Judging on X Factor Arabia was fun

Emirati singer Hussein al-Jasmi Cairo – Khaled Farag? Emirati singer Hussein al-Jasmi has denied being overtly courteous towards contestants on X-Factor Arabia. In a exclusive interview with Arab Today, the talent show judge said that he just wanted to be nice to the participants, and pass his judgement in a positive manner. "There are so many ways one can express an opinion - and you don't have to be mean and nasty about it. "I tried to make sure I respect the candidate, and their personality," he explained. Jasmi said he enjoyed the experience of judging talent on television, adding he had a good feeling about eventual winner Mohamed Rifi. "I thought it was a successful experience for me, to be part of the Arab version of an ?international show was an honour. I was delighted to have been able to offer my singing experience to the contestants. "Mohamed Rifi had the X Factor, the talent to distinguish him from other members of the team and he was the deserved winner in my view," Jasmi said. The X Factor judge played down controversy over Rifi's victory, and reiterated that official figures showed the Moroccan singer had more votes than runner-up Adham Nabulsi. "The X Factor organisers have evidence to prove ?Rifi's victory, through the votes he received from the first day. There were some great contestants, including Ibrahim Abdel-Azem, but in the end it was the audience who had the final say."? Jasmi told Arab Today that he is facing a race against time to complete his new ?album for release in the Middle East within the next few weeks. The album is titled Kebar Seghar (Old Young) because it has songs for all age groups, from young to old, Jasmi explained. "The album has been produced by my company Emirates Arts. This does not mean there there is a problem with Rotana Records. I have a good relationship with them but have decided to work on my own projects." The Emirati singer recently featured in Egyptian theatre production Habibi ya Watan, making the liberation of the ?Sinai peninsula. "It was a historical moment for me, on a precious and ?important occasion for Arabs, not only for Egypt. "I would like to dedicate my song Fe Hobb ?Misr (In Love Of Egypt) to the Egyptian army."?