Established 1961 29 Lifestyle Feature Monday, February 5, 2018

Moroccan Hamza Labyad (second left) reacts to being named the winner of season two of the ‘ Kids: Ahla Sawt’ on Moroccan Hamza Labyad (second right) is presented with the trophy after being named the winner of season two of the February 3, 2018, at the Pan Arab Satellite MBC TV Station studios in Zouk Mosbeh, north of the capital . — AFP “The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt” . Morocco’s Hamza Labyad wins the latest edition of ‘the Voice Kids’ on MBC1 and ‘MBC Masr’

Moroccan Hamza Labyad (left) is presented with the trophy after being named the winner of season two of the ‘The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt’.

Lebanese singer and judge (center) sings with Lebanese George Assi (left) and Egyptian singer and judge (center) sings with Iraqi Nour Wissam (left) and Saudi Loujay Al-Masrahy (right) during season two of the “The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt”. Egyptian Achrakat Ahmad (right) during season two of the “The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt”.

amza Labyad from Morocco has been named the Press conference winner of 2018’s ‘the Voice Kids’, in an edition of Following the live finale and crowning of the winner, Hthe entertainment programme on MBC1 and “MBC “MBC Group” held a post-event press conference at its Masr” that has garnered high television ratings and gen- Beirut studios. Joining the three coaches - Al-Sahir, Ajram (From left) Iraqi singer and judge Kazem Al-Saher sings with erated a large following via social media. Aged just 10, and Hosny - was Mazen Hayek, MBC Group’s Official Moroccan Hamza Labyad and Yemeni Maria Kahtan. Labyad - who was coached by singing and one Spokesman, along with Labyad and his parents, who of show’s judges, Kadim Al-Sahir - captivated the hearts thanked the programme for the “wonderful experience” Arts],” noted Labyad. “Programmes like this offers the of audiences all over the region since his first appearance their son has taken part in. opportunity for them to choose.” on stage. Iraqi singer, composer and songwriter Al-Sahir On his part, Al-Sahir - who oversaw the coaching of has now enjoyed mentoring two winning contestants, two Labyad from the beginning of the season - expressed his A message of hope seasons in a row after also emerging victorious in the joy at one of his team members winning for the second During the conference, Mazen Hayek stated that the series debut in 2016. consecutive season, stressing that all the contestants are second season of ‘the Voice Kids’ has garnered more suc- Six talented contestants made up Season Two’s grand winners. cess than the previous season, stating: “The exceptional finale: Nour Wissam and Achrakat Ahmad - part of “Our children [in the Arab world] are immensely cre- talent made it impossible to predict who would emerge the Egyptian singer and judge Tamer Hosny’s team; Loujay ative,” he said. “We need to continue discovering their tal- winner, in addition to the fact that the first season was Moroccan Hamza Labyad (left), the winner of season two of Almasrahy and Georges Assi - part of Lebanese singer ents and culture - despite our current turbulent times in somewhat of an introduction to the programme in the the “The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt”, poses for a picture with his and judge Nancy Ajram’s team; and of course, Labyad, the region. “I started my career as a school teacher and region. trophy and a member of staff. along with Mariah Qahtan on ‘Team Kadim’. The three therefore consider working with children both fun and an “For Season Two, viewers have been following it from coaches praised all the contestants who took part in this important responsibility. It reminds me of my early days in the very beginning.” series, with a special acknowledgment to those who the art and entertainment world.” He also went on to state that the programme goes made to the semi-finals and finals. beyond just a singing completion for children in a region Following his win, Labyad has walked away with sev- that’s affected by wars, displacement and insecurity. eral prizes, including a VIP family trip to Disneyland(r) “These kids are doves of peace amidst a storm of war, , where he will be shooting his very own music video extremism and human suffering,” he continued. “I urge that for the new Disney Princess song, “Eish Al-Hekaya”, giv- Superstar Coach we use platforms like that of ‘the Voice Kids’ to spread en the English title: “Live Your Life”. This is part of an love, tolerance and peace - and not racism or divisiveness. exclusive partnership between ‘The Voice Kids’ and We need to bring hope to our children.” Disney. Kadim Al-Sahir He’s also received a SR 200,000 scholarship; a family Star coaches congratulate contestants trip to London courtesy of WEGO and a contract with scores his second Lebanese singer Ajram praised all the young contest- Platinum Records. ants for their participation, commenting: “I wish that life in the Arab world was like that of the experiences on ‘the Live finale victory in a row Voice Kids’ because it is innocent and pure. The goal of Televised live from MBC Group’s studios in Beirut, the show is to bring happiness to the participants and , the six finalists performed a number of songs, viewers.” Moroccan Hamza Labyad, the winner of season two of the ‘The including “Eish Al-Hekaya”, as part of a special partner- Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt’, poses for a picture with his trophy. Meanwhile, third coach Hosny confessed he knew ship with Disney. Meanwhile, winner Labyad told the attending media Labyad was a hot favourite to win, stating: “He has a fan- There was also a special appearance by ‘the Voice that he was hoping for a win since the beginning of the tastic voice. And I have been saying this from the very Kids’ Season One winner, Lynn el-Hayek, who performed programme, even though the remaining finalists had “very beginning. “The programme teaches kids the meaning of her brand-new song “Aam Bekbar” [I’m Getting Older]. strong and distinctive voices”. He went on to thank Al- will and ambition, and strengthens their sense of challenge, All three coaches praised the finalists for their efforts Sahir for his commitment on the show, especially for which we need more of in the region. But most importantly, throughout the competition and that they were all walk- responding for his desire to meet the iconic Syrian tenor we train them without losing a sense of fun, despite it ing away winners. As per the public votes, Egypt’s singer Sabah Fakhri. Additionally, the 10-year-old winner being a competition.” Ahmad and Saudi Arabia’s Almasrahy were named the thanked fans of the programme and those who voted. runners-up before Labyad was crowned the winner. “Children should be able to be taught and study [the

Yemeni Maria Kahtan (right) is comforted by Iraqi singer and (From left) Moroccan Hamza Labyad, Iraqi Nour Wissam, Lebanese George Assi, Yemeni Maria (From right) Iraqi singer and judge Kazem Al-Saher, Lebanese singer and judge Nancy Ajram judge Kazem Al-Saher after not winning season two of the Kahtan, Saudi Loujay Al-Masrahy, and Egyptian Achrakat Ahmad, the six finalists of season (center) and Egyptian singer and judge Tamer Hosny. — AFP photos “The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt”. two of the ‘The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt’ perform on stage.