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Dubai Bling (Tv Series)

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Dubai Bling is an Arab reality television show focusing on the trials and tribulations of Dubai’s most affluent millionaires.[1] Contrary to its title, the cast of Dubai Bling is not explicitly Emirati, rather, it's diverse. The television series features many different nationalities in Dubai, such as Indian's, Iraqi's, and Lebanese.[2] The reality show first aired on October 27, 2022, on the subscription-based platform Netflix.[1]

The reality show gained major success after premiering, receiving its top 10 spot on Netflix’s website only a week after its release to the public.[3] The show maintained its popularity after many global Magazine and Newspaper outlets starting discovered it, such as “The Washington Post” and “Women’s Health”.[4][5] Its widespread popularity captured the attention of many international fans, causing the show to receive controversial opinions about whether it is inertly scripted or not.[5] As The Washington Post describes, “the topic of authenticity lies at the heart of Dubai Bling,".[5] In response, cast member Safa Siddiqui says, “You can’t fake this baby, you can’t.” on co-star Kris Fade’s Radio Show “Virgin Radio DXB”.[6]

As of February 10th, 2023, Dubai Bling has been renewed for its second season. The reality show's second season will also feature a newly added cast member, Mona Kattan.[7][8]


Dubai Bling
 
GenreReality show
Created byMazen Laham, Marcel Dufour
Developed byNetflix, Different Productions
Written byPamela Tannoury, Joy Tohme
Story byRoger Bou Jaoude, Roula Sidnawi, Stephanie Smayra, Ghenwa Kaedbey
StarringEbraheem Al Samadi, Loujain Adada, Kris Fade, Brianna Fade, DJ Bliss, Diva Dee, Farhana Bodi, Zeina Khoury, Lojain Omran, Safa Siddiqui.
Country of originDubai
Original languagesEnglish and Arabic
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producersLama Samad, Marcel Dufour
ProducerDifferent productions 
Production locationUnited Arab Emirates
CinematographySamir Mezher
EditorsWassim Saber, Jason Zamora, Rita Armaleh, Naim Saber, Mirna Chaibane
Original release
ReleaseOctober 27, 2022

Premise

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Dubai Bling represents the modern female Arab millionaires and how they are free of all the ties that bind women in traditional societies and can do whatever she pleases.

Dubai bling follows the stories of ten self-made millionaires in Dubai. “Step off the private jet and into a high-flying social circle in Dubai, where lavish parties, stunning skylines, and jaw-dropping fashion are the norm,” says Netflix when describing the premise of Dubai Bling.[9]

Cast

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The reality show Dubai Bling revolves around the lives of 10 main cast members.[2] Ebraheem Al Samadi (AKA "The Blooming Man") is a Kuwaiti-American entrepreneur and millionaire famously known for his flower company “Forever Rose”.[10] Al Samadi went on to open “Forever Rose Café”[10] which is also featured in episodes of Dubai Bling. Al Samadi also owns the family business “Al Samadi Group”, which owns multiple restaurants and businesses around Dubai such as “The Chickery”, “Big Smoke Burger” and “Food Hall”.[11]

Loujain Omran is a Saudi television presenter and celebrity. Omran has fulfilled many roles on Arab television shows and talk shows, most notably “Good Morning Arabs!” and “Qata’ef”.[12] Although Omran is an Arab media personality, she is mindful of keeping her and her children’s personal lives private, as Arab News states “Lojain is very keen on hiding their pictures from social media platforms”.[13] Moreover, her success is highlighted in Forbes Middle East; when they included Omran in their “Top 100 Arab Celebrities” in 2017 among other Arab celebrities such as Nancy Ajram and Adel Emam[14].

