‘The warmth, the goodness’: From Shahrukh Khan to Messi, international celebrities all reward for Saudi Arabia
DUBAI: Over the years, Saudi Arabia has opened its doorways to celebrities and stars from the world over because the Kingdom made its presence identified within the international leisure house. Here are 10 superstars who’ve visited Riyadh and had been left in awe of the Saudi capital.
Sofia Vergara
The US-Colombian actress, most well-known for her function in “Modern Family,” is not any stranger to Saudi Arabia and likewise introduced her trademark glamor to a promotional video for the VIA Riyadh luxurious vacation spot within the Saudi capital earlier this 12 months.
She additionally dazzled on the purple carpet of the 2023 Joy Awards in Riyadh in January. “I would like to dedicate the award to all the amazing women in the Kingdom and to all the women in the Middle East who are building a better future for all the women. Your dreams can come true, and they will if you use the two most important things: your mind and your culture,” Vergara stated after accepting the Personality of the Year Award.
Lionel Messi
While there was an inflow of worldwide soccer stars becoming a member of the Saudi Pro League this 12 months, the Argentine sensation — who performs for Inter Miami — visited Riyadh this summer season, alongside together with his spouse and youngsters, for a sightseeing journey.
“The best thing about holidays is spending quality time with our loved ones,” he wrote to his 480 million followers on Instagram. “Flashback to my visit to Riyadh, playing local games and making crafts with the warmest Saudi people.”
“If you are still planning your holidays, head to the cool mountains of (Asir) and chill at 17°C degrees,” he suggested his followers.
The photos characteristic the footballer enjoying together with his sons and spouse Antonella Roccuzzo.
He additionally shared a picture of the picturesque mountains of Asir.
Messi visited the Kingdom in May and went to At-Turaif, the 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah, and likewise explored a few of Riyadh’s extra up to date sights.
He additionally went on a guided tour in Diriyah and dined out at Al-Bujairi Terrace.
Jason Momoa
Back in 2017, “Game of Thrones” and “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa visited Saudi Arabia as a part of the pop-culture conference Comic Con Arabia.
“The food in Saudi Arabia is good. I missed Thanksgiving at home, so this was a true substitute,” he informed Arab News.
Mada Abdelhamid, WWE star and Momoa’s coach, posted a photograph of himself and Momoa on Instagram, posing in entrance of an enormous plate of conventional Saudi delicacies kabsa and mansaf.
“The before and after. Now this is what I call a FEAST!!!!! Eating like kings over here in Saudi Arabia. We literally couldn’t move afterwards … but we couldn’t stop eating either. Very fitting that we were over here during Thanksgiving. Our stomachs felt right at home #FeastForABeast,” Abdelhamid wrote.
Momoa additionally took to social media to put in writing about his expertise visiting Riyadh’s iconic Najd Village: “Mahalo Saudi Arabia you treated me like royalty. Aloha to the fans and new friends. I had so many amazing experiences. I’ll be back very soon. Mahalo omar for fattening me up, the food here is amazing @najdvillagesa aloha j,” he wrote, utilizing the Hawaiian phrases for thanks (mahalo) and love (aloha).
The actor additionally visited Al-Thumamah National Park throughout the identical go to.
Steve Aoki
US-Japanese DJ Steven Hiroyuki Aoki shocked followers on the MDLBEAST music competition in Riyadh in 2019 with a particular remix of tunes by Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu.
“I love collaborating across cultures, it’s my favorite thing in the world,” Aoki informed Arab News on the time.
Aoki, who additionally carried out earlier that 12 months at Jeddah World Fest, stated he “loves” the individuals of Saudi Arabia and that he didn’t understand he had an enormous fan base within the Kingdom.
“It is surprising and incredible … to see so many fans in Saudi Arabia … everyone is so loving and so kind. They are just beautiful people,” he stated, including that he was eager to return to the nation for future performances.
“The people want it. You feel the energy in the crowd, they want this kind of music here,” he stated.
Aoki additionally not too long ago carried out in Riyadh for a Gamers8 live performance and gushed about his expertise afterwards. “I love the Saudi crowd. I’ve been playing here since 2019… I did Jeddah, I did MDLBEAST three times. And the Saudi crowd, they’re full of life. They’re an explosion of energy and passion and excitement. And this is what an artist dreams to have… For fans to really express themselves,” he stated.
