8 Western celebrities who fell for Arabs ... besides Rihanna
By: Jason Lemon
Source: Stepfeed
The internet has been exploding with the news of Rihanna and her new Saudi boo, but the singer is definitely not the first Western celebrity to fall for an Arab lover.
Here’s a look at some of the others Westerners who dated or married Arabs.
1. Janet Jackson and Wassim Al Mana
American pop-star Janet Jackson was married to and had a child with Qatari businessman Wassim Al Mana. The couple met in 2010 and got hitched in 2012.
But sadly, the couple parted ways earlier this year, after nearly five years of marriage.
2. George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin Clooney
George Clooney married Lebanese-British lawyer Amal Alamuddin in 2014.
Alumuddin was born in Beirut to Lebanese parents but moved to the United Kingdom, where she became an internationally renowned human rights lawyer.
The couple gave birth to twins named Ella and Alexander in June.
3. Kourtney Kardashian and Younes Bendjima
According to reports, Kourtney Kardashian began dating Algerian model and former boxer Younes Bendjima back in October. Although recent reports have suggested the couple has split, these have yet to be confirmed.
Bendjima was born in Algeria but now spends his time between New York and Paris. The duo met at Paris Fashion Week and has been spotted together on several occasions, including in Hollywood and in Cannes.
4. Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef
Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin announced his engagement to Syrian artist Jwan Yosef last November.
Although it’s unclear when the couple plan to officially tie the knot, Martin said the weddings going to include Middle Eastern traditions.
“This [wedding] is going to be Middle Eastern and Latin crazy all at once. It’s going to be one loud wedding!” Martin said.
5. Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid
British star Zayn Malik has been dating Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid since last year.
Although Hadid was born in California, she has proudly touted her Palestinian and Arab heritage. Earlier this year, Gigi and her sister Bella also marched in Washington D.C. to protest Trump’s infamous “Muslim ban”.
After appearing on the cover of Vogue Arabia in March, Gigi said: “Being half-Palestinian, it means the world to me to be on the first-ever cover(s) of Vogue Arabia.”
6. David Bowie and Iman
British rock star David Bowie was married to Somali model Iman (born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid) until his death in 2016.
Following Bowie’s death, Iman wrote: “The struggle is real, but so is God.”
The couple had one daughter, named Alexandria Zahra Jones.
7. George Michael and Fadi Fawaz
When George Michael died earlier this year, it was his boyfriend Fadi Fawaz who found his body.
“I want people to remember him the way he was. He was a beautiful person,” Fawaz said after Michael died, according to The Daily Star.
The Lebanese hairstylist also tweeted: “I will never stop missing you.”
8. Lindsay Lohan and a Saudi?
Along with Lindsay Lohan’s interest an Islam, rumors have flown that she had a Saudi boyfriend that peaked her interest in the religion.
Although the rumors have never been confirmed, Lohan has spent a lot of time in the Middle East and has credited her Muslim Arab friends with increasing her interest in Islam.
“A very close friend of mine, a Saudi, gave me a copy of the Qur’an and I brought it to New York because I was learning,” Lohan said, according to Arab News. “It opened doors for me to experience spirituality and to find true meaning.”