Lebanese popstars Fares Karam, Myriam Fares hit sour note with poster feud

Lebanese pop veterans Fares Karam and Myriam Fares have entered a very public war of words after the former was displeased with the size of his likeness on a poster for a concert.

The row began over a promotional poster for an event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia that both singers were scheduled to perform at in June.

Karam took issue with the poster, saying the image of him was far smaller than Fares' image and had been heavily retouched. He withdrew from the event, which organisers later pulled altogether.

Ill-feeling was seemingly reignited earlier this week when a journalist asked Fares about what she made of Karam's response to the poster.

"Honestly, I heard what he said, and I can't respond to this level," she said.

"I had thought that he was a respectful person, and I was surprised at what he said. The whole thing... is about a big picture and a small picture, it's shameful."

Fares said that she had specially requested for the Jeddah show organisers to have Karam participate, which she said organisers had told the Lebanese pop star.

"That upset me more," she said.

Karam, who is 49 years old, lashed out at the response, saying that a musician of his status did not need Fares to nominate him for shows. He then used a hashtag at the end of his tweet that included a word that translates as "b****" or "wh***".

Though some social media users defended Karam, many condemned him for the use of the derogatory term.

Fares said Wednesday that she might take Karam to court and "make an example" of him for his comments.

Both singers, who have careers spanning decades, have garnered controversy before.

In 2018, Fares released a jungle-themed music video in which she donned blackface and an afro-style wig, a move widely condemned as anti-Black racism.

Karam has angered some fans with lyrics seen as misogynistic.