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Omar Harfouch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Omar Harfouch
Born (1969-04-20) April 20, 1969 (age 57)
Tripoli, Lebanon
Citizenship
  • France
  • Lebanon
Occupationsbusinessman, composer

Omar Harfouch (Arabic: عمر حرفوش; born 20 April 1969 in Tripoli, Lebanon)[1] is a French-Lebanese composer and businessman.[2] Owner of a communications group in Ukraine, he is known in France for his participation in the reality show I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of here! and for his many appearances at jet set parties, in videos, and in celebrity magazines.[3] He is a regular donor and guest at AMFAR charity dinner in Cannes.[3][4][5] Co-owner of the international TV channel HDFashion & LifeStyle.[6] Owner of the French magazine Entrevue.[7]

Early Life

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Omar Harfouch was born in Tripoli, Lebanon. He studied piano at the Beirut Conservatory before relocating to Ukraine in the early 1990s, where he began working in the media and entertainment industries.[1]

Career

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Media business and ventures

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Durings the 1990s, Harfouch established several media businesses in Ukraine, including the television network SuperNova, the fashion magazine L'Officiel Ukraine, and the modeling agency SuperNova Models.

He became known to the general public in France in April 2006, when he took part in the reality show I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of here! for the benefit of Reporters Without Borders. During the show, he became the center of a controversy when he said he was a victim of "racist remarks" (he has black skin) of Marielle Goitschel, who in turn claimed to have treated him as "just a shrimp" (minus in French).[8]

In May 2006, after participating in the radio broadcast of Cauet dechire on Fun Radio, he filed a complaint against Cauet for defamation and racial abuse for statements uttered during the show and published by the magazine Entrevue in July 2006.[9][10] A few months later, Cauet was found guilty of public defamation of an individual and sentenced to a 500 euro fine and one euro in damages.[11] including two against Geneviève de Fontenay,[12] and four against Entrevue.

In October 2006, he released a book, Mystères, scandales et... fortune (Mysteries, Scandals and... Fortune).[13] The same year, he released his autobiography, Omar Harfouch: Confessions of a millionaire.[14]

In 2023, Omar became the owner of the French magazine Entrevue.[7]

On June 11–13, 2025, Harfouch was awarded a medal and the honorary title Compositeur honoris causa by the city of Béziers, France. The ceremony took place at the Béziers Conservatory, alongside composer Vladimir Cosma.[15][16][17][18] In September 2025, Harfouch was awarded an order by Prince Emanuel Philibert of Savoy, as part of a ceremony honoring dynastic and cultural distinctions.[19]

Concert activities

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Concert for Peace in Paris and the United Nations

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On September 18, 2024, Omar Harfouch presented his "Concerto for Peace" at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The event, which featured the Béziers Méditerranée Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mathieu Bonnin, was designed to promote global peace and unity through music.[20][21] On September 20, 2024, the same concert was performed at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, emphasizing Harfouch's commitment to using music as a humanitarian tool.[22][23]

Historic Concert in the Vatican

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On November 15, 2024, Omar Harfouch performed his "Concerto for Peace" in the Sistine Hall of the Vatican Library. This historic event marked the first-ever concert held in this sacred space. Following the performance, Harfouch was awarded the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee Medal by Pope Francis in recognition of his contribution to promoting peace through music. The event was attended by representatives of some of the world's most prominent libraries.[24][25][26] In September 2025, The original score of Concerto for Peace was donated to the Vatican Library (Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana), becoming part of its permanent archives.[27][28]

Dubai Opera Performance

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In December 2024, Harfouch brought his "Concert for Peace" to the Dubai Opera. The event, which celebrated unity and harmony, featured a special appearance by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom.[29][30] The concert included a 3D installation symbolizing the warmth and cultural unity of the Middle East, alongside a surprise performance by Chico & the Gypsies. This event underscored Harfouch's dedication to using music as a bridge between cultures and as a medium for promoting humanitarian initiatives.[31][32][33]

In 2025, the work was performed at the Italian Parliament on May 7 in Rome,[34] and later in Béziers, France.[35][36][37]

Public activity

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Harfouch launched a large-scale anti-corruption project in Lebanon. Together with members of the European Parliament, he allegedly discovered in foreign accounts, and also claims to have seized the first $150 million[38] stolen from the Lebanese budget.[39][40]

Omar Harfouch was recognized for his work "Save a life, you save humanity" during the 11th edition of the Cael Awards[41] in Dubai.[42] The piece was presented in various significant venues, including the European Commission in Brussels,[43] highlighting themes of harmony and solidarity.

