Members of the international female Lebanese dance troupe Mayyas, who won America's Got Talent season 17 in 2022, perform for the first time in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Aug.  1, 2024.  (AP Photo / Hussein Malla)

Dance group Mayyas unveil new show during debut public performance in Lebanon



Global TV stars Mayyas performed in public for the first time in their home country Lebanon, celebrating its capital with a new dance show.

The decorated troupe, who garnered an international fan base after winning America's Got Talent in 2022 before sharing a stage with Beyonce at the launch of Royal Atlantis Dubai, performed Qumi at Beirut Waterfront.

Ahead of the show, founder and choreographer Nadim Cherfan told The National it was Mayyas's most extravagant production to date with more than 70 dancers on stage. "It is really a story about Beirut, or at least the way we see it,” he said.

“The story does take some fantastical turns but when it comes to our discussion of Beirut and Lebanon as a whole it is grounded in reality. Qumi poses questions like what the characteristics of the city are and what are the Lebanese people made of.”

Mayyas emerged in 2019 when they became the first act from Lebanon to win Arabs Got Talent. Amid the economic decline gripping Lebanon, a situation described as one of the world’s worst economic crises by the World Bank, the group kept their dance studio afloat and were soon invited to participate in America's Got Talent, where they won the $1 million prize.

"It was so meaningful for all of us to win, considering the situation in Lebanon. And while we are grateful for all the love and support it still feels, to me at least, that it’s not yet time to fully celebrate,” Cherfan says. “My mindset has always been ‘well, what’s next’. If I climb a mountain, I feel I have to get ready for the next one.”

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

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Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

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THE BIO

Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.

Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.

Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.

Updated: August 02, 2024, 10:20 AM