"Star of Saudi Arabia" .. Critics criticize tradition and mixing in the program "trivial"

Saudi Arabia's "Star of Saudi Arabia" talent discovery program has sparked controversy across the kingdom. Many people criticized the program for its manifestations of mixing between young men and women, and its imitation of Western programs without new innovation.

Social networking sites - topped by Twitter - have been criticized, with many tweets saying the program is "trivial."

"Saudi contestants are Saudis and Saudis are Saudis," he said, in a clear reference to the change in Saudi Arabia's media policy, which may reflect social trends that demand societal change and social openness, especially as it is a mixed program with the participation of both sexes.

Criticize imitation!
The tweets also criticized the fact that the band and the choir were outside Saudi Arabia and considered it a sign of "mismanagement and misunderstanding of art and music."

Other tweets also criticized the judging panel, which includes the musician Mamdouh Saif, the artist Ebadi al-Jawhar, and the artist Waad, who appeared to be imitating an Arab artist in similar programs.

Outside the competition
The program also witnessed an unpleasant surprise, the departure of one of the participants in the second episode of the program, which is shared Afrah Jendu, which presented the song "Day Lake and the day you" for the trip "memory" performance did not win the satisfaction of the jury, to be happy at the end of the ring outside the competition, The first departures of the program "Najm Saudi Arabia".

11 participants continue to present themselves to realize their dream, becoming one of the stars of the next Saudi song. The winner of the title will receive a prize of half a million Saudi riyals, in addition to a video production contract with a productive company.

According to social networking sites, the program "Najm Saudi Arabia" did not receive the expected interaction.

One of the contestants fell unconscious after losing the program, Imad Ibrahim, who later showed a video to reassure his fans about his health after being faint on the air immediately after announcing his exit from the competition.

Fainting on stage
The social media was a video clip of the program's scenes, showing the first moments of the young Saudi singer's resignation after he lost consciousness on stage as he was trying to regain his mental and cognitive state again.

Some media outlets went on to say that "the claim (fainting) was intended to attract attention and achieve fame after the announcement of the exit of the contestant from the competition for the title of talent program."

Unisex program
"Najm Saudi Arabia" is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and offers opportunities for non-professional singers of both sexes aged 15 and older to become "stars of art and singing", according to the screen's website.

The program began last summer in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Abha and Tabuk. A major production company implemented the program in its first season, which is the largest amateur program in Saudi Arabia under the artistic and cultural openness of the country.

It is noteworthy that the programs of discovering talent in the Arab world has achieved widespread and a great success.

"Saudi Star" came as part of a television programming session in the framework of the new identity launched by the "screen" it has been broadcasting in the past. The channel offers viewers a "performance test phase" for participants in the qualifiers.