Syrian singer Assala Syrian singer Assala said she was hesitant about releasing her new album \"Shakhsiya Anida\" (Stubborn Mentality), because of the daily and tragic events taking place in her homeland. However Assala was happy for the achievement of the Egyptian people in electing their first civilian president in the state\'s history, Dr Mohammed Morsi, whom Assala described as \"a very kind person but a very smart one too, who can lead Egypt to a true renaissance.\"
Interviewed by Arabstoday, Assala conveyed that she hoped that the Syrians too would achieve their goals and reach stability like Egypt for which she predicted a bright future.
Describing her new album, Assala disclosed that she was going to present a completely different musical style to the one her fans are accustomed to. Without giving away too much, she said: \"The album will contain 10 songs, and the title track is called \"Shakhsiya Anida\" (Stubborn Mentality)\" a song that Assala said reflected her own personality.  She anticipated it would be released this month or July, but cautioned: \"I want to see some stability in the Arab region first.\"
Assala said that she was a  fan of the Lebanese singer Elissa who has just released a new album but said she had yet to listen to the album \"with full concentration.\"
Rumours have been circulating about a war of words between her and the veteran Syrian singer Mayada al-Hinnawi  which Assala attempted to explain: \"Mayada is a veteran singer with a very long and successful singing career, but she went too far in insulting me about my childhood illness and for being raised in a simple and ordinary family, something I am proud of. However, everybody knows the real motivation behind her insults, which is my support of the Syrian revolution, as Mayada stands on the side of the regime.  Anyway, I have decided to respect her age and not to respond, as everybody in the Arab region knows me and what I stand for.\"
Assala commented on another personal dispute, this time with her ex-husband, the producer Ayman al-Zahabi. She laughed saying she divorced him after she became aware  of his \"reality\", adding that she was bankrupt when she abandoned him, claiming that he stole all her money, \"but God compensated me with my marriage to Tarek al-Erian [the movie director], who deserves all my love and respect.\"
In response to allegations that she had  avoided taking part  in the farewell ceremony of the recently deceased singing legend, Warda, Assala firmly denied the story saying that she had hoped to participate but she was very busy preparing for her new album, filming her TV show \"Soula\", and looking after her two children; Adam and Ali.
\"Actually this allegation upset me a lot. I loved Warda and tried  to attend any she was involved with, but this ceremony took place at the same time I was filming my TV show,\" Assala concluded.