MARILYNE NAAMAN
Discovering oneself through unexpected events:
From a Lebanese movie to The Voice France
My heart has always been my compass, leading me to arts that I consider being far beyond mere hobbies. My singing talent was noticed by my theater instructor, who encouraged me to work on it. Excited about the idea, I started taking piano lessons and learning music theory, but sadly, I wasn’t thrilled about it. In parallel, I still kept going on with acting and singing, creating a balance between the two: I found joy in making music for plays and performing live on stage, where I could express my emotions and tell captivating stories. Although I loved math and had the possibility to pursue a stable career in that field, Despite my love for math and a possible stable career in that field, I still chose to study cinema and learn more about this industry.
A few years later, I tried my luck passing film castings. I went through numerous tryouts for one of them, giving it my all each time. It was a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest. By the time I had received the news that I got that role, I wasn’t expecting it anymore. But long hours of hard work paid off. Everything finally seemed to fall into place. This is how I joined the cast of “La Nuit du Verre d’Eau”, which happened to be one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had so far. Carlos Chahine, the filmmaker, is someone I deeply admire both as an actor and a director. He truly values the actors and prioritizes their time and effort, which I find incredibly inspiring. I’ll always cherish this experience. It was the beginning of a growing journey for my career. I learnt how to let go of my inhibitions and trust a film director. I connected with the public, listening to their interpretations of the movie and talking about the situation in Lebanon.
To me, the art that transcends time and generations is the one that is authentic and it is through that, that one genuinely expresses oneself. That’s why I’m drawn to artists who are humble and real. Their art leaves a lasting impression on me, and I aspire to bring that same passion to my own work. Fairuz and Ziad Rahbani inspire me deeply. Ziad’s fearless commitment to his artistic vision resonates with me as he refuses to conform to fleeting trends. And Fairuz’s remarkable talent combined with extraordinary humility is really something to look up to. Jacques Brel also never left me indifferent. All their values serve as guiding lights in my own artistic journey.
And when you least expect it, everything stands to reason.
After my movie, I was contacted by a casting director from The Voice France who discovered that I was singing too. When the time came for me to choose a song for the audition, I knew I wanted to sing in Arabic as well, to portray my blended character. So, I took a song that was well-known and added Arabic to it. It was essential for people to recognize the original song and then perceive the changes and additions I made. Some argued that singing in Arabic might not resonate well with the predominantly French audience, and while I cared about their opinions, I knew I had a rare opportunity to express myself on that stage. I couldn’t afford to miss such a chance to tell the audience who I am through my music.
Overall, it was a great experience: it was scary at first but it will remain a good memory and a helpful reminder for personal growth. It shaped the path for other types of self-discovery. As I navigated this unique adventure, I learned the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced approach to life. Constantly playing with emotions and having the freedom to do as I wish can be thrilling yet risky, occasionally leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed. However, I’m grateful for the trust I received and the revelation, after my experience with The Voice, that made me realize that I can write songs, which I find pretty cool. Though “write” may seem like a huge word, deep down, I sense a strong urge to express myself through this skill. I can’t wait to delve into this newfound passion and create something uniquely my own.
That’s what I wanted to express in my newly released song “Masafi”. I tried to portray that embracing challenges and stepping out of our comfort zones can be daunting, but it’s essential for personal growth and success. Life has a way of nudging us forward, sometimes even when we least expect it. That’s why I encourage anyone facing uncertainties and difficulties to stay true to themselves, wholeheartedly embrace their journey, and let their true self be their guide.
My heart has always been my compass, leading me to arts that I consider being far beyond mere hobbies. My singing talent was noticed by my theater instructor, who encouraged me to work on it. Excited about the idea, I started taking piano lessons and learning music theory, but sadly, I wasn’t thrilled about it. In parallel, I still kept going on with acting and singing, creating a balance between the two: I found joy in making music for plays and performing live on stage, where I could express my emotions and tell captivating stories. Although I loved math and had the possibility to pursue a stable career in that field, Despite my love for math and a possible stable career in that field, I still chose to study cinema and learn more about this industry.
A few years later, I tried my luck passing film castings. I went through numerous tryouts for one of them, giving it my all each time. It was a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest. By the time I had received the news that I got that role, I wasn’t expecting it anymore. But long hours of hard work paid off. Everything finally seemed to fall into place. This is how I joined the cast of “La Nuit du Verre d’Eau”, which happened to be one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had so far. Carlos Chahine, the filmmaker, is someone I deeply admire both as an actor and a director. He truly values the actors and prioritizes their time and effort, which I find incredibly inspiring. I’ll always cherish this experience. It was the beginning of a growing journey for my career. I learnt how to let go of my inhibitions and trust a film director. I connected with the public, listening to their interpretations of the movie and talking about the situation in Lebanon.
To me, the art that transcends time and generations is the one that is authentic and it is through that, that one genuinely expresses oneself. That’s why I’m drawn to artists who are humble and real. Their art leaves a lasting impression on me, and I aspire to bring that same passion to my own work. Fairuz and Ziad Rahbani inspire me deeply. Ziad’s fearless commitment to his artistic vision resonates with me as he refuses to conform to fleeting trends. And Fairuz’s remarkable talent combined with extraordinary humility is really something to look up to. Jacques Brel also never left me indifferent. All their values serve as guiding lights in my own artistic journey.
