Arab Idol prepares for finale this weekend

Ziad Khoury from Lebanon was the latest contestant to be axed from Arab Idol ’s elimination semi-final on Saturday night. The Egyptian songstress Sherine was a guest on Friday’s episode, singing an array of songs and expressing her adoration for the Palestinian contestant Mohammed Assaf. “Is he a human being like the rest of us?” she joked, before declaring that “a voice like his only comes around every 50 years”. The Emirati judge Ahlam stole the show in a glittering ensemble on Saturday’s results episode as she performed her greatest hits, singing alongside the show’s contestants and her fellow judges. She also performed with the former contestants Perwaz Hussain and Salma Rashid, who were eliminated last week. The show’s contestants impressed the judges, with the exception of the Syrian contestant Farah Youssef. Despite being praised by all the other judges, the 23-year-old singer’s performance on Friday was criticised by the outspoken Ahlam, who didn’t like the song choice and said that it was not Youssef’s best effort. Youssef, Assaf and the Egyptian Ahmad Jamal are the three remaining contestants. The Arab Idol winner will be chosen after a double elimination this weekend. • For more on Arab Idol , check out Arts&Life tomorrow for our exclusive interview with Ahlam * Reem Buhazza Follow us Follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.

Arab Idol prepares for finale this weekend

Farah Youssef, Mohammed Assaf and Ahmad Jamal are the three remaining contestants. The Arab Idol winner will be chosen after a double elimination this weekend.