime that acts with impunity,” she added.

Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix and Oscar-winning directors Jonathan Glazer (“The Zone of Interest”) and Mexico’s Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”) joined the film as executive producers after editing had been completed.

Jarmusch signalled his opposition to Israel’s continued siege and bombardment of Gaza by wearing a badge saying “Enough” at the Venice awards ceremony.


Hailey Bieber dons Ashi Studio as she promotes Rhode

Hailey Bieber dons Ashi Studio as she promotes Rhode
Updated 06 September 2025

Hailey Bieber dons Ashi Studio as she promotes Rhode

Hailey Bieber dons Ashi Studio as she promotes Rhode

DUBAI: US model Hailey Bieber this week stepped out in a dress by Paris-based label Ashi Studio, founded by Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi. 

Bieber wore a sculptural brown ensemble from the designer’s fall/winter 2025 couture collection. 

The look featured a strapless corseted bodice made of brown horsehair, paired with a matching skirt that flared slightly at the hem. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

She styled the outfit with pointed heels and wore her hair in a sleek high bun. 

Bieber has been in New York City promoting her skincare brand Rhode. 

This week, she announced her partnership with Sephora, revealing that the brand is now available in its stores.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bieber founded Rhode in June 2022. The brand focuses on minimal, hydrating products designed for everyday use. 

Its core lineup includes the Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Restore Cream and Peptide Lip Treatment — one of its most popular items. Other products include the Glazing Milk and the Pineapple Refresh Cleanser. 

Rhode’s latest drop is the Pocket Blush, a creamy, buildable blush available in a range of shades.


Saudi-backed ‘Palestine 36’ premieres at TIFF 2025

Saudi-backed ‘Palestine 36’ premieres at TIFF 2025
Updated 06 September 2025

Saudi-backed ‘Palestine 36’ premieres at TIFF 2025

Saudi-backed ‘Palestine 36’ premieres at TIFF 2025

DUBAI: Director Annemarie Jacir’s “Palestine 36” premiered this week at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at a gala screening.

The film was partially funded by ’s Red Sea Film Fund. 

Set on the outskirts of Jerusalem, “Palestine 36” tells the story of the Arab uprising against the British mandate.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The official logline reads: “In 1936, as villages across Mandatory Palestine rise against British colonial rule, Yusuf drifts between his rural home and the restless energy of Jerusalem, longing for a future beyond the growing unrest.

“But history is relentless. With rising numbers of Jewish immigrants escaping antisemitism in Europe, and the Palestinian population uniting in the largest and longest uprising against Britain’s 30-year dominion, all sides spiral toward inevitable collision in a decisive moment for the British Empire and the future of the entire region.”

The film features an ensemble cast, including Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons, “Game of Thrones” star Liam Cunningham, and Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine, alongside Palestinian talents Hiam Abbass, Yasmine Al-Massri, Kamel El Basha, and Saleh Bakri.

The premier was attended by British actors Billy Howle and Robert Aramayo, Palestinian actor Karim Daoud Anaya, and Palestinian Jordanian film producer Ossama Bawardi, as well as Jacir, Bakri, Al-Massri and Abbass. 

Jacir, whose previous credits include “Salt of the Sea,” “When I Saw You,” “Wajib” and episodes of “Ramy,” began work on the project before the global pandemic.