The career of Lebanese artist Layal Abboud began with her appearance as a competitor on the television program Studio El-Fan during the 2001-2002 season. Born in 1982 in the village of Kniseh, she has since developed a multi-faceted professional life as a singer, composer, poet, actor, businessperson, and former police officer within her home country.
Early Education and Career Shifts
Abboud pursued extensive higher education, attending the Lebanese University for English literature, Beirut Arab University for translation, and the American University of Science and Technology. She holds a master's degree and completed two years of training at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music. Before focusing on her artistic career, she served as an officer with the Internal Security Forces for two years, performing security duties.
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Her professional trajectory in music expanded after she networked with musicians such as Richard Najm, Tony Abi Karam, and Salim Salameh. By 2006, she had become a multi-instrumentalist capable of playing the oud, organ, and guitar. Her debut album, Fi Shouq, was released in late 2007. As a member of the Syndicate of Professional Artists in Lebanon, she performs across various Arabic dialects, focusing on Lebanese folklore and concert tours.
Entrepreneurship and Fashion
Beyond her performance work, Abboud has established several business ventures, including the Amman-based wedding planning company Loulou Secret and her own music label, Layal Productions. Her professional public presentation is managed by a team including stylist Serene Assaad and fashion designer Akel Fakih. In 2017, she made a public debut as a fashion model at the Design & Brands event held at the Four Seasons Hotel of Beirut.
Personal Life and Public Advocacy
Abboud is a practising Shia Muslim who observes religious traditions such as fasting during Ramadan. She is an advocate for the implementation of public smoking bans in Lebanon. An enthusiast of horseback riding, she keeps four horses in the village of Tanbourit. Her personal history includes a marriage in 1998 at age sixteen and the birth of her son, Jad, in 2004, followed by a divorce.
Fast facts
- Born: 1982, Kniseh, Tyre, Lebanon
- Notable work: Fi Shouq
- Education: Master's degree
- Former occupation: Internal Security Forces officer
- Religion: Shia Islam
- Languages: Arabic, English
Questions readers ask
Did Layal Abboud have formal musical training?
Yes, she studied music for two years at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music and was trained by Richard Najm.
What is the status of her early marriage?
She married at age sixteen in 1998 and later divorced, choosing to prioritize her career in the arts.
Achievements
- Notable work: Fi Shouq
- Instruments: organ and voice
- Genres: Arabic pop, dance music and music of Lebanon
