Dominique

And before your girlfriend, wife or irritating female work colleagues start rolling their eyes at your new obsession, you can point them in the direction of her Masters degree in Business, or the latest committee she happens to be chairing as a human rights ambassador against juvenile drug addiction. And the worst part, girls, she really does look like that. She has the 2003 Miss Intercontinental title to prove it, her own line of lingerie that we spent hours investigating – well, she does model it herself – and the distinction of being Lebanon’s entry to the 2006 Global Honeys TV show, which admittedly might be slightly less convincing evidence. Anyway, we can certainly vouch for her; we had the very considerable pleasure of sitting right across the table from her this month. 

 

Dominique Hourany: Actually, I have three degrees! A masters in business administration and degrees in psychology and accounting. I actually think those degrees are the foundation of my art; it could appeal to some while others may not like it that much. However, in my personal opinion, I have accomplished a lot in one year, and my work keeps improving constantly. I hope those in the media would give me more and more of a chance to prove my ability. I firmly believe that what they will see soon will re-establish the trust between us.

 

Dominique: I ask you right now, leaving the reader the right to decide for himself, were the roles I played in Garrab or “Aywa Di” seductive? [Well, Dominique, they worked for us – Ed.] I wasn’t in a swimsuit, I didn’t expose and body parts and I didn’t touch my body. I am a card-carrying member of the artists’ syndicate! Regarding my voice, I never claimed I had a beautiful voice. I do, however, perform well and study music, vocals, and I am improving every day.

 

Dominique: No, my name was never mentioned. My performances in Syria are unaffected. By the way, I have sung a song “al-Khashooka” in the Syrian dialect of Latakia.

 

Dominique: As you know, those pageants are organised by private companies. The government is completely inactive in that area and has very little to do with it. So, maybe it’s natural there are many shortcomings. As for modelling, there are many girls that have represented their countries through beauty pageants and have received various titles – and a lot have then gone on to be successful in social areas and some even in politics. Fame, as I mentioned earlier, is just a way to reach people. It means nothing if you can’t influence anyone, or change something – it is a very special gift and as such has to be used for noble purposes. So the reputation will depend how a models’ fame is used.

 

Dominique: It’s called the Organisation for Protection of Citizens, and Mr Waseem Halaby appointed me to the role of ambassador. When they announced that I had accepted, they said I was “the only artist who has the necessary knowledge, beauty, and track record that enables her to influence the youth and protect them from drugs.” So far, I’ve started developing the broad outline of an awareness campaign and am organising several charity events to raise awareness about addiction, and hopefully these will encourage young people to take a more active interest in better and more useful things such as reading, sports, art, music, and different hobbies.

 

Dominique: No. I’m confident enough that I do not really care for competition, and I think every singer can differentiate him or herself with their choice of songs.

 

Dominique: If you look at the time involved – around a year and a half – I think what I have accomplished is pretty significant. I have been able to prove myself as a singer in very short period of time. I’ve released a successful album which has achieved a good amount of sales and more than six video clips, and this is not counting my new album which is about to be released. 

 

Dominique: If I accept it, would the audience accept it? I am already being criticised without any kissing!

 

Dominique: I love myself because I love life and I love people. I am not a narcissist in the negative sense of the word. I am very simple in my day to day life and quite modest; I always use the Arabic expression “It is the grain that is full that is bowed, while empty grains hold their heads high”. What I like the most is the fact that when journalists interview me they always walk away with the impression that my real character is vastly different than what some people imagine. Some who didn’t even want to interview me have said afterwards that they wish all artists were more like me.  I really don’t know why some people think I am pompous or a narcissist.