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Cynthya Karam

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Cynthya Karam
سينتيا كرم
Born (1980-07-11) 11 July 1980 (age 44)
Beit ed-Dine, Lebanon
EducationLebanese University
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present[1]
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)

Cynthya Karam (Arabic: سينتيا كرم; born 11 July 1980) is a Lebanese actress, singer, and television presenter known for her work in theater, television, and music. A graduate in theater from the Lebanese University, she first gained recognition as a contestant on the inaugural season of the pan-Arab talent show Star Academy in 2003. Her career spans stage productions such as Georges Khabbaz's productions and television roles including Adla in Bil-Damm (2025), which earned critical acclaim. Beyond acting, Karam is involved in humanitarian initiatives, including volunteer work in children's hospitals.

Early life and education

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Karam was born in Beit ed-Dine on 11 July 1980.[2] Her father Kamal Wadih Karam,[3] was a Lebanese Army general.[4][5] Karam's talent began to develop at a young age, encouraged by her mother who fostered a creative and playful environment. Her mother would dance, play the piano, and watch musicals with her.[6] Young Karam also organized home performances with neighbors, which solidified her passion for the theater.[7] Her early years were marked by the challenges of growing up during the Lebanese Civil War,[8] and by her parents' divorce, which she described as having significantly shaped her personal growth and resilience.[9][10] Initially enrolled at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts to study advertising, Karam's father suggested she transfers to the Lebanese University's Faculty of Arts to pursue her passion for theater.[11][12] Her mother, who thought of theater as a hobby, did not support her decision.[13] She eventually relented after witnessing her first stage performance.[14]

Career

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Karam's career spans across television, theater, and music. She gained initial recognition as a contestant on the first season of Star Academy in 2003,[15][16] a popular pan-Arab televised talent show, and the second reality television show in Arab TV history.[17] In a 2025 interview with Lebanese journalist Nadya Tueini, Karam stated that she was unfamiliar with the specifics of the show prior to her participation.[18] She joined Star Academy after being recommended by the Lebanese composer Ousama Rahbani. While studying at the Lebanese University, Rahbani was casting for a production of Romeo and Juliet and sought actors who could sing and dance. Upon learning of Karam's talents, he encouraged her to audition for the reality show, though she initially resisted due to her unfamiliarity with Arabic music.[19]

In theater, Karam has played in various productions; notably, she performed in "Hadara" and "Nashid" directed by Gabriel Yammine, "Zilal" directed by Jihad El Andari,[20] "Maamoul" and "Ghammed Ayn, Fatteh Ayn" in 2024 written and directed by Karim Shebli and Sara Abdo,[21] and participated in the Jordanian Theater Festival with "Ayam Raba`iyat Al Khayyam" directed by Jabbar Hassan. She also starred in the comedy ""atloub by Georges Khabbaz.[20] In 2023 she played the role Nancy Nar, the Arabic counterpart of Roxie Hart in the Arabic rendition of Chicago.[22] Karam's television credits include roles in series such as Syrian drama "Sana'udu baada Qalil" (2013), "Saqf al-Alam" (2007), and "Amnesia" (2021). She also appeared in the film "Bil Kanun" (2014), and Damascus Under Fire" (2018).[20] Karam met writer Nadine Jaber in theater performance who cast her in the series Bil-Damm (In the Blood) in the role of Adla.[23] Karam's portrayal of Adla received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences, especially during Adla's tragic death, which was highlighted for its depth and authenticity. Viewers expressed strong emotional reactions, with many noting the unexpected nature of the character's fate.[24] Karam's engagement with fans, and her social and humanitarian involvement contributed to her reputation as a socially conscious artist.[25][2]

In addition to acting, Karam has pursued a career in music. She has performed at various festivals and events alongside fellow "Star Academy" alumni.[15]

Personal life

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Karam, then a volunteer with the Lebanese Red Cross, responded to the 12 December 2005 Mkalles bombing, an assassination attack targeting Gibran Tueni,[26] a prominent Lebanese journalist, politician, and outspoken critic of Syria’s military and political occupation of Lebanon.[27] Initially, she mistook the blast for a factory explosion. Arriving at the scene after the detonation, she helped recover and carry Tueni’s body.[26] In 2016, Karam ran as a candidate for the municipal council of Beit ed-Dine, though she was not elected.[28] Beyond her artistic career, Karam is involved in humanitarian work, volunteering as a clown doctor in hospitals, and caring for cancer and end-of-life patients, including in children's hospitals.[2]

