Pop icon Najwa Karam is embracing reinvention and vitality — welcome to her best era yet.
Hers is a name that needs no introduction. Transcending borders and age groups, her legendary Mawwal-skilled vocals have captured hearts with melodies and ballads for decades, morphing into what seems like one continuous song speaking of love and passion. Hear it, and you’ll know immediately that this is Najwa Karam: the award-winning, multi-platinum artist synonymous with Lebanese music. Over nearly 35 years, she has blended traditional folklore with contemporary pop, releasing songs that have shaped pop culture and earned her recognition as one of the region’s brightest stars. “The biggest mistake a human can make is to not dream, because dreams are what pave the road to the right destinations,” the star shares with a warm smile. “People are the result of their dreams. When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming famous. I do believe strongly that what you believe is what you become, with the right amount of determination.” And right now, she’s determined to make this chapter of her career the brightest and most beautiful of all.
Dress, Jean-Louis Sabaji; gloves; Georges Chakra. Photo: Mazen Abusrour
With more than 20 albums and numerous international awards under her belt, the singer is as eager as ever to continue to make art. Aside from returning to the TV show Arabs Got Talent for its new season after a five-year hiatus, Karam is busy choosing new songs and planning performances. “I am working on a number of concerts across the GCC and especially in Dubai and the UAE. I will also have a tour in Europe, and we are currently considering a tour in the US,” she says. “We are gearing up for a new tour across the Arab world, featuring archival songs as well as a new repertoire to satisfy a wide range of audiences. I am also planning to release new music as soon as possible.”
Dress, Rami Kadi; gloves, Georges Chakra. Photo: Mazen Abusrour
At the same time, Karam has set in motion a style revolution, and she stepped onto the Vogue Arabia set with the intention to take risks. Adopting a playful yet hands-on approach to the process, there was no outfit or pose she wouldn’t try; no character she couldn’t embody in front of the lens. While society often makes women feel invisible as they age, the 58-year-old confidently faced the camera with a look-at-me attitude, whether in a glittering red dress by Jean-Louis Sabaji layered with an extravagant boa or wrapped in swathes of gold fabric by Georges Chakra. Veering away from all that is expected, the star declared, without the need for too many words, that she was on the verge of new sartorial territory, defined by boldness and openness. And that attitude has persisted since the shoot, as she continues to serve eye-catching looks on Instagram, like the apple-green she donned in Riyadh last month with a matching pair of heels and a skyblue shirt.
Dress, Chenpeng. Photo: Mazen Abusrour
Even as her aesthetic evolves, Karam has long been admired for how she dresses. Her outfits are not based on trends, but rather dictated by her heart, making each ensemble an honest depiction of who she is as a creative and as a person. “The right look must make you feel comfortable and satisfied to be able to take the first step from the changing room and make your way out,” she says. She considers the designers she works with in Lebanon as family and appreciates collaborating with those who understand her vision and encourage her to express herself, even when her choices attract headlines. Decades into life under the spotlight, Karam is unfazed by stereotypes and unsolicited opinions, especially related to her appearance. “I love the mirror; I have loved it across all the different stages of my life. When I look at old pictures and compare them to today’s, I love myself even more now,” she shares. “More importantly, every night before I go to sleep, I always look on the inside to see myself as a human that was created to be beautiful, pure, and moral. A decent and bright addition to society.”
Karam in Georges Chakra at the Mawazine Festival in Morocco this year
Karam’s career has been marked by significant milestones. From winning first place at the TV singing competition Layali Lubnan (Lebanese Nights) to releasing her debut studio album, Ya Habayeb, in 1989, her rise to fame has been both gradual and purposeful. The pan-Arab audience first became familiar with her name in the early 1990s, thanks to the success of her album Naghmet Hob, which paved the way towards her first tour and major acclaim. Her unique interpretation of the traditional melodies of her home country helped cement her place on the regional music map, and she has sold more than 60 million records throughout her career. In 2023, the singer was recognized in Forbes 50 Over 50: Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “I like to think of my music as a continuation of Lebanese Mawwal and folkloric music, which was established before me by icons such as Sabah and Wadih El Safi,” she shares. “I chose their route, and I added my own aesthetic, sound, and interpretation so I would not fall into the trap of becoming a copy of those before me. I tried to be Najwa, who specializes in singing this unique Lebanese genre. Today, I consider this to be a big part of my achievements as a singer.”
