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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 11 auguSt 2018
Lebanese diva breaks taboo with clip announcing cancer fight

By ZEINA KARAM leased on Tuesday.
BEIRUT (AP) — It was an "I do my radiotherapy ses-
unusual way to reveal a sion, I go to the studio, I
struggle against cancer, finish another session, I rest
particularly in a part of the for two hours and go to the
world where the illness is still studio again," Elissa says in
largely considered a pri- the video clip, describing
vate matter and taboo. how she kept up her work
But a video clip released during her treatment.
on Twitter is how Lebanese The song has a feel-good
singer Elissa chose to share catchy tune with a refrain
the news with her fans and that says: "Yalla, yalla yalla
millions of followers on so- (come on!), let's sing and
cial media. be happy, let's make up
"You are the reason I am for time lost, come on let's
strong and healthy ... you live," alternating between
are my strength. And this scenes at a hospital and
story is a thank you," she Elissa singing and dancing
posted, along with the on stage.
song uploaded on You- Fans across the Arab world
Tube entitled: "For all those posted supportive mes-
who love me." In this July 13, 2012, photo, Lebanese diva Elissa, whose real name is Elissar Khoury, the best sages, describing her as a
The video clip begins with a known highest-selling female artists in the Arab world, kisses her fans, in Beirut, Lebanon. super hero and a model
woman inside an MRI ma- Associated Press of strength. They included
chine and someone say- the Lebanese foreign minis-
ing 'It's an early stage of support. The video clip has tion continue to refer to pop songs delivered in the ter who tweeted that Elissa
breast cancer,' and goes garnered more than seven cancer as "that disease," Lebanese or Egyptian dia- should be an inspiration for
on to show the 45-year-old million views from fans and without mentioning it by lect. all women with cancer not
singer in various situations supporters since it was post- name. She was diagnosed with the to give up.
at a hospital, with doctors ed on Tuesday. Elissa declined a request illness in December 2017 Elissa, who is scheduled to
and surrounded by friends. The clip and outpouring of for comment through her but kept it secret, even af- perform in Beirut on Friday
It features a voiceover of support were all the more agent, who said the singer ter she collapsed on stage night, ended the video with
Elissa speaking about her striking because cancer was not giving interviews. during a live performance the words: "I've recovered.
battle. in most of the Arab world, Elissa, whose real name is in Dubai in February this I've beaten the illness, and
The response was over- and particularly breast Elissar Khoury, is among the year. She later tweeted I won. ... Early detection of
whelming from fans, ce- cancer among women, is best known and highest- to her fans that she was breast cancer can save
lebrities and politicians rarely discussed in public, selling female artists in the healthy, adding: "Nothing your life. Don't ignore it,
across the Arab world and cancer patients often Arab world and received serious don't worry!" face it. ... Do it not only for
who posted, tweeted and struggle in solitude. Some several music awards in her The collapse is featured in yourself, but for your loved
retweeted messages of among the older genera- career, mostly for Arabic the seven-minute video re- ones."q

Alyssa Milano, Debby Ryan talk 'Insatiable' and fat shaming

By BROOKE LEFFERTS "And confirmed how impor- a confrontation that forces
Associated Press tant it was for us to ..." her to have her jaw wired
NEW YORK (AP) — After the "Do it," Milano said, finishing shut. Consequently, she
trailer was released for the the thought. loses weight. Ryan wore
new Netflix series "Insatia- Ultimately, Milano said, the prosthetics for the role and
ble," some on social media series is a classic tale of learned something about
voiced concern: Was the growing up. the experience firsthand.
dark comedy fat shaming? "I think it is a coming-of-age "As a woman, when peo-
The show, which drops Fri- story not only for Debby's ple, kids who are playing
day, follows the return to character Patty, but all of the bullies, or crew mem-
high school of a girl named the characters in the show," bers would see me walking
Patty, who loses a lot of said Milano, who plays a around in prosthetics they
weight after years of bully- driven, conniving house- would laugh and be like
ing. Having lost the weight, wife with a heart. "And I 'that's crazy,'" she said.
she's out for revenge. think it is a satirical look at Actress Alyssa Milano participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to "The rage of being treat-
Debby Ryan and co-star what happens at the point discuss the new Netflix original series "Insatiable" at AOL Studios ed so differently when the
Alyssa Milano agreed that in life when you have ac- on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in New York. same person is in there,"
while the subject matter cepted your own truth and Associated Press Ryan added. "That was so
was difficult, "Insatiable" your truth has empowered scary because I thought,
serves a purpose in stirring you to then move past it entertainment should be a "Jessie," said fat shaming 'Well am I thin enough to
conversation. Twitter's re- and what you have to do conversation starter." As the is "one of the last unspo- play the thin version of her?
sponse is evidence of that. to move past it." show progresses, the Twit- ken prejudices that people Are we now making a defi-
"It was hurtful that people As for the social media con- terverse "will have more to just blatantly do all of the nition of what is officially
thought that we were do- troversy, Milano, 45, said probably shame us about time and almost don't get considered, how much
ing it just as a joke," Ryan, she's "of the school that it is and be upset about." slapped on the wrist for it." weight is considered fat
24, told The Associated much better to talk about Ryan, a former child star on Her character is taunted and how much weight is
Press in a recent interview. these things and at its best, the Disney Channel series as "Fatty" Patty, leading to considered thin?”q