Ryan O’Neal testifies about disputed Warhol37 art MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013

Members of the Syrian group, Sima, react after being named the winners of the pan-Arab TV program ‘ n American singer who cannot even speak ’ at has come runner-up in television reality show Arabs the MBC AGot Talent after wooing audiences across the Middle television East. The renditions of classical Arab songs by Jennifer station studios Grout, a petite blonde from Boston, Massachusetts, ensured in Zouk she was among the three finalists in the popular show. First Mosbeh, north prize in the pan-Arab contest went to Syrian dance troupe of Beirut, on Sima for a performance portraying the autocratic rule of December 7, veteran leaders in the , MBC network 2013. — AFP announced late Saturday. But Groutóthe only non-Arab to photos competeócame close behind along with Palestinian artist Mohammad Al-Diri, who captured audiences by drawing portraits of prominent Arab and international figures using original and diverse techniques. The 23-year-old, who taught herself to sing difficult and popular Arab songs without speaking a word of the language, stunned audiences with her voice. She grew up in a musical home, and came upon Arab music after read- ing an online article about Arab diva Fairouz from . She was enthralled by her voice and soon dis- covered other singers, including Umm Kalthoum, the Egyptian still considered to be the Arab worldís finest singer three decades after her death. Grout mesmerized audiences with her rendition of an Umm Kalthoum song as she appeared on the Beirut stage of Arabs Got Talent, strumming the oud as she sang. Grout told AFP that despite not speaking Arabic, she learned the lyrics to the songs after finding translations for them on the Internet. MBC said Sima won the most votes from audiences around the Arab world, but the broadcaster did not reveal who came second or third. The talent program is based on the UK show Britainís Got The finalists gather on stage ahead of the results of the pan-Arab TV program “Arabs Jennifer Grout performs during the final episode of the pan-Arab TV program ‘Arabs Talent. — AFP Got Talent”. Got Talent’ performing.

Members of the Sima group perform during the final episode of the pan-Arab TV program ‘Arabs Got Talent’ performing.

Members of the Syrian group, Sima, Palestinian painter Mohammad Al Members of Diri, and the Syrian American group, Sima, singer Jennifer react after Grout, wait for being named the final the winners of results of the the pan-Arab pan-Arab TV TV program program ‘Arabs Got ‘Arabs Got Talent’. Talent’.

Mohamad Al Diri paints a Lebanese portrait of late Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy, one Palestinian Mohamad Al Diri waits for singer Najwa Palestinian of the judges, watches the acts. the final result. Karam, one of leader Yasser the judges, Arafat using a speaks during blowtorch the final during the final episode of the episode of the pan-Arab TV pan-Arab TV program ‘Arabs program ‘Arabs Got Talent’. Got Talent’.