6 times Khaleeji stars stirred up controversy

Gulf society is still largely conservative and traditionalist, that’s why controversies tend to get a lot of attention and coverage in the media and among people, especially when these controversies are related to Khaleeji celebrities who tend to always be politically correct and poised.

Here are 6 times Khaleeji stars stirred up controversy:

She’s probably the most controversial Khaleeji star ever. Almost anything the Emirati singer does or says causes a lot of controversy, from wearing a million dollar diamond encrusted dress to posting photos of her expensive jewelry, to shouting "AABY KENTUCKY!" or "I want KFC!" during a live episode of Arab Idol. The latest controversy was having her TV show "The Queen" canceled after just one episode on Dubai TV. In the show, Ahlam proclaimed herself to be "the queen of Khaleeji singers" and asked the participants or "Halloumis" to battle against each other in order to win a chance to be her BFF! The concept of the show was heavily criticized on social media and a successful campaign to stop the show was launched.

This outspoken Kuwaiti singer has had her fair share of controversy. She regularly receives criticism for wearing "revealing" outfits and posting "provocative" photos on social media. But her most recent controversy was admitting during a TV interview that she gave up her Kuwaiti passport in order to keep the British one, which gives her more freedom to travel. Many thought that by doing so, the Saudi born singer is abandoning her roots and nationality. In the same interview on Dream TV, Shams criticized the law that prevents women from driving in KSA and said she doesn’t understand how allowing women to drive is against honor and traditions. Her comments were met with anger by some Saudis who saw them as an attack on the laws and traditions of Saudi society.

The flamboyant Emirati singer is known for his love of outlandish costumes and theatrical style. He likes coordinating the color of his outfit with the color of his car, wearing the same color from head to toe, and occasionally dressing up as Michael Jackson or Bob Marley. Recently, the happy-go-lucky singer posted a video clip for one of his songs in which he appeared as a cowboy shooting a pistol and riding a horse. The video was quickly removed after receiving many negative comments about the shallow words and Bel Kheir’s horrendous but hilarious portrayal of a cowboy.

This Kuwaiti actress did something unprecedented in the Arab world when she revealed that she was adopted in a series of heartfelt videos on Instagram back in 2013. Shjoon’s decision to unveil the truth about her roots caused a stir because adoption is haram in Islam and because very few Arab children confess the fact that they are adopted.

The young Bahraini singer/actress, who found fame as a child contestant in Arabs Got Talent, provoked many people on social media when she started posting photos of herself wearing full makeup and striking adult-like poses. The biggest controversy surrounding the 13-year-old was when a Saudi man asked for her hand in marriage in a Twitter comment on her father’s page back in 2015. The comment was then deleted but many thought that if Hala did not act and look beyond her years she wouldn’t have received such a comment.

Many Khaleejis still find it difficult to get on board with Halima’s exaggerated cuteness and sweetness. She often gets accused of being fake and over-the-top in her style of presenting. The Kuwaiti TV host recently received harsh criticism for her 2016 program "Due Halima" for lacking substance, for her self-indulgent attitude and for giving a bad example of Kuwaiti women. The show was then cancelled from Alrai TV channel.