Kris Fade stars in Dubai Bling alongside his second wife Brianna Fade.[2] Kris Fade is a Lebanese-Australian radio host and influencer most known for his show on Virgin Radio DXB called “The Kris Fade Show”.[2] Moreover, Kris and Brianna both handle their healthy snack business named “Fade Fit”, which was founded in 2018.[15]

DJ Bliss and Diva Dee (AKA Marwan Al Awadhi and Danya Mohammed) are also a part of the star-studded cast.[2] The married couple are among the only Emiratis featured within the cast of Dubai Bling.[2] DJ Bliss is a famous DJ known to be involved in musical projects with many international artists such as Nicki Minaj and Drake.[16] Bliss got his first major break when receiving the opportunity to host the talk show “Thats Entertainment” on the well-known Arab TV channel “Dubai One” in 2011.[16] His wife, Danya Mohammed is known to be an influencer and content creator.[17] The influencer is known for her lifestyle, travel and beauty vlogs that she posts on the video sharing platform YouTube.[17]

Loujain Adda (AKA “LJ”) is a Lebanese socialite, model and influencer.[2] Originally born in the state of California, Adda moved on to a career in TV in her early years when she moved back to Lebanon.[18] Adda hosted a TV program called “Energy Spin Magazine” for the popular channel, MTV Lebanon.[18] On Dubai Bling, Adda’s storyline focuses on her previous marriage to Saudi billionaire Walid Juffali and with her relationship to her mother.[18] Adda is said to be the 2nd wealthiest cast member after Ebraheem Al Samadi, with a total net worth of $4 million.[18]

Zeina Khoury is a Lebanese born Real Estate Agent and CEO.[2] Zeina Khoury is married to Hanna Azzi who is also featured on the show periodically. Netflix describes Khoury as “driven by ambitions for greatness”,[19] which is clear considering Khoury's career achievements. Khoury is known for her involvement in the development of the Palazzo Versace Hotel which launched in 2016,[20][2] as well as being the CEO of luxury Real Estate company High Mark Real Estate, which was founded in 2010[21][22] and CEO of fashion brand “I Am The Company” (launched February 7, 2023) nicknamed after her coined catchphrase on Dubai Bling.[23]

Farhana Bodi is Indian born lifestyle and fashion content creator based in Dubai.[2] Bodi began breaking into the Instagram influencer scene when she started using the platform to promote her work as a MUA at 19.[24] Her efforts to become popular on Instagram paid off, Bodi currently owns 2.1 million followers as well as 61K on her fashion blog account “I Woman Of The World”.[25][26] Due to Bodi’s growing popularity in the fashion industry, she has worked with several major fashion houses such as Prada, Hermès and Dior.[27] Bodi has also founded a subscription-based website named “Farhana Bodi Academy”, where Bodi offers “to teach you how to grow your brand and business through social media” as she once did herself.[27] 

Safa Siddiqui stars alongside her husband Fahad Siddiqui on Dubai Bling.[2] Safa Siddiqui is an Iraqi-born British influencer who is known for her fashion brand “Safa Siddiqui”, which was founded shortly after the release of Dubai Bling on the 19th of November 2022.[28][29] Siddiqui has always expressed her love for fashion, in an interview with Cosmopolitan Middle East she states, “I have always loved fashion and wanted to design clothes for as long as I can remember.[30]”. Siddiqui is known on the show for being affluent, however Siddiqui states that “You really don’t need endless amounts of money to look good”, preaching to her fans and followers that money isn't everything.[30]

Cast Overview

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Season Overview
Name Season 1
Ebraheem Al Samadi
Khadeeja Dood
Loujain Adada
Brianna Fade
Diva Dee
Farhana Bodi
Zeina Khoury
Hanna Azzi
Basel Omran
Mazen Omran
Safa Siddiqui
Fahad Siddiqui
Fadie Musallet

Production

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The reality TV show Dubai Bling was fully filmed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Primary filming for the first season of the reality series began in early 2022.[31]

Most of the crucial segments for Dubai Bling were shot in and around the Emirate of Dubai, The United Arab Emirates' most populated Emirate. According to reports, the reality series' production team travels around the area, particularly to Dubai, to capture different scenarios against suitable places. Because the cast features Kuwaiti businessman Ebraheem Al Samadi, the owner of Forever Rose Cafè, several significant scenes for the program are shot within and surrounding the cafe, which is located at M06-03, Boxpark - 485 Al Wasl Road in Dubai.[31]

Furthermore, outdoor photographs are taken alongside structures such as The Burj Khalifa at 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai. Dubai Bling's actors and crew filmed additional scenes in one of Dubai's desert locations in February 2022.[31]

Although Dubai Bling premiered on Netflix on October 27, 2022, the show would have been filmed months in advance Based on the events shown in the Dubai Bling episodes, such as Kris and Brianna Fade's wedding, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Farhana Bodi's son Aydin's birthday in March, Reality Titbit might infer that filming took place between February and March 2022.[32]

