After a six-year break, Lebanon’s popular talent show Star Academy is returning to screens for its 12th season.
However, for the first time ever since its inception, it will not be filmed in Lebanon but in Saudi Arabia, as announced by journalist Elie Merheb on Twitter.
The show, which first aired in 2003, has been a mainstay in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, featuring aspiring actors and singers from across the region.
Throughout the competition, participants engage in specialized acting and diction exercises while receiving daily technical skill development training from experts.
The new season of Star Academy will be produced by Roula Saad, and casting is expected to begin in February 2023.
Viewers were able to tune into “The Academy” in a 24/7 reality show of the contestants. No information has been provided on whether this will take place this season as well.
This marks a significant change for the show, which has been filmed in Lebanon since its inception. It will be interesting to see how this shift to Saudi Arabia affects the dynamic and atmosphere of the competition. There is already backlash among the Lebanese people.
