CAIRO — Iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum is getting her own biopic, and luckily Sofia EssaIdi has been chosen to play the role of one of the most memorable singers in the Arab world. The French-Moroccan singer-actress was deemed to bear the most resemblance to Umm Kulthum, reports Albawaba.com. As a former contestant on the talent competition Star Academy, the Moroccan singer of a French mother is the ideal artist to star in this film, fittingly titled “The Voice.” “It's a huge challenge,” the singer said. “I grew up in Morocco in a more Europeanized family because my mother is French, but despite that, we couldn't miss Umm Kulthum's songs,” she said. “My mother always told me stories about her. Thanks to Umm Kulthum, she learned Arabic phonetics.” Sofia will still face a huge challenge coping with the majestic voice of Umm Kulthum and her unique presence on stage. “I am always afraid of not being honest to the actual artist's image. There is a real pressure,” she said, adding that she is very enthusiastic to take on this new adventure. - Agencies