Acting credits

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Refs.
2014 Bil Kanoun as herself [29][20]
2015 The Splinter Woman 2 Short [29]
2018 Damascus Under Fire (Be Vaghte Sham/Damascus Time) Om Salamah [29]
2018 Damascus Flight 2071 [30]
2022 All Roads Lead to Rome (Aa Mafraa al-Tariq) Sister Celestine [29]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Refs.
2003 Star Academy Arabia Participant [15][16]
2006 Ossas Neswen [31]
2007 The World's Highest Plateau (Saqf al-Alam) [20]
2008 Al-Bir Hotel [20]
2008 Jehze la Jeze Herself (host) Al Aan TV [32]
2013 We Will Be Right Back (Sana'udu ba'da qalil) [20]
2021 Amnesia [20]
The Visit (Az-Ziayara) Vera [29]
2022 Bakkeer Nora [29][20]
2023 Brando al-Sharq [20]
2025 Bil-Damm Adla [29]

Theater

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Year Production Role(s) Playwright Notes Refs.
2002 Shadows (Zilal) Jihad El Andari [1]
2006 Anthem (Nashid) Gabriel Yammine [33]
2007 Public Bath (Hammam 'Moumi) Aïda Sabra [31]
2008 Civilization (Hadara) Gabriel Yammine [34]
2011 Wanted (Matloub) Lea Georges Khabbaz [35]
2012 El Awwal Bel Saf Georges Khabbaz [36]
2013 Mich Mekhtelfin Georges Khabbaz [37]
2014 Natrino Georges Khabbaz [38]
2015 Behind the door (Wara al-Bab) Georges Khabbaz [39]
2017 Unless (Illa Iza) Georges Khabbaz [20]
2018 Home for Christmas Bruno Tabbal [40]
2019 The Diaries of a Theater Actor (Yawmiyyet Masrahji) Georges Khabbaz [20]
2022 Ayam Ruba`iyat Al-Khayyam Jaber Hassan [31]
Cocktail Maison Bruno Tabbal [31]
While Waiting for Noah (Nehan w Natrin Nouh) Sara Abdo and Karim Shebli [31]
2023 Chicago the Musical Bel Arabi Nancy Nar Roy ElKhouri [22]
Home for Christmas Bruno Tabbal [40]
2024 Maamoul Karim Shebli and Sara Abdo [21]
Ghammed Ayn, Fatteh Ayn Aïda[41] Karim Shebli and Sara Abdo [21]
Shou Ya Ashta Wafaa Halawi (writer), Riad Chirazi (Director) [42]
L'Auberge de Noël Bruno Tabbal [43]
Le Periple de Celeste Bruno Tabbal [44]
Qoumi Nadim Cherfan voice [45]
2025 Ly Chabakna Ykhallesna Nahia[46] Zeina Daccache [47]

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b Ad-Dustour 2002.
  2. ^ a b c Nemr 2025.
  3. ^ Bisara7a 2014.
  4. ^ Tueini 2025, 07:11.
  5. ^ An-Nahar 2025c.
  6. ^ Tueini 2025, 04:48–05:07.
  7. ^ Tueini 2025, 04:17–04:44, 05:16–05:24.
  8. ^ Tueini 2025, 06:20.
  9. ^ Tueini 2025, 26:40–26:51.
  10. ^ Sawt Beirut International (SBI) & Hilal 2022.
  11. ^ Tueini 2025, 07:17–08:08.
  12. ^ Alloush 2025a.
  13. ^ Tueini 2025, 06:51–07:15.
  14. ^ Tueini 2025, 09:11–09:44.
  15. ^ a b c eeMe 2023.
  16. ^ a b Tueini 2025, 01:27, 16:33.
  17. ^ Tueini 2025, 16:33.
  18. ^ Tueini 2025, 16:22.
  19. ^ Tueini 2025, 16:49–18:41.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l elCinema 2024.
  21. ^ a b c Saad 2024a; Saad 2024b.
  22. ^ a b Aridi 2023; Houssari 2023.
  23. ^ Tueini 2025, 34:07–34:20.
  24. ^ Al-Araby 2025; An-Nahar 2025a; Alloush 2025b; IMLebanon staff 2025; Erem News 2025; ET (Arabic) 2025; Kmeid 2025; CNN Arabic 2025; Zayed 2025.
  25. ^ Barouta 2025; An-Nahar 2025b; ET (Arabic) 2025.
  26. ^ a b Tueini 2025, 01:19:40–01:20:22.
  27. ^ Associate Press 2013.
  28. ^ IMLebanon staff 2016.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g IMDB 2025.
  30. ^ Madiyye 2020.
  31. ^ a b c d e Nabd 2025.
  32. ^ Al AAn TV 2008.
  33. ^ Itany 2006; elCinema 2024.
  34. ^ Hijazi 2008.
  35. ^ Khabbaz 2019a.
  36. ^ Khabbaz 2019d.
  37. ^ Khabbaz 2021.
  38. ^ Khabbaz 2019b.
  39. ^ Khabbaz 2019c.
  40. ^ a b L'Orient-Le Jour 2023a.
  41. ^ L'Orient-Le Jour 2024a.
  42. ^ This is Beirut staff 2024.
  43. ^ Tayah 2024b.
  44. ^ Tayah 2024a.
  45. ^ El-Khoury 2024.
  46. ^ Abou Dib 2025.
  47. ^ Tayah 2025a.

Sources

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