On an exceptional night in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the name of Lebanese artist Fadel Shaker was strongly heard in Arab artistic circles, after he was crowned with two prestigious awards at the Joy Awards 2024 ceremony. Despite his physical absence from the ceremony, his emotional presence was overwhelming, as his son, Muhammad, received the two awards on his behalf, in a touching scene that summarized years of distance and anticipation.

A touching message and a reward from the Lord of the Worlds

Fadl Shaker was quick to express his deep gratitude to his fans who gave him their votes and support, considering this victory a "blessing from God." In a touching post on his X platform account, he said, "Praise be to God always and forever. God doesn't let anyone down, especially at this time. While I'm away from everyone, your love reached me, and you lifted me up and strengthened me, even from afar." He added that the award is not just an honor, but a message of divine support during a difficult time, extending special thanks to the Joy Awards management and Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh for this recognition.

The artist addressed his audience with heartfelt words, saying: “To my loyal audience, you are my pride, you are my strength, and you are the reason, after God, for everything beautiful that is happening. With you by my side, hope returns to me and I raise my head high. And God willing, what is coming is better, and the light will overcome the darkness… Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”.

Background to the return and the importance of the award

This crowning achievement comes at a very special time in Fadel Shaker's artistic career. After being one of the most prominent stars of romantic music in the Arab world during the 1990s and early 2000s, with his voice described as the "King of Emotion," the artist withdrew from the music scene for many years due to complex legal issues in Lebanon. This extended absence made his gradual return through the release of new songs a matter of great interest and widespread anticipation from his loyal fans.

The regional impact of the Joy Awards

The Joy Awards, organized by the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, are one of the largest arts events in the Middle East, honoring creators in music, film, and drama based on public voting. Fadl Shaker's winning of both the "Favorite Artist" award in the music category and the "Favorite Song" award for his hit "Sahak Al Shawq" not only reflects his continued immense popularity but also represents significant regional recognition of his artistic stature and acceptance of his return by a broad fan base. This victory gives him a tremendous morale boost that may pave the way for a more complete comeback to the music scene in the near future.

Shock in the Egyptian art scene

The Egyptian art scene was deeply saddened and shocked by the news of the death of prominent fashion designer and art stylist, Reham Assem, on Monday evening, following a sudden deterioration in her health. Her sudden passing at such a young age has sparked controversy and raised questions, especially after her family linked her declining health to a cortisone injection, opening the door to widespread discussion about the circumstances surrounding her death.

From broken ankle to intensive care

The tragedy began when Reham Assem fell inside her home, suffering a quadruple fracture in her ankle, which necessitated her transfer to the hospital for treatment. According to her mother's statements to the media, this injury was not the end of her ordeal, as she began complaining of subsequent complications, including severe pain in her neck and arm. This development prompted her return to the hospital, where a suspected cartilage injury was being investigated.

However, medical examinations ruled out any cartilage injury. This is where the story took a dramatic turn. Her mother confirmed that doctors decided to give her a cortisone injection to alleviate the pain, but immediately after leaving the medical facility, Reham lost consciousness completely. She was rushed to the intensive care unit of another hospital, where she spent four agonizing days under close medical supervision before passing away. Her mother added, heartbroken, that Reham sensed her impending death, saying in her final moments, "I'm going to die, Mama.".

Her influence and illustrious career

Reham Assem was more than just a passing name in the world of Egyptian cinema and drama; she was one of the most prominent costume designers who left a clear mark on many important artistic works. Her career began in 2009 with the film "El-Beh Romancy," and since then, she has built a strong reputation for herself through her distinctive artistic vision and her ability to portray characters through her costumes.

One of her most notable career milestones was the film "Welad Rizk 2," where she successfully delivered a unique visual vision for the characters of "The Lions of the Land," contributing significantly to the film's distinctive character. Her extensive body of work also includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in cinema, designing costumes for blockbuster hits such as "Nour Einy" starring Tamer Hosny and Menna Shalaby, "Bon Soirée" starring Ghada Abdel Razek, and "Abdo Mota" starring Mohamed Ramadan. In television drama, she contributed her talents to successful series like "Shaqa Faisal," and her final work was the series "Hadouta Mansiya," which aired in 2024, marking the end of a prolific and accomplished career.

The repercussions and significance of the incident

The sudden death of Reham Assem sparked a wave of sympathy and anger on social media, with many demanding a transparent investigation to determine the true cause of her deteriorating health following a cortisone injection. The incident has once again highlighted the importance of accurate medical diagnosis and the potential risks of certain treatments, reigniting the debate surrounding medical liability. The loss of such a talent to the artistic community as Reham Assem is a significant blow, not only to her family and friends, but also to the Egyptian film and television industry, whose visual identity she helped shape with her unique style.