Lebanese Star Elissa Speaks Candidly About Her Battle With Cancer
Ahead of her upcoming concert at Global Village, the songstress spoke up about her breast cancer diagnosis
Lebanese songstress Elissa is set to return to the Global Village to perform on 2 February as part of their weekly concert series. This isn’t her first time performing on this same stage; last February, she collapsed in the middle of her show, shortly afterwards dropping a music video for her song “Ila Kol Elli Bihebbouni” which revealed that she’s spent the last year fighting a breast cancer diagnosis.
Ahead of her upcoming show, the Lebanese star spoke at the 2019 Dubai Health Forum last week to get real about her ongoing battle with breast cancer.
At the events, hosted by the Dubai Health Authority, she discussed her diagnosis and her decision to bear the burden herself for as long as possible before sharing it with family and friends. She revealed that she did not allow it to negatively impact her career or, to the dismay of her doctors, let it stop her working for a single day. She spoke about turning her ordeal into a means of support and empowerment of other women, as well as using it to emphasise and promote the importance of early detection and getting tested.
She told her rapt listeners, “Positivity is only way to deal with something like cancer. My father, who had stomach cancer, was given only six months to live. However, with the love and support of family, he lived for seven years.”
Her words were beyond inspiring and uplifting, and speak to what a truly strong and hopeful role model she is.
The star is no stranger to performing in Dubai, having sung at venues such as Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, The Ritz-Carlton and Grand Hyatt. She has done stints as a judge on MBC’s The X Factor and The Voice. She’s also acquired an impressive collection of accolades over the years, including World Music Awards, Murex d’Or Awards, and a Big Apple Music Award.
We look forward to seeing Elissa back in Dubai, stronger than ever, to deliver what will certainly be a powerful performance.
Press play to go behind the scenes of Elissa’s cover shoot for Harper’s BAZAAR Arabia.