Dubai Bling Season 1 - Locations Filmed
Episode Locations Filmed
1 Versace Hotel, Fahad and Safa’s Residence, Lojain Omran’s Estate, Atlantis The Palm, Downtown Dubai, Forever Rose Café, BVLGARI The Dubai Mall.
2 Lojain Omran’s Estate, Raffles The Palm Dubai, LJ’s House, Fahad and Safa’s Residence, Unnamed Hotel Spa, Unnamed Gym, Unnamed Café, and Restaurant
3 Unnamed Club, GNC Therapy Clinic, OLDTIMER Motorcycle Store, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve,  Fahad and Safa’s Residence,  Jumeirah,  Opa Greek Restaurant, Dubai Eye, Nike at JLT basketball court, Forever Rose Café.
4 Virgin Radio Office, Palm West beach, Lojain Omran’s Estate, Jasmine Fabric, Kris Fade’s House, Dj Bliss Studio, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, JBR playground, Armani Hotel, Dubai Downtown, Forever Rose Café, Home of Wellness.
5 Hanna and Zeina’s Residence, Lojain Omran’s Estate, The ELS Club – Dubai Sport City, Fahad and Safa’s Residence, Unnamed Hotel, Unnamed Tailor, Unnamed Clinic, Uptown Midriff Café, Unnamed Restaurant, High Mark Real Estate Office.
6 High Mark Real Estate Office, Dj Bliss Studio, Safa’s New Apartment, Madame Tussauds Dubai, Unnamed Horse Riding Academy, Lojain Omran’s Estate, Barbar Snack, GNC Therapy Clinic, Unnamed Studio, LJ’s House, Dubai Marina.
7 Dubai Marina, Atlantis The Palm, Lojain Omran’s Estate, Versace Hotel, Kris Fade’s Workplace, Zeina’s Construction Site, Kris Fade’s House, Al Maktoum International Airport, Bahrain International Airport, Versace Dubai, Fahad and Safa’s Residence, Versace Hotel Ballroom.   
8 Versace Hotel Ballroom, Ebraheem’s Café’s Central Kitchen, BDP, Unnamed Real Estate Villa in The Palm, Unnamed Restaurant, Palm Garden, The Ritz-Carlton Garden, Fahad and Safa’s Residence.

Series overview

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Dubai Bling Season 1
Episode Episode name Originally aired
1 Habibi, welcome to Dubai 27 October 2022
2 Rumor has it 27 October 2022
3 Closed Circle 27 October 2022
4 Love season 27 October 2022
5 Ticking Time Bomb 27 October 2022
6 Sail away 27 October 2022
7 Too Late ? 27 October 2022
8 Hitched 27 October 2022

Show reception and Viewership

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Dubai Bling rose to popularity immediately after its release on Netflix, securing its spot promptly on its top 10 list.[5] Within a week, Dubai Bling was recognized as the 3rd most watched non-English show on Netflix MENA and shortly afterwards climbing up the ranking until it became the most watched show in over 9 Arab countries.[5] Moreover, the show secured international appeal which is rare when it comes to Arab TV shows. In other non-Arab countries most watched list on Netflix, it ranked 1st in Sri Lanka between the 31 October until the 4 November 2022, 4th in Australia on November 2, 2022, and 5th in Ireland between the 29 October until the 1st of November, 2022.[33] When it comes to the total hours viewed on Netflix in season 1 of Dubai Bling, it hits it’s peak on the 31 October 2022 when it reached a total of 20,790,000 hours streamed in one day.[34]

 
Hours watched - Dubai Bling [34]

Since Dubai Bling has obtained global reach, the show has received many mixed reviews since its debut. Many compare the show to one of the first modern reality shows held within Dubai,The Real Housewives Of Dubai; which was held under major critical scrutiny for its lack of representation of Emiratis and their values.[35] As Farhana Bodi expresses, “I expected the show to be successful but did not expect this global reach, which was very thrilling and overwhelming altogether,”.[36]

“"The first episodes of Dubai Bling were hella scripted, but they finally get into their actual characters in the end. The drama felt so real,"