On September 5, 2024, during the 81st Venice International Film Festival, Omar Harfouch was honored with the Best Achievement for Peace Award. The award was presented by actor Kevin Costner in recognition of Harfouch's dedication to promoting human rights and social causes.[44]

On November 15, 2024, Harfouch performed his "Concerto for Peace" in the Sistine Hall of the Vatican Library, marking the first time a concert was held in this sacred venue. Following his performance, he was awarded the 2025 Jubilee Medal by Pope Francis.[45]

In March 2025, he received the Women United for Peace award for his contributions to promoting peace.[46]

Political activity

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Harfouch has campaigned for the establishment of a secular third republic. His positions have been reported in many Lebanese media. He will go as far as announcing the creation of a Lebanese government in exile to get things moving.[47] Then, he will run for the general elections on 15 May 2022 in the Tripoli constituency. He will not be elected, which will not prevent him from continuing to advocate for "a non-confessional elective system that guarantees greater representativeness and greater freedom to Lebanese citizens.[48]

From the end of 2022, he will multiply his trips and international meetings to defend his institutional reform project. In Italy, he received the support of MP Roberto Bagnasco (Forza Italia) who, during a colloquium on 9 March 2023, declared: "The attention we pay to Lebanon is dictated by our desire to facilitate its transition to a third republic, more liberal, which goes beyond the confessional scheme, as advocated by our friend Harfouch."[48] He also received the support of Carol Moseley-Braun, the first African-American woman to be elected to the US Senate. This close friend of US President Joe Biden said at a press conference on 22 February 2023 that she would speak to the US president about Omar Harfouch and his Third Republic project."[49]

Omar Harfouch has also been noted for his statements on Israel. Following the historic agreement on the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel, he advocates a lasting economic peace and campaigns for peaceful relations between the two countries.[50][51] He had close ties with Marine Le Pen.[52][53] In 2023, legal proceedings were initiated against Harfouch in Lebanon after he was accused of meeting with an Israeli journalist during a conference in Brussels, conduct that Lebanese authorities alleged violated Lebanese law. The case was subsequently raised in the French National Assembly through a written parliamentary question, in which a member of parliament asked the French government to comment on the proceedings and their implications for human rights. In its response, the French government stated that the matter fell under Lebanese law while reaffirming France's commitment to human rights and opposition to antisemitism.[54]

Public reception

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Elite Affair

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Beginning in 2001, Harfouch publicly alleged that senior executives associated with the Elite modeling agency had engaged in misconduct involving young models, in sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and other inappropriate behavior. He stated that his allegations were based on his experience as a former business partner involved with Elite Model Look competitions in several countries.[55]

Following his allegations, Elite denied the accusations and initiated legal proceedings against publications that had reported Harfouch's claims. Harfouch subsequently became the subject of media reports accusing him of offenses including procuring, money laundering, and having links to organized crime. Several of those reports were later challenged in court. In one case, the Tribune de Genève acknowledged that allegations against Harfouch had relied on a forged document and reached a settlement with him after a defamation action.[56]

Business Disputes and Miss Europe

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He organized the Miss Europe competition with Endemol, initially presented on the French TV channel TF1, but the channel decided to sell it.[57] In 2006, Harfouch's company Super Nova Agency agreed with Endemol's Miss Europe Organisation to organize the Miss Europe 2006 pageant. Following disputes over the execution of the agreement, both parties initiated legal proceedings. In 2011, the Paris Court of Appeal upheld a lower court judgement ordering Harfouch and Super Nova Agency to pay more than €83,000 in damages to Endemol for failing to fulfill contractual obligations.[58]

Miss Universe 2025

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In July 2025, Harfouch served as a judge on the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Thailand. He joined the elite panel of judges chaired by Raul Rocha.[59][60][61][62][63][64] In November 2025, Harfouch resigned from the judging panel for the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, alleging that an unofficial committee had pre-selected finalists without the participation of the official judges and that the competition lacked transparency. He subsequently stated that he possessed recordings and other evidence supporting his allegations. The Miss Universe Organization denied the claims, stating that its judging procedures followed established protocols and that the selection process referenced by Harfouch related to separate initiative.[65][66]

