Controversial statements by musician Hani Mehanna

In a frank and bold interview, the great Egyptian musician Hani Mehanna opened his box of artistic and personal secrets, revealing behind-the-scenes details of his meetings with singing stars in Egypt, and presenting his vision that sparked widespread controversy regarding the career of artist Sherine Abdel Wahab, and the phenomenon of Amr Diab, in addition to settling one of the most famous romantic stories in the history of Arab art, which is the relationship of the dark-skinned nightingale Abdel Halim Hafez with the Cinderella Souad Hosny.

Sherine Abdel Wahab: A genuine popular voice and a turning point

Mohanna reminisced about his first meeting with the artist Sherine Abdel Wahab, admitting that he was surprised by the power of her voice and the sincerity of her innate emotion. Despite this initial fascination, Mohanna stated that he did not see Sherine as a singer in the classical sense. During his interview with journalist Yasmine Ezz on the program "Kalam El Nas" (People's Talk), he explained: "I told Sherine frankly that she wasn't suited to being a singer in the traditional sense, and that popular music was the broader field in which she could truly shine." Mohanna attributed his opinion to the nature of her powerful and direct voice, which possesses a unique ability to easily touch the hearts of a wide audience, a characteristic that distinguishes Egyptian popular music.

He noted that the song "Garh Tani" (Another Wound) was a pivotal turning point in her career, solidifying her artistic identity and opening the doors to stardom wide for her. He emphasized that her strong artistic personality and commanding presence contributed to the widespread popularity of her work, making her one of the most important female voices in Egypt and the Arab world over the last two decades.

Amr Diab: Exceptional artistic intelligence reminiscent of Abdel Halim

In his assessment of Amr Diab's career, Mohanna expressed his deep appreciation for him, describing him as one of the most important figures in contemporary music and the owner of a unique artistic experience that has remained at the forefront of the scene for decades. However, he surprised many by saying, "Amr Diab reminds me of Abdel Halim Hafez, even though he's not a singer." Mohanna explained his view by saying that Diab possesses exceptional artistic intelligence that compensates for any artistic shortcomings, just as Abdel Halim Hafez did. He added, "He's very clever; he fills in a singer's artistic deficiencies with his intelligence, and he's one of those stars who have a long life.".

He explained that his concept of a "singer" is linked to the ability to improvise and deliver pure, captivating music, something he believes Amr Diab embodies with intelligence and a well-thought-out approach, rather than relying on traditional methods. He emphasized that this doesn't diminish Diab's value; on the contrary, it highlights his profound understanding of the tools for success and his rare ability to innovate and keep pace with the times, making him a natural continuation of the school of great masters, but with his own unique style.

The truth about the marriage of Abdel Halim Hafez and Souad Hosny: The doctor had his say

Hani Mehanna addressed one of the most controversial issues in the history of Egyptian art: the truth about the marriage of Abdel Halim Hafez and Soad Hosny. Mehanna categorically denied the rumors confirming their marriage, stating, "Abdel Halim and Soad Hosny had a love affair, but they did not marry." He revealed the real reason behind the marriage not taking place, explaining, "The doctor forbade Abdel Halim from marrying due to his health condition.".

Muhanna's statement adds a new dimension to this story that has captivated public opinion for decades. It is well known that Abdel Halim Hafez suffered throughout his life from schistosomiasis and its serious complications, which significantly impacted his personal life and decisions. Muhanna's testimony, as someone close to many stars of that era, confirms that the Nightingale's critical health condition was the primary obstacle to his formal marriage to the woman he loved, leaving their love story as one of the most famous unfulfilled romances in Arab memory.

Zeina's lawyer denies rumors of millions and reveals the real figures

Lawyer Moataz El-Dakr, representing Egyptian actress Zeina, categorically denied reports circulating about his client receiving 2.5 million Egyptian pounds monthly in alimony from actor Ahmed Ezz. During a phone interview on the program "Kol El Kalam," El-Dakr asserted that these figures circulating on social media are baseless and intended solely to stir controversy and mislead public opinion in a case that has captivated the nation for years.

The lawyer explained that the actual amounts awarded by the court are far less than the rumored figures. The monthly child support includes 60,000 Egyptian pounds, in addition to 35,000 pounds for housing and 5,000 pounds for childcare. Annual school fees are estimated at around 700,000 pounds. He emphasized that these official figures are the only ones that reflect the legal reality and are far removed from the alleged millions.

The currency exchange problem: paying in pounds sterling and receiving payment in Egyptian pounds

The lawyer highlighted a significant financial challenge facing actress Zeina, one that many overlook. He pointed out that his client is obligated to pay her children's school fees in British pounds because they attend international schools. In contrast, the law requires actor Ahmed Ezz to pay these fees in Egyptian pounds, according to the exchange rate in effect when the court rulings were issued several years ago. This places a heavy burden on Zeina due to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, forcing her to cover the difference from her own funds. This directly contradicts the image some try to portray of her as easily acquiring vast sums of money.

Background of the dispute: A legal battle to establish paternity

The roots of this case lie in years of legal and media conflict between the two stars, which began when Zeina announced her marriage to Ahmed Ezz and the birth of their twins, Zein El-Din and Ezz El-Din, a claim Ezz vehemently denied. Zeina resorted to the courts in a protracted battle to establish the paternity of her children, culminating in a final ruling from the Family Court confirming Ahmed Ezz as the father of the twins. Following this ruling, a series of lawsuits ensued to determine various expenses, including food, clothing, housing, and school fees, a saga that continues to this day.

The societal impact of the issue and the role of the media

The case of Zeina and Ahmed Ezz is particularly significant as it sheds light on personal status issues in Egypt and the challenges women face in securing their children's rights. It also reveals the complexities of the legal process, which the lawyer described as lengthy and exhausting, with each case taking years to resolve through the courts of first instance and appeal. He criticized what he called the "quagmire" of social media, which contributes to exaggerating figures and creating fabricated narratives, negatively impacting not only the parties involved but also distorting the image of family law cases and creating societal discord based on misinformation.