"There's no way anything is scripted in Dubai Bling. I know people like this...it's a Dubai drama thing"

―Dubai Bling viewers, Twitter

Many critics argue the authenticity of the show, claiming that most of the episodes are entirely scripted.[37] Viewers argued that some of the iconic fight scenes that occurred during the season, such as the dispute between Al Samadi and Khoury during the fifth episode alluded to its inherent inauthenticity. In an interview called “The Time When Dubai Bling Cast Joined The Kris Fade Show” on Virgin Radio DXB, Khoury responded to the allegations stating that “If it was scripted, I would have found a better line than, ‘I am the company,'".[38]

On the other hand, many fans praised the show for its inclusion of the Arabic language,

its focus to tackle social and cultural issues prevalent in Dubai and its incredibly entertaining drama;[5] which RHOD failed to deliver.[35] As one fan states one Twitter, “Dubai Bling is THAT girl … RHOD is hella dramatic and super westernized but there’s so much culture and some sort of “depth” to Dubai Bling … I also really appreciate that they speak Arabic 90% of the time” and another “It’s giving everything that Real Housewives of Dubai failed to give”.[35]

“Nothing about this show was scripted, the majority of us are neither actors nor performers, we’re CEOs and business owners who know each other and interact outs"

―Safa Siddiqui, Arab News
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Dubai bling is a part of the “Bling” category of reality shows on Netflix. Such as "Bling Empire" and Bling Empire: New York. Bling empire was released on Netflix was on January 15, 2021, which was before the release of Dubai Bling.[39] The spin-off made of "Bling Empire" called "Bling empire: New York" was released after Dubai Bling on the 23rd of January, 2023.[40] Bling Empire follows the lives of rich and materialistic East and Southeast Asian Americans, who are socialites living in Los Angeles.[41] As for "Bling Empire: New York", we get to meet a new cast of rich, smart, and amusing Asian Americans from New York City, where the quality of real estate is judged by address, not acreage. Conversations are unscripted and uncoded, and the competition for love, money, and power is intense.[42]