And when you least expect it, everything stands to reason.
After my movie, I was contacted by a casting director from The Voice France who discovered that I was singing too. When the time came for me to choose a song for the audition, I knew I wanted to sing in Arabic as well, to portray my blended character. So, I took a song that was well-known and added Arabic to it. It was essential for people to recognize the original song and then perceive the changes and additions I made. Some argued that singing in Arabic might not resonate well with the predominantly French audience, and while I cared about their opinions, I knew I had a rare opportunity to express myself on that stage. I couldn’t afford to miss such a chance to tell the audience who I am through my music.
Overall, it was a great experience: it was scary at first but it will remain a good memory and a helpful reminder for personal growth. It shaped the path for other types of self-discovery. As I navigated this unique adventure, I learned the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced approach to life. Constantly playing with emotions and having the freedom to do as I wish can be thrilling yet risky, occasionally leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed. However, I’m grateful for the trust I received and the revelation, after my experience with The Voice, that made me realize that I can write songs, which I find pretty cool. Though “write” may seem like a huge word, deep down, I sense a strong urge to express myself through this skill. I can’t wait to delve into this newfound passion and create something uniquely my own.
That’s what I wanted to express in my newly released song “Masafi”. I tried to portray that embracing challenges and stepping out of our comfort zones can be daunting, but it’s essential for personal growth and success. Life has a way of nudging us forward, sometimes even when we least expect it. That’s why I encourage anyone facing uncertainties and difficulties to stay true to themselves, wholeheartedly embrace their journey, and let their true self be their guide.
My heart has always been my compass, leading me to arts that I consider being far beyond mere hobbies. My singing talent was noticed by my theater instructor, who encouraged me to work on it. Excited about the idea, I started taking piano lessons and learning music theory, but sadly, I wasn’t thrilled about it. In parallel, I still kept going on with acting and singing, creating a balance between the two: I found joy in making music for plays and performing live on stage, where I could express my emotions and tell captivating stories. Although I loved math and had the possibility to pursue a stable career in that field, Despite my love for math and a possible stable career in that field, I still chose to study cinema and learn more about this industry.
A few years later, I tried my luck passing film castings. I went through numerous tryouts for one of them, giving it my all each time. It was a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest. By the time I had received the news that I got that role, I wasn’t expecting it anymore. But long hours of hard work paid off. Everything finally seemed to fall into place. This is how I joined the cast of “La Nuit du Verre d’Eau”, which happened to be one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had so far. Carlos Chahine, the filmmaker, is someone I deeply admire both as an actor and a director. He truly values the actors and prioritizes their time and effort, which I find incredibly inspiring. I’ll always cherish this experience. It was the beginning of a growing journey for my career. I learnt how to let go of my inhibitions and trust a film director. I connected with the public, listening to their interpretations of the movie and talking about the situation in Lebanon.
To me, the art that transcends time and generations is the one that is authentic and it is through that, that one genuinely expresses oneself. That’s why I’m drawn to artists who are humble and real. Their art leaves a lasting impression on me, and I aspire to bring that same passion to my own work. Fairuz and Ziad Rahbani inspire me deeply. Ziad’s fearless commitment to his artistic vision resonates with me as he refuses to conform to fleeting trends. And Fairuz’s remarkable talent combined with extraordinary humility is really something to look up to. Jacques Brel also never left me indifferent. All their values serve as guiding lights in my own artistic journey.
And when you least expect it, everything stands to reason.
After my movie, I was contacted by a casting director from The Voice France who discovered that I was singing too. When the time came for me to choose a song for the audition, I knew I wanted to sing in Arabic as well, to portray my blended character. So, I took a song that was well-known and added Arabic to it. It was essential for people to recognize the original song and then perceive the changes and additions I made. Some argued that singing in Arabic might not resonate well with the predominantly French audience, and while I cared about their opinions, I knew I had a rare opportunity to express myself on that stage. I couldn’t afford to miss such a chance to tell the audience who I am through my music.
Overall, it was a great experience: it was scary at first but it will remain a good memory and a helpful reminder for personal growth. It shaped the path for other types of self-discovery. As I navigated this unique adventure, I learned the importance of maintaining a healthy and balanced approach to life. Constantly playing with emotions and having the freedom to do as I wish can be thrilling yet risky, occasionally leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed. However, I’m grateful for the trust I received and the revelation, after my experience with The Voice, that made me realize that I can write songs, which I find pretty cool. Though “write” may seem like a huge word, deep down, I sense a strong urge to express myself through this skill. I can’t wait to delve into this newfound passion and create something uniquely my own.
That’s what I wanted to express in my newly released song “Masafi”. I tried to portray that embracing challenges and stepping out of our comfort zones can be daunting, but it’s essential for personal growth and success. Life has a way of nudging us forward, sometimes even when we least expect it. That’s why I encourage anyone facing uncertainties and difficulties to stay true to themselves, wholeheartedly embrace their journey, and let their true self be their guide.
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
