Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi announced that she will not return to her former production company ‘Rotana,’ and that she will instead finance the production of her upcoming album. 

The singer explained that she wants to try something new away from the guidelines of production companies.

Haifa added that her current situation, with her rising popularity, does not allow for her music to be the property of one single company that forces exclusivity. She stated that she intends on distributing her music to a variety of music channels.

Although, the release of Haifa’s upcoming album will be postponed due to her first leading role in a major motion picture.

Lebanese director Randa Alshihal revealed that Haifa plays the role of a fight club owner who becomes involved with a French boxer named Ibrahim Saloum, of Arab origin. She gets drawn into a scheme crafted by the boxer and his friends to kidnap three of Ibrahim’s rivals.

The film, produced by Tunisian Tareq Bin Amar features a number of musical and dance performances. The director is currently negotiating with American star Harvey Kettle to possibly join the cast.

Filming of the scenes is scheduled to begin in April on location in Tunisia.

Haifa recently filmed the new music video for the song ‘Rajab’ with director Hadi Al Bajouri. In the clip Haifa plays the role of a gypsy who ends up at a coffee house near the sea packed with fishermen where she meets a man named ‘Rajab.’  She seeks Rajab’s assistance to win the love of his handsome friend.

In front of the cameras of the Moroccan media, blood samples from Haifa were taken to test for HIV. The test was given by the African Organization to fight Aids in the city of Rabat.

Haifa was tested in front of the public to create awareness of the seriousness of the disease and how people must be tested.

Haifa’s business manager revealed that Haifa was not banned from performing in Morocco; the singer was given permission to enter and is currently there.

It was rumored that Moroccan officials rejected a request by Haifa to hold a charity concert for HIV research.

© 2006 Al Bawaba