Dominique Hourani to Al-Rai: I am not divorced... and I refuse my daughter's work in the arts
... In addition to singing and acting, Dominique Horani consistently maintains a strong presence on social media, as do several other artists who view it as a platform, often one that sparks controversy.
Dominique Horani, whose artistic portfolio is filled with numerous concerts across Europe and who is currently filming a series for next Ramadan, tells Al-Rai that she is among the most daring Arab female artists in expressing her convictions. However, she refuses to discuss her private life, noting that she remains under her husband’s protection.
- In truth, I did not conduct press interviews and distanced myself from the media because I was focusing on social media platforms. Moreover, I recently went through a psychological phase and did not want anyone interfering in my family life, as I had faced some problems due to media exposure. Therefore, I completely stepped away from it. Today, however, I travel between several countries, and all my concerts are currently taking place in Europe. I am also filming a series in Egypt that will air next Ramadan.
- Social media today allows individuals to express whatever they wish and to contribute to societal improvement. I feel that our Arab societies need someone to push them forward, so I appear on social media and discuss sensitive topics, whether through my stated viewpoints or through hints and indirect criticisms.
• Controversy has become part of an artist’s presence today. How has this served you through your appearances on social media?
- I continue to engage via social media, presenting different ideas even when I do not have a new project. I am someone who thinks and analyzes deeply, discussing social issues and sociology. When I have ideas, I prefer to express them rather than cry or complain. Many say I am controversial because I speak freely and do not lie. It is natural for a bold person to be controversial, and most comments describe me as the “most daring artist” because I discuss issues that displease some people, especially when I criticize men. I achieve millions of views on social media, but I also face significant criticism.
- Certainly, the female artist is still wronged in matters of love, because people are afraid to associate with her, unless the man is extremely confident in himself. However, some men do not do so because they fear public opinion or feel they cannot compete in this arena, so they prefer to stay away.
• You strive to combine singing and acting... Is your success in both fields equal in your eyes?
- I like my work to convey a clear, beautiful, and social message. For example, through songs, I present an image based on social criticism and deliver messages and critiques in an artistic manner. In cinema, however, I refuse to change my personality or present an image that does not reflect me in order to achieve greater popular exposure. An artist must carefully consider their steps and not present the public with an image that differs from their true self. Therefore, I prefer to remain natural, transparent, and as frank as possible, even though many are annoyed by this. I wear what I like, express my opinion frankly, and do not pretend to be someone else. Unfortunately, cinema has become driven by cliques, interests, and money. Many directors deal with people close to them, such as their wives or relatives, to play important roles, which is wrong. Moreover, film production has declined significantly today. Therefore, I choose my projects carefully and prefer to stay away when the work available does not respect my personality and talent.
• Some people believe you were exploited in cinema?
- I was not exploited in cinema, but the viewers of my film “Al-Bey Romantic,” especially the Messi scene, found it quintessentially comedic, and it achieved widespread popularity, giving people the impression that I am bold. I admit that I possess this boldness. However, I was modest in the works that made me famous, portraying characters such as the village girl, the rural girl, and the woman from Upper Egypt. Today, serious and challenging works no longer achieve the same level of success as before, because everyone has become an artist. Therefore, I preferred to have a positive influence on society and to maintain my personality as it is. Those who love me and follow me find in me a space for frankness that they themselves cannot express, or they see me speaking about problems they are unable to voice. Some follow my “madness” because they see me as unconventional, and many write to me in the comments saying they love me because I am cheerful, crazy, and eccentric, easing their life burdens and giving them positive energy.
- The song “Hummus” offers a satirical and comedic justification for the breakup of two people, while simultaneously conveying the message that toxic relationships must end because they become destructive, killing feelings and everything beautiful. In my opinion, every relationship has an expiration date. Here, I am not encouraging the destruction of families, but when a relationship is extremely toxic, I support the choice of divorce and separation. Many women in the Arab world are oppressed, and often a woman is forced to remain in her husband’s home, turning into a servant who raises the children, suffers psychological breakdown, and is destroyed, while the man lives his life and may even marry another woman. This is where the idea for the song “Hummus” came from. When someone asks me why I divorced, I answer satirically: “I got bored... I lost my taste for hummus.” Meaning the relationship became destructive, devoid of feeling or benefit, so why should I continue in it? One lives only once, and if both parties are unhappy, they should be encouraged to separate and each start a new life, rather than turning marriage into a punishment or sacrifice for the sake of children at the expense of their own lives, dreams, and futures.
- The idea for the song was born in a funny way when I was having lunch with friends at a mountain restaurant overlooking the sea. One of my relatives, who is very cheerful, said to me, “What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you eat hummus, even though you used to love it so much?” I replied, “I don’t want to eat hummus.” He said, “Come on, let’s write a song about it.” Over time, I developed the idea, wrote the lyrics, and composed it beautifully. I love this genre of songs—simple songs that do not talk only about love, but present an idea in a satirical and comedic manner.
- My daughter lives in Switzerland. She does not want to enter the artistic field, despite having many talents. I also do not want her to work in the arts. She loves politics, the world of business management, and “business.”