Miss Grand International All Stars

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In 2026, Harfouch's participation as a judge in the inaugural Miss Grand International All Stars pageant attracted media attention after he awarded Laotian contestant Miranda Aengmany scores of 1 out of 10 in both the evening gown and "bare face" preliminary competitions. The scores generated criticism from pageant audiences and contestants. Harfouch later stated that his evaluations reflected an independent judging methodology and defended the scores publicly.[67][68]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Omar Harfouch: the liar mystery Archived 2009-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, France Sunday, 21 April 2006.
  2. ↑ Me Barillon the land of supermodels - Elite competition agency in Ukraine Archived 2009-02-26 at the Wayback Machine, Le Matin, 4 April 2000.
  3. 1 2 Omar Harfouch, the case for rolling glitter RSF Archived 2012-04-05 at the Wayback Machine, Marianne, 29 April 2006; 88 notes pour piano solo, Jean-Pierre Thiollet, Neva Ed., 2015, p. 211. ISBN 978-2-3505-5192-0
  4. ↑ Interview Fontenay and convicted of defamation Archived 2008-02-26 at the Wayback Machine, Le Nouvel Observateur, 24 June 2008.
  5. ↑ Menard, the man who wants to spoil the Beijing Olympics, The World, 9 April 2008.
  6. ↑ "Global Relaunching of HD Fashion & Lifestyle". HD Fashion. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  7. 1 2 "Omar Harfouch nouveau propriétaire d'Entrevue ! - Entrevue" (in French). 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-10-16.
  8. ↑ Richard Virenque wins "I am a disaster, get me out of here", Le Figaro, 15 October 2007.
  9. ↑ Omar Harfouch complaint against Cauet[permanent dead link], Le Nouvel Observateur, 7 .
  10. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Omar Harfouch contre CAUET. YouTube.
  11. ↑ Sebastien Cauet convicted of defamation Archived 2009-07-04 at the Wayback Machine, Media Matin Quebec, 15 February 2008.
  12. ↑ "Genevieve de Fontenay loses his case against Omar Harfouch"
  13. ↑ "Mystères, scandales et... fortune - Harfouch, Omar: 9782848140445 - AbeBooks". www.abebooks.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  14. ↑ "Screening War: Perspectives on German Suffering 9781571134370, 1571134379, 9781282706989, 1282706985". dokumen.pub. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  15. ↑ "Les compositeurs Omar Harfouch et Vladimir Cosma décorés à Béziers". Le Figaro (in French). 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  16. ↑ "Omar Harfouch reçoit le titre «Compositeur Honoris Causa» à Béziers". europe1.fr (in French). 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  17. ↑ "Omar Harfouch récompensé aux côtés de Vladimir Cosma". BFMTV (in French). 2025-06-13. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  18. ↑ "Accompagné de Vladimir Cosma, le compositeur Omar Harfouch reçoit un titre honorifique au conservatoire de Béziers". midilibre.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  19. ↑ Fontaine, Nicolas (2025-09-27). "Échange des plus hautes distinctions entre le prince Emmanuel-Philibert et le grand-duc Georges de Russie à Rome". Histoires Royales (in French). Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  20. ↑ Smith, Sara (2024-10-23). "Omar Harfouch's 'Concerto for Peace' Launches in Paris, With International Tour Announced". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  21. ↑ "Omar Harfouch's Concerto for Peace Delivered a Message of Unity and Hope in Paris". Elle Canada Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  22. ↑ Smith, Sara (2024-10-23). "Omar Harfouch's 'Concerto for Peace' Launches in Paris, With International Tour Announced". Variety. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  23. ↑ Rossly, K. D. (2024-10-08). "Omar Harfouch's 'Concerto for Peace' Launches in Paris, Bridging Divides Through Music". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  24. ↑ Carlos, Mark (2024-11-22). "Omar Harfouch Makes History with Concerto for Peace at the Vatican". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  25. ↑ "Omar Harfouch and the Vatican's Shared Vision to 'Give Peace a Chance' Through Music". Rolling Stone. 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  26. ↑ "Omar Harfouch performs historic concert in the Vatican". Reuters. November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Omar Harfouch au patrimoine universel du Vatican". Le Figaro (in French). 2025-09-08. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  28. ↑ "Heritage and Stage: Omar Harfouch's Concerto for Peace Finds Two Homes". Billboard Italia (in Italian). 2025-09-25. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  29. ↑ "World-Renowned Pianist Omar Harfouch Brings His Masterpiece "Concert for Peace" to Dubai with Orlando Bloom as a Special Guest on December 7". Daily Front Row. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  30. ↑ "Redefining red‑carpet elegance: Orlando Bloom, Omar Harfouch's Concerto for Peace eclipses the Met Gala's grandeur in Dubai". Reuters. December 12, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Omar Harfouch's Concerto for Peace with star guest Orlando Bloom Captivates Dubai". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  32. ↑ "Omar Harfouch and Orlando Bloom join hands for Concerto for Peace in Dubai". Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema. 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  33. ↑ "From Hollywood to the Emirates: Omar Harfouch and Orlando Bloom illuminate Dubai with the 'Concerto for Peace'". