In shocking and moving confessions, Egyptian artist Ahmed Zaher opened his heart to the public, revealing the behind-the-scenes details of the most difficult periods he lived through in his personal and professional life, when a rare disease kept him away from the art scene for three years, which made him close to the brink of complete psychological collapse, to the point of seriously considering suicide to end his suffering.

Suffering with illness and weight gain

In a recent tribute seminar, Zaher recounted the details of that difficult period, noting that stopping work was not a choice but a forced decision due to a severe thyroid disorder, which caused him to gain excessive weight, exceeding 100 kilograms. He explained that this period was the most psychologically challenging, especially after he had established himself as one of the most prominent stars of his generation, only to suddenly find himself confined to his home while leading roles he had been considered for were given to his colleagues, deepening his feelings of helplessness and depression.

The moment of defeat in front of the leader

Zaher spoke with deep emotion about the pivotal moment when he appeared alongside the legendary actor Adel Imam in a project. Audiences and critics alike noticed the significant changes in his appearance and weight due to his illness, which deeply affected him. He emphasized that the looks of pity and surprise were slowly killing him, but at the same time, he considered that moment a wake-up call and an internal decision to fight back. He added, "I started again with very small roles that didn't reflect my previous career, but I didn't allow despair to defeat me, and I decided to start climbing the ladder from the very first step.".

The journey back and up to the top

Ahmed Zaher's comeback wasn't easy. He embarked on a grueling journey to lose weight and regain his physical fitness, while simultaneously accepting supporting roles to prove himself. Zaher said, "It was the most difficult period of my life, but I learned to face the pain, not to give up, and to return step by step until I regained my self-confidence and my artistic standing." This perseverance culminated in the resounding success he has achieved in recent years, particularly in the complex villainous roles he has brilliantly portrayed, such as his famous role as "Fathi" in the series "Al-Prince," which returned him to the ranks of the leading stars in Arab drama.

A message of hope and inspiration

Ahmed Zaher's statements sparked widespread reaction on social media, with many considering them a powerful motivational message about willpower and resilience in the face of the most difficult health and psychological circumstances. Zaher's story highlights the immense psychological pressures celebrities face and the importance of psychological and familial support in overcoming adversity. Zaher has emphasized on more than one occasion that his wife was his primary supporter on his journey from the brink of collapse to the pinnacle of success.

Egyptian star Sherine Abdel Wahab to the forefront of the media scene and search engines once again, not through a new artistic work, but through a complex legal and personal crisis, following the circulation of offensive audio recordings falsely attributed to her brother, which prompted an urgent and decisive move by her legal team to put an end to these violations.

Details of the report and legal action

In a move aimed at protecting the artist's rights and reputation, Yasser Qantoush, Sherine Abdel Wahab's lawyer, has initiated a series of official legal procedures. Qantoush filed an official report with the relevant authorities combating cybercrime in Egypt against an individual suspected of involvement in leaking audio recordings that spread like wildfire via the WhatsApp messaging application. These recordings contained offensive language and direct insults directed at the artist.

Qantoush put an end to the controversy surrounding the identity of the voice in the recordings, categorically confirming that it did not belong to Sherine's brother and refuting rumors that attempted to exploit previous family disputes. He explained that initial investigations and technical data clearly indicate that the accused obtained these private recordings after illegally hacking into the artist's phone , and not through any family source as some pages had claimed.

Historical background: A series of challenges

This incident adds to a series of crises that Sherine Abdel Wahab has faced in recent years, significantly impacting her artistic career and public image. Since her divorce and the subsequent family disputes and legal battles with production companies, the personal life of the "Voice of Egypt" has become fodder for the media, making her a frequent target of rumors and intrusions into her privacy. This current legal action reflects the artist's desire to put an end to these backdoors and focus on restoring her personal and professional stability.

Battle to Restore Digital Rights

In a related development concerning the cybercrimes targeting the artist, Egyptian investigative authorities have set February 21st as the date for the first hearing in the trial of the individual accused of seizing control of Sherine Abdel Wahab's official social media accounts. This case includes the takeover of her official YouTube channel, where the accused is suspected of illegally profiting from managing these channels, a blatant violation of the artist's intellectual property rights.

The phenomenon of digital blackmail and its impact

The case of Sherine Abdel Wahab highlights a growing and dangerous phenomenon: digital blackmail and the violation of the privacy of celebrities in the Arab world. This case is particularly significant as it comes at a time when Egyptian authorities are intensifying their efforts to combat cybercrime, relying on deterrent laws aimed at protecting the privacy of citizens. The results of the technical investigation being conducted by the relevant authorities are expected to play a crucial role in identifying the perpetrators and instigators, serving as a deterrent to anyone who might consider violating the privacy of others digitally.

Shereen’s legal team had previously announced that they were pursuing legal action against a number of online pages that had been publishing offensive content and fabricated images, stressing that these systematic campaigns had caused serious psychological and moral damage to the artist, who is striving to return to her audience with artistic works that befit her history.

Egyptian star Amr Saad to the forefront of the artistic and media scene after his swift reversal of his decision to retire from television dramas. This move sparked widespread controversy and reopened the debate surrounding the immense pressures faced by A-list actors. This reversal was not a mere coincidence, but rather the result of intensive efforts by decision-makers in the entertainment industry. Specialized reports covering the global entertainment industry, such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter , indicated that a wave of intensive contact from major Arab producers and production companies played a decisive role in convincing Saad to reconsider his position, especially given the existence of several major projects in development for upcoming seasons.

Context of the event: Between the pressures of Ramadan and the allure of cinema

To understand the implications of this decision, one must consider the broader context of Amr Saad's career, as he is considered one of the pillars of Egyptian drama in the last decade. Saad has always been known for portraying popular heroes and social stories that resonate with the realities of Egyptian street life, making him a force to be reckoned with in the Ramadan television season. However, the commitment to producing 30-episode series annually imposes immense psychological and physical pressures, prompting many stars to consider retirement or temporary hiatus in search of rest or to focus on cinema, which offers less demanding schedules and greater artistic impact.

Market shifts and the impact of digital platforms

Informed sources within the production market confirm that the crisis is not personal, but rather a reflection of fundamental shifts in the industry. The current phase is witnessing a rapid transition from traditional television broadcasting to digital platforms , which have changed the game by favoring short-form content (10 or 15 episodes) with a fast pace. This shift is forcing stars, including Amr Saad, to rebuild their artistic strategies to deliver content that aligns with the evolving tastes of the platform audience, avoiding the "stretching and drawn-out" that can plague longer productions.

The phenomenon of fluctuation and the future of drama

Art critics believe that Amr Saad's reversal of his retirement decision reflects a state of flux within the artistic community, where artists are torn between the desire to maintain their public presence and the pressing need to reassess their careers. Predictions suggest that Saad's return will be anything but conventional, focusing instead on works with profound human and social themes, in an attempt to present a mature artistic image that aligns with new global standards of quality and responds to the challenges posed by fierce competition in the Arab drama market.