Fans of Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe are going crazy for the Arabic-only singer's newly released music video for her first-ever English track, "Breathing You In." The launch of the new music video coincides with the launch of a Vevo channel for the Arab star.
While the connection between the "Interstellar"/"Gravity" theme with forays into a flower-dotted green field to the lyrics is a bit of a mystery, the tune is kind of catchy. While die-hard fans of the diva went into overdrive praising her foray into English music, there were some voices of dissent in Haifa-land.
Maybe it's not her best song, but saying that the star should stick to singing in Arabic? What can you do though? Haters gonna hate.
Lukcily for Haifa, the haters are being drowned out on social media by adoring fans.
Filmed in Las Vegas and directed by Palestinian-American Tariq Freitekh, who has previously done music videos for the likes of Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dog and Justin Bieber, Haifa's video also featured a shirtless Casper Smart, Jennifer Lopez's former lover. In the video, Haifa gets up close and personal with the shirtless Smart, before he floats in space and she stays on earth. #deep
Already one of the biggest, and perhaps most controversial, divas in the Arab world, Haifa has some 3 million followers on Twitter and well over 5.5 million likes on Facebook. The transition to English seems a clear sign that Haifa is looking to broaden her appeal to an international audience.
But is this the song that will take her global? The crystal ball says ... unlikely.
But it will likely appeal to Arab transplants in other markets.
Share your thoughts on the new release in the comments below ... and if you think the Lebanese diva can make the cross-over from Arab star to world icon.