DJ Khaled
Renowned artist and producer DJ Khaled made a shock look at XP Music Futures in Riyadh in December 2022, forward of his headlining efficiency on the area’s largest music competition, MDLBEAST SOUNDSTORM.
Coming to the area for the primary time, his expertise of the tradition and other people was not like some other, he stated. The high quality of life and overarching pleasure appealed to the artist. “When we were driving over here and I was looking around, I put my head out the window and somebody screamed ‘Khaled!’ and I appreciate the love, and I said ‘Joe, man, people here are just happy,’” he informed Arab News.
Katie Holmes
The widespread US actress visited the Kingdom on a visit with British actor Idris Elba and retired French footballer Thierry Henry in 2018.
Holmes took to social media to share a number of snaps from her journey to Riyadh, waxing lyrical in regards to the structure in a caption for one {photograph}, and revealing, for one more picture, that she was “so grateful for this amazing and inspiring time.” During her go to, Holmes additionally had lunch with Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud, together with Elba and Henry.
She additionally opened up about her journey, saying the nation was “so beautiful.” “It was a long trip, but I really enjoyed it. I love the women that I met.”
“It was really inspiring to see these women enjoying the new freedoms they now have and there is a sense of creativity that is happening,” she added.
John Travolta
US actor John Travolta, greatest identified for his starring roles in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease,” made his first-ever look in Saudi Arabia in 2017 to debate his profession, throughout a two-day gala occasion.
Travolta answered questions from followers within the Saudi capital. “I have been completely touched by the warmth and embracing nature of everyone since I’ve arrived,” stated the actor on the occasion titled, “A Night with Travolta,” organized by the Saudi Entertainment Authority.
Jackie Chan
The celebrated actor and martial artist Jackie Chan was in Riyadh in 2019 to just accept a Joy Excellence award, and stated that he was wanting ahead to filming motion pictures in Saudi Arabia.
“It’s my first time in Saudi, and I know it’s a big country. After only a few hours (travelling) here and looking at locations I know there’s a good place for car chasing, explosions, action; so, next time, I hope to come back with my crew,” Chan stated.
The film legend — who additionally visited Jeddah for the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2022 — thanked Saudi Arabia for inviting him to the nation, and expressed hopes the Kingdom would grow to be a number one middle of regional movie and tv manufacturing.
Shah Rukh Khan
The Bollywood celebrity — who most not too long ago shot his upcoming movie “Dunki” in Saudi Arabia — visited the Kingdom for the primary time in 2019 to just accept a Joy Excellence award.
“We have been talking about the hospitality, the warmth, the goodness and the love that has been showered upon us … and for most of us, it’s our first trip to the Kingdom of Saudi,” Khan stated on the occasion.
“Inshallah, we all wait with bated breath because cinema has opened up here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. You have so many new stories to tell, and we as the world look forward to being of help in any which way we can be of help.”
Idris Elba
The British actor — identified for his roles in “Luther” and “The Wire” — first visited Saudi Arabia in 2018 to talk on the launch of the $35 billion “Quality of Life” program of cultural, sports activities and leisure initiatives.
“Saudi Arabia gave me an opportunity to make my film here. It made sense on an economical model,” Elba stated on the occasion. “I would definitely be here — why not?”
“Saudi Arabia has an awesome opportunity to spread its culture through filmmaking,” he added.
The actor additionally mirrored on his time in Saudi Arabia later in a podcast.
“I found Saudi was warm and welcoming to me, in a surprising way, if I’m honest,” the actor stated in the course of the inaugural episode of a chat present produced by the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra.
He went on to clarify that it was, “surprising because I wasn’t sure if my work had ever resonated in Saudi.”
Naomi Campbell
British supermodel Naomi Campbell visited Saudi Arabia in 2019, showing at a number of occasions together with the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah and a panel dialogue titled “Diversity and Inclusion in the Fashion Industry” in Riyadh.
“I had to actually pinch myself and say I am in Saudi Arabia at the Red Sea Film Festival, the first one ever, this historical event,” stated Campbell on the time.
“It’s really about the change that’s happening around the world. I have been doing this for 35 years and I am really honored and happy to be here, still, in the business … and to see the change.”
During the style panel in Riyadh, the mannequin mentioned her love of humanitarian work, which started in 1993 in Africa with Nelson Mandela, and the ensuing cultural influences she has skilled.
“There is a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Africa,” she stated. “There are so many similarities and I really believe that Africa can teach the Middle East (about) textile and the Middle East can teach artisan work to Africa.”