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  34. ↑ "Omar Harfouch's Concerto for Peace Resonates at Italian Parliament, Honoring Pope Francis". Reuters. May 7, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Le concert d'Omar Harfouch, qui fait rayonner Béziers, affiche complet". CNews (in French). 2025-05-07. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  36. ↑ "Tapis rouge, célébrités, guichets fermés : le concert unique d'Omar Harfouch à Béziers". Grazia (in French). 2025-05-12. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  37. ↑ "Retour aux sources pour le couple formé par Marc Lavoine et Adriana Karembeu: apparition dans un lieu symbolique pour Omar Harfouch". www.purepeople.com. 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  38. ↑ "Exclusive: Mogherini under fire over stink in Lebanon from EU cash". Exclusive: Mogherini under fire over stink in Lebanon from EU cash. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  39. ↑ Naji, Rafaela (2019-11-13). "Freezing Lebanon's Looted Funds with the Help of the European Parliament". 961. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  40. ↑ "Roundup: EU parliament, lawyers to investigate alleged stolen public funds case in Lebanon". China.org. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  41. ↑ "Cael Annual Awards - Dubai". Dubai One. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  42. ↑ "Omar Harfouch: An ode to peace at the Cael Awards in Dubai". 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  43. ↑ "Concert à la commission européenne: Omar Harfouch joue sa nouvelle composition pour la paix dans le monde". EU Briefs (in French). 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  44. ↑ "The First of Omar Harfouch's Global Concerto for Peace Performances". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  45. ↑ Carlos, Mark (2024-11-22). "Omar Harfouch Makes History with Concerto for Peace at the Vatican". EIN Presswire. Retrieved 2025-03-14.
  46. ↑ "Omar Harfouch reçoit le 'prix Women United for Peace". Tribune Juive (in French). 2025-03-12. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  47. ↑ "This Businessman Wants To Form Lebanon's "Government In Exile"". Beirut.com City Guide. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  48. 1 2 "Omar Harfouch in Italian Parliament: "I Fight For My Daughter and the Children of Lebanon, The Lebanese Republic Needs Liberal Reforms". North Brief. 2023-03-11. Archived from the original on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  49. ↑ "Carol Braun: "I will tell President Biden about Omar Harfouch" - london24news.co.uk". 2023-03-08. Archived from the original on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  50. ↑ "Lebanese PM candidate Omar Harfouch: peace with Israel is inevitable". EUROtoday. Archived from the original on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  51. ↑ Lempkowicz, Yossi (2023-02-09). "Lebanese Prime Minister candidate Omar Harfouch: Peace with Israel is inevitable". EJP. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  52. ↑ "Who is the businessman plastering Paris with ads for his concert you can't attend?". Le Monde. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  53. ↑ "Marine Le Pen plays the Lebanon card in French presidential race". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  54. ↑ "Question écrite n° 9966". www.assemblee-nationale.fr (in French). Retrieved 2026-07-24.
  55. ↑ AMALOU, FLORENCE (2001-09-23). "Le rachat d'Elite compromis par un scandale qui perdure". Le Monde (in French). ISSN 1950-6244. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  56. ↑ "Journaliste de la «TG» inculpé pour diffamation - Le Temps" (in French). 2002-06-18. ISSN 1423-3967. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  57. ↑ Miss France / Europe Miss: No more!, TouteLaTélé, 7 February 2007.
  58. ↑ puremedias (2011-05-09). "Endemol fait condamner Omar Harfouch". www.ozap.com. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  59. ↑ "Miss Univers choisit Omar Harfouch comme juge d'élite, présidé par Raul Rocha". Le Figaro (in French). 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  60. ↑ "Khaleej Times - Dubai News, UAE News, Gulf, News, Latest news, Arab news, Gulf News, Dubai Labour News". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  61. ↑ "Omar Harfouch Joins Miss Universe Jury with Vision to Inspire Future Female Leaders". Entrepreneur Middle East. July 28, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  62. ↑ "Former Miss Universe Judge Claims 'Impromptu Jury' Member Who Pre-Selected Top 30 Is Having an Affair with a Contestant (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  63. ↑ "Shocking reason why a Miss Universe judge quit three days before competition". The Independent. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  64. ↑ Josie Ensor (21 November 2025). "Miss Universe judge exposes 'secret committees and rigged votes'". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  65. ↑ "Two Miss Universe judges quit scandal-hit pageant, as one claims it's rigged". www.bbc.com. 2025-11-19. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  66. ↑ Team, ELLE (2026-04-12). "A Short And Sweet Timeline Of All The Miss Universe 2025 Scandals". ELLE. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  67. ↑ "Filipino shoemaker Jojo Bragais among judges of inaugural MGI All Stars pageant". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 2026-04-14. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  68. ↑ Evangelista, Jessica Ann (2026-05-28). "Omar Harfouch defends his 'low scoring' in MGI All Stars preselection". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
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