Rania Hussein Mohamed Tawfik (Arabic: رانيا حسين محمد توفيق [ˈɾɑnjɑħeˈseːnmæˈħæm.mædtæwˈfiːʔ]; born October 8, 1981), known as Ruby (Arabic: روبي [ˈɾuːbi], sometimes transliterated as Roubi), is an Egyptian singer, actress and occasional model who rose to fame with her debut single "Enta Aref Leih" ("Do You Know Why?") in 2003.

Biography

Musical career

The first music video of her debut single "Enta Aref Leih" (2003), was directed by Sherif Sabri and was a huge hit on most satellite music stations in the Middle East during the summer of 2003. Ruby is originally from Asyut Governorate. Ruby was criticized by the media for appearing in the provocative costume of a belly dancer in the song's music video. Despite this criticism, the successful single brought Ruby into the limelight.

Ruby_(Egyptian_Singer)_6
Ruby in Concert, 2023

Ruby's second video was released in early 2004. The video was titled "Leih Beydary Kedah" (Why Is He Hiding His Feelings Like This?) and directed by Sherif Sabri; the video again also featured provocative scenes. Her third music video "El Gharaam (Koll Amma A'ollo Ah)" was accompanied by clips from Ruby's movie, "Saba' Wara'aat Kotcheena" (7 Playing Cards). The film was banned by the governments of some Arabic countries due to its usage of erotic themes.

Ruby was questioned in numerous interviews about her provocative style and suggestive moves, to which she responded that she does not consider herself to be a sex symbol. She was also rumoured to be married to her manager, Sherif Sabri, but they have both denied the rumour.

In 2008, she released a single Yal Ramoush (Wonderful Eyelashes). She is also the one who sang the theme song of Al Wa3d Movie Awwel Marra.

Acting career

Ruby in Egyptian series Once Upon a Time

Ruby's debut in Egyptian cinema was in 2000 and has 25 films in the Egyptian film Film Saqafi (Cultural Film). In 2019, she participated in two Egyptian films including Hamlet Pheroun and The Treasure 2. Ruby's last artistic work is The Treasure 2 (Al Kanz 2). Ruby had a prominent role in the viral 2020 advertisement for Edita's Molto croissants.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Eba'a Abelni (2004)
  • Fein Habibi (2005)
  • Meshit Wara Ehsasi (2007)
  • Hetta Tanya (2021)

Singles

  • Enta Aref Leh (2003)
  • Leih Beydary Keda (2004)
  • Yal Remoush (2008)
  • Hetta Tanya (2021)
  • Ana Laww Za'lana (2021)
  • Albi Plastic (2021)
  • Hetta Tanya (Harout Zadikian Remix) (2021)
  • Nemt Nenna (2022)

Filmography

YearFilmTranslationNotes
2000Film ThaqafiCultural Film
2001Sekut HansawwarSilence, We're Rolling
2004Saba' Wara'at Kotshina7 Cards
2008Lelet el BabyDollThe BabyDoll Night
2008El Wa'dThe Promise
2010El Sho'LustWon—Golden Pyramid Award from the 34th Cairo International Film Festival
2013El Harami w el AbitThe Thief and the Idiot
2013El HaflahThe Party
2015Yom Maloosh LazmaA Useless Day
2017El KenzThe Treasure
2018Eyar NariGunshot
2019Hamlet Far'onHamlet Pheroun
2019El Kenz 2The Treasure 2
2021Bara El ManhagOut of Syllabus
2022Wahed TanyAnother One
2022Keira w ElgenKeira and El-Gen
2023ShalabyShalaby
2023Group El MamizMoms Group

External links