Najwa Karam’s debut studio album Ya Habayeb
The singer receives the Honorary Entertainment Makers Award at the Joy Awards ceremony in Saudi Arabia in 2019
Having studied under acclaimed names such as Zaki Nassef and Fouad Awad, Karam built on this foundation while also letting her passion fuel her creativity, leading to her signature sound that blends traditional melodies with contemporary styles. Her formula remains consistent, even as her music evolves. For decades, she has delivered timeless hits to her fans, including “Habibi Min” (2020), “Maloun Abu Eleshq” (2019), “Mafi Noum” (2011), “Khallini Shoufak” (2009), “Chou Hal Hala” (2005), “Aaskah” (2001), “Rouh Rohi” (1999), and “Maghroumeh” (1998). Karam attributes her longevity to her ability to embrace reinvention and meet change with open arms, while remaining “loyal to the same sounds” and not getting stuck in a single genre. “Looking at a lot of the legends that came before us, I can see that their more recent work managed to reach a much younger audience and have an everlasting influence. Learning from them, I have always been keen to understand the new generations; to know what they like, considering a multitude of languages, the new technology, and social media. All while holding on to the type of music I started with,” she explains.
Dress, Nicolas Jebran. Photo: Mazen Abusrour
The superstar dedicates time each day to discovering and selecting new projects. Between spending time with her mother, searching for the next song that speaks to her, and staying active, her average day is far from the glitz and the glamour one might expect. However, she is not oblivious to the value of the profile she has built over the years. “Sometimes people are known for all the wrong reasons, but for your name to be known for good reasons and to be associated with positive things that translate into love and appreciation – that is the true fame an artist should aim for,” she says. “Only this kind of fame can serve as a gateway for delivering a purposeful message over time; it’s not about one or two odd productions, but rather maintaining a cohesive and positive presence.” While it may appear that the pop icon is entirely comfortable with her celebrity status, she acknowledges that her journey has not always been smooth, especially in the beginning. “It did keep me from enjoying many things. I remember my late father always telling me, ‘Najwa, if you choose to follow this path, it will restrain you from many things you love. Your words, your walk, and your posture will all need to be strategic and calculated,’” she recalls, noting that this pressure “honed my personality as an active member of society.”
Dress, Nicolas Jebran. Photo: Mazen Abusrour
Looking ahead, Karam aims to maintain her presence on the global stage while staying true to her essence. She is ready to showcase her style reinvention, empowered by her enjoyment of this rebirth and hoping to inspire others. When asked what advice she would give to women, Karam smiles and shares her thoughts on the fleeting nature of time: “Young women never fully recognize how quickly the years can go by. When I think back, I do not think I was young just the other day, I think I was a young girl just 30 minutes ago.” Instead of fearing change, the performer urges a sense of honesty and self-acceptance at every stage of life. The topic of the mirror comes up again as Karam highlights the need to resist the pursuit of a perfect reflection – because there simply is no such thing. “There is no need for plastic surgery at a young age without a real necessity,” she asserts. “However, if something truly requires surgical intervention for symmetry and self-acceptance, then change can be possible.” While she refrains from discussing her own views on aesthetic procedures, she focuses on one of the many truths she has learned throughout her remarkable career: that not becoming consumed by appearance is key to navigating life gracefully, even with the eyes of the world watching.
Corset, Misho; necklace, Georges Chakra. Photo: Mazen Abusrour
Photo: Mazen Abusrour
Originally published in the December 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia
Style: Amine Jreissati
Hair: Shenem Fuat
Makeup: Jeizel Bautista
Set design: Yehia Bedeir
Creative producer: Beya Bou-Harb
Light technician: Ahmad Bohlaigah
Light assistant: Feda’a Tahtah
Style assistant: Sahar Ghoubar
Special thanks: Charlotte Tilbury
