Haifa Wehbe (Arabic: هيفا وهبي; also spelled Haifa Wehbeh, Haifaa Wahbi, Hayfa Wehbe, Hayfa Wehbi; born March 10, 1976), is a top Lebanese model and popular singer who took the Arabic-speaking world by storm after the release of her first album It is Time (Arabic: هو الزمن Howa el Zaman). Known for her dazzling beauty, sensuality and catchy, fun and harmonious music as well as her artistic showmanship, and sexy outfits.

 Biography

Haifa was born to a Lebanese Shi'a father and an Egyptian Coptic Christian mother. She grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, listening to jazz and R&B. She became a model at a very young age and won the title of "Miss South Lebanon" at age sixteen.

Haifa's next distinction came in 1995 when she was runner up for Miss Lebanon. However, it was discovered since her last win that she was married and had a daughter named Zeinab (Zaza). Her title was revoked since she obviously no longer qualified as a 'Miss'.

By 1996 she had recovered from the scandal and was doing quite a bit of modeling. She had been seen on over 100 magazine covers.

She released her first album, titled It is Time (Arabic: هو الزمن Howa el Zaman) which was a hit thanks to her debut single "Agoul Ahwak (I say I love you)".

Her second album I Want to Live (Arabic: بدي عيش Baddi 'Eish) was released in 2005 and lived up to expectations due to the success of its lead single Hayat Albi. She followed that up with her biggest hit to date, Ana Haifa (I am Haifa) which became a huge hit and is the song she is mostly known for. In 2006 she released a follow up single Bous El Wawa which so far has done respectivly on the charts.

On June 10, 2006 Haifa became the first artist in the Arab World to introduce international hip-hop superstar 50 Cent when she performed as an opening act for his first concert in Lebanon, at BIEL in Beirut.

She remains popular among Lebanon's youth and makes countless television appearances. In July 2005, Wehbe, along with 14 other celebrities from the Arab world, began airing the live pan-Arab reality show series The Valley (Arabic: الوادي El Wadi), based on the French reality show La Ferme Célébrités.

The show aired for three months, 24/7. It was critically acclaimed and won over many of her harsh critics. The show featured weekly live performances in which Haifa played a central role as well as singing songs from her new album. She also enjoyed talking about her engagement and showing off her ring.

Her other non-musical successes include a few movie roles and TV hosting as well. Haifa has also stayed busy designing her own range or diamond jewelry and being a spokesmodel for Pepsi.

 Personal life

Haifa's first marriage ended and she later on announced her engagement to a Saudi businessman, Tariq Al-Jaffali, surprising many people in the Middle East and around the world. Rumors about the expensive gifts he offered her began to circulate immediately. However, after only a few weeks, she and her fiancée decided to split for personal and family issues. It was believed that her fiancé's family pressured him not to marry her.

Outside of her love life she has also had an image for being difficult and catty. She has been known to criticize singers for running around in skimpy outfits while herself doing that. She reportedly had issues with her family members, although she denies that, fellow musicians, and her record company.

Haifa is one of Lebanon's victims of gender discrimination. Under the Lebanese child custody laws, fathers get custody of their children. Her ex-husband has engaged in parental alienation for over 10 years during which Haifa has not seen her daughter.