Maria All Out

 Maria has stuff to get off her chest. The star who rose to fame by sinking into a bowl of breakfast cereal has been enjoying – and we use that word advisedly – a long-running feud with NOX favourite Dolly Shahine and Ola Ghanem, who herself appeared in Issue 26. It’s a public spat that began with the casting and subsequent billing for Bidoon Riqaba, Hani Jirjis Fawzi’s less-than-artistic cinematic exploration of woman-on-woman love. On-set rivalries, off-set back-stabbing and a whole lot of diva-like behaviour resulted in Dolly quitting, Hani suing, and everyone else piling in with their opinions. Maria, for her part, has more than kept up her end of the bargain. “Seriously, I don’t care what you write,” she says, whenever we remind her she is being taped. “Write it all.” We were, we confess, more than happy to oblige.

NOX: We’ve obviously seen a lot of you in the media recently. Are you promoting anything?
Maria Nalbandian: I have several surprises up my sleeve, but I’m not going to reveal anything now because I am currently on a break – from both work and love! Right now I just want to be alone with Maria. I may even leave everything behind and relocate to the United States...

NOX: Well, you have had a lot of attention recently. Do you get bothered by it, or is it a part of being a celebrity?
MN: It was my dream to see people in the street pointing at me and gathering around me. But now I feel like I need some privacy because I am a Leo, and Leos are romantic by nature.

NOX: Er, does that follow? Anyway, how did you decide to get into singing and acting?
MN: Show business started at home. My dad and my uncle both used to sing in Armenian, so I expected to start my career singing in Armenian as well. But I started modelling and won the Miss Bikini contest in 2002. It all went from there.

NOX: And that’s when you became an instant hit. How much did it have to do with the “El’ab” clip?
MN: I was called the seven-day star because I became too famous too quickly – that was well before the release of “El’ab”. Listen, before I appeared on the scene, there was this very rigid classical style of performing: standing still in a long formal dresses and singing. Even Nancy Ajram and Elissa followed it. I brought something new: the Barbie-like attitude, the concept of the little girl in flat shoes and pink colours. And then a whole “Maria line” of other singers came who copied my style. Let’s not get into names…

NOX: Okay, names you don’t mind talking about are those from Bidoon Riqaba, Ola Ghanem and Dolly Shahine in particular. What is your issue with them?
MN: I don’t have any problems with them – really, they are the least of my concerns. But shame on them for saying what they said about me. I am not concerned about it because I do this as a hobby, and there is always a 50 per cent chance that I can retire at anytime.

NOX: What was it they said that struck such a nerve?
MN: Dolly said, “Maria needs a lot of work to become more like me.” I cannot believe she said that! I really want to vent now: you, who are 130 centimetres tall, talking about me?! She fought with the director because she wanted to be called the star of the film, but the director made it clear from day one that I was. So she became really jealous and flipped out. I am sure she paid some journalist to thrash me. But her role was really minor – and she played a lesbian!

NOX: And Ola Ghanem?
MN: The same! She went around saying that she was the real star of the film – I had fire blowing out of my head! At least I played a clean, decent girl, unlike her ugly role. She did everything in the film – sleeping with guys and girls. My message to Mama Ola is to keep my name out of her mouth.

NOX: Did you just call her Mama Ola?
MN: Yes, I’m honest and spontaneous and I am not afraid.

NOX: Well, people criticised your role, too.
MN: The film is about the youngsters getting out of control. My role was a girl born and raised in Europe who still manages to exert more control than those living at home. Although I am always wearing shorts, I have standards and I refuse to give my boyfriend anything… if you know what I mean.

NOX: You once said you sing with your body, your clothes and your voice. Which is the most important?
MN: I’m the full package. I have to dress pretty and put on a whole performance that will get people excited. I do work on my vocal skills, too, although I am aware that I am not a “tarab” voice. But I hit my notes.

NOX: Are you a singer, actor or overall entertainer?
MN: I prefer to be called an artist, an artist can sing, dance, paint... When I was young I thought I’d become a painter. I have never actually painted on paper, but I can paint makeup on my face, and that’s another form of art I’m really good at.

NOX: Did your “El’ab” video affect your breakfast habits?
MN: No, I still eat cereal. I actually eat it with my bare hands now! After shooting, though, the smell of corn flakes stuck on me and just wouldn’t go away. I tried Dettol and Ariel and nothing happened. I was this close to using Jif…

NOX: Was it fun to do?
MN: No! When we started, I refused to get into the tub. It was too cold. And on top of that I was eating ice cream. The director said, “We are not here to play, get in the tub if you want for this to work.” They brought in a coffee pot of hot water and poured it into the tub.

NOX: Did you manage to get any milk endorsements?
MN: I got an offer for a Chupa Chups ad, but my agent rejected it. I think they did not pay enough.

NOX: So where in the world would you like to be right now – and with who?
MN: With my baby alone on an island – fishing.

NOX: What… you have a baby?
MN: No! My lover, my baby love.

NOX: What does a man have to do to earn “baby” status?
MN: He has to have a strong personality and to trust me. All I need is a mature man who knows what he wants...

NOX: What attracts your attention to a man?
MN: His shoes and his watch.

NOX: Er, great. Finally, do you fear what happened to Suzanne Tamim could happen to you or other stars?
MN: The world is going crazy. But if somebody sends a guy to kill me, the Bible clearly says that one should fear those who kill the soul not the body.

For a full version of this article and for more Maria images see NOX 33