Furthermore, The Real Housewives of Dubai is said to be tied to Dubai bling, despite the fact that RHOD is a Bravo production and Dubai bling is a Netflix production. Because the program was called The Real Housewives of Dubai and actual housewives in Dubai are important to Emirati culture, The Real Housewives of Dubai was not well accepted. In comparison, The Real Housewives of Dubai's successor, Dubai Bling, was well-received being based in Dubai. The problem with The Real Housewives of Dubai isn't that it's problematic, whitewashed, or tone-deaf—at least not as much as previous Housewives segments. The new reality show's problem is that it is terribly, mind-numbingly boring.[43]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Netflix Announces Dubai Bling, the Latest Reality Show on the Arabic Content Slate". About Netflix. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Who is the richest 'Dubai Bling' cast member and why are they so popular?". Lifestyle Asia India. 2022-10-31. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  3. ^ "Dubai Bling: Fadie Musallet on gaining popularity outside Dubai after the success of Netflix show". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  4. ^ "This 'Dubai Bling' Star Is Literally Nicknamed The 'Queen Of Versace'". Women's Health. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "The runaway success of 'Dubai Bling' in the Middle East and beyond". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  6. ^ "Dubai Bling star Safa says 'you can't fake this' as scripted rumors circulate". Reality Titbit. 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  7. ^ Klewe, Ameile (February 10, 2023). "Netflix Confirms Dubai Bling Season 2". Harpers Bazaar Arabia. Retrieved February 12, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Ghai, Anahita (February 10, 2023). "Mona Kattan Elamin Will Be On Dubai Bling Season 2 And Bazaar Arabia Has All The Details | Exclusive". Harpers Bazzar Arabia. Retrieved February 12, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Ahmed, Z. (2022, October 25). Netflix's new reality show 'Dubai bling' to start from October 27. Gulf Business. Retrieved February 14, 2023, from https://gulfbusiness.com/netflixs-new-reality-show-dubai-bling-to-start-from-october-27/
  10. ^ a b Izzo, Danielle Valente last updated Contributions from Christina (2022-11-15). "Who is Ebraheem Al Samadi from 'Dubai Bling'? Get to know the multimillionaire from Netflix's hit show". My Imperfect Life. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  11. ^ "Our Brands – Alsadami Restaurants". Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  12. ^ "Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows With Lojain Omran". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  13. ^ published, Christina Izzo (2022-11-18). "Who is Lojain Omran from 'Dubai Bling'? All about her net worth, husband and more". My Imperfect Life. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  14. ^ East, Forbes Middle. "The Top 100 Arab Celebrities". Forbes ME. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  15. ^ Oxborrow, Ian (2022-06-24). "Money & Me: 'I'd still do radio even if Fade Fit sold for millions'". The National. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  16. ^ a b "DJ Bliss – The Middle East's Premier DJ and Entertainer". Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  17. ^ a b Dhami, Aman (22/11/2022). "DUBAI BLING'S DIVA DEE TELLS US SHE STAYED "TRUE TO HERSELF" THROUGHOUT THE SHOW – FULL INTERVIEW HERE". ITP LIVE. Retrieved 12/2/2023. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ a b c d "Who is Loujain Adada From Dubai Bling?". Grazia Middle East. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  19. ^ Reporter, Staff (2022-09-21). "Netflix announces cast of Arabic reality show 'Dubai Bling'". BroadcastPro ME. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  20. ^ "press detail | Palazzo Versace Dubai". www.palazzoversace.ae. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  21. ^ "Meet The Team". High Mark Real Estate. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  22. ^ "LinkedIn Login, Sign in". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  23. ^ thecompany. "I am the Company". I AM THE COMPANY. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  24. ^ "'Dubai Bling' Farhana Bodi Once Competed To Be Paris Hilton's BFF". Women's Health. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  25. ^ Bodi, F [@farhanabodi]. (n.d.). Posts [Instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.instagram.com/farhanabodi/
  26. ^ I Woman Of The World [@iwomanoftheworld]. (n.d.). Posts [Instagram profile]. Instagram. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.instagram.com/iwomanoftheworld/  
  27. ^ a b "Bodi Academy |". Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  28. ^ updated, Danielle Valente last (2022-11-15). "Who is Safa Siddiqui from 'Dubai Bling'? Meet the show's resident fashion designer". My Imperfect Life. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  29. ^ Siddiqui, S [@ safadubai.ae]. (2022, November 19). “Who’s ready? #safasiddiqui” [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/ClIxcjAyKqO/
  30. ^ a b Aleidan, Lama (28/10/2022). "Get to know Dubai Bling's very own leading ladies". Cosmopolitan Middle East. Retrieved 12/2/2023. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  31. ^ a b c Shrestha, Naman (2022-10-25). "Where is Netflix's Dubai Bling Filmed?". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  32. ^ "Filming Dubai Bling left Zeina Khoury in 'shock' while Ebraheem found a BFF". Reality Titbit. 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  33. ^ "Dubai Bling TOP 10 • FlixPatrol". FlixPatrol. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  34. ^ a b "Dubai Bling Hours Viewed • FlixPatrol". FlixPatrol. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  35. ^ a b c Prideaux, Sophie (2022-10-31). "'Dubai Bling' viewers praise 'mostly Arabic' scenes in show". The National. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  36. ^ "Netflix's 'Dubai Bling' stars respond to online criticism, celebrate show's global reach". Arab News. 2022-11-16. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  37. ^ Harper's Bazaar Arabia. “Is Dubai Bling Real? The Internet Reacts to Netflix’s New Reality Show….” Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, 31 Oct. 2022, www.harpersbazaararabia.com/culture/entertainment/is-dubai-bling-real. Accessed 13 Feb. 2023.
  38. ^ "The Kris Fade Show Podcast". Virgin Radio Dubai. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  39. ^ Shenton, Zoe (2022-05-05). "The net worth of the Bling Empire cast is a lot to take in". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  40. ^ "Everything You Need to Know About 'Bling Empire: New York' Season 1". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  41. ^ Bling Empire (Reality-TV), 3BMG, Jeff Jenkins Productions, 2021-01-15, retrieved 2023-02-15
  42. ^ published, Terrell Smith (2023-01-20). "Bling Empire: New York — release date, episode guide, teaser, cast, and everything we know about the spinoff reality series". whattowatch.com. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  43. ^ Julian, Jordan (2022-06-02). "Somehow, 'The Real Housewives of Dubai' Is Tragically Boring". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
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