Wael Kfoury

Wael Kfoury وائل كفوري
Kfoury in July 2017
Born	Michel Émile Kfoury ميشال إميل كفوري (1974-09-14) 14 September 1974 Zahlé, Lebanon
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician, songwriter, actor
Years active	1992–present
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Spouse	Angela Bechara ​ (m. 2010)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Arabic pop Mawwal Folk
Labels	Rotana Music Group Music Box International EMI Music Arabia

Michel Émile Kfoury (Arabic: ميشال إميل كفوري; born 14 September 1974), known by his stage name Wael Kfoury (Arabic: وائل كفوري), is a Lebanese singer, musician, songwriter, and actor. Since rising to fame in the early 1990s, Kfoury has been dubbed “The King of Romance” for his powerful, emotive vocal style and his ability to blend traditional Arabic melodies with contemporary pop sensibilities. Over the decades, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the romantic ballad genre in the Arab world, captivating audiences with chart-topping hits and timeless love songs. With his distinctive voice, poetic lyrics, and enduring stage presence, Kfoury has become a cultural symbol of love and passion, inspiring generations of artists and fans across the Middle East.

Career

Wael studied solfège at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

A key milestone in his career was signing with Rotana Records, a powerhouse in Middle Eastern music production. This partnership provided him with extensive resources and regional exposure, enabling the release of several highly successful albums that deepened his artistic expression and solidified his status as a leading Arabic music star. Kfoury’s collaborations with renowned composers and lyricists during this period contributed to his evolving sound and growing fan base.

In addition to recording and performing, Wael Kfoury has played an influential role on television. He served as a judge on Arab Idol, where his mentorship helped launch the careers of emerging Arab artists. This role enhanced his profile as a respected figure in the industry, offering insight into his commitment to nurturing new talent and shaping the future of Arabic music.

Kfoury’s international concert tours have significantly expanded his audience. He has performed to sold-out crowds in key cities across the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Australia. His participation in prestigious music festivals and landmark venues further confirms his wide appeal and ability to connect with diverse audiences. These global appearances reflect both his commercial success and his cultural impact beyond Lebanon.

Artist's activities

Since his breakthrough as the gold-medalist on Studio el-Fan in 1992, Wael Kfoury—often nicknamed the “King of Romance”—has sustained a prolific career spanning over 30 years, characterized by a continuous blend of classic Arabic balladry and modern pop flair . His discography includes at least 20 albums, from early hits like Shafouha w Sarou Y’oulou (1994), Mayyet Fiki (1995), and Oumry Killo (2003), to more recent works such as W. (2017) and a live recording from Forum de Beyrouth (2024), showcasing his evolution into orchestral arrangements and studio refinement . He has earned numerous accolades, including multiple Murex D’Or awards for Best Lebanese Singer, a Golden Lion for his “Karb Lee” video, and a Gold Medal from Studio el‑Fan, affirming his enduring appeal . Kfoury has also demonstrated prowess as a songwriter and composer, contributing original material to albums like Shu Ra’yak (2001), and continuing to shape his artistic direction with live orchestral performances.

On stage, Kfoury commands international attention: he has headlined shows across Lebanon (Beirut Forum of Culture & Arts with over 6,000 attendees in July 2024), Tunisia (a triumphant return to Carthage International Festival in July 2024, where he filled a 7,000–8,000-seat Roman amphitheatre and was celebrated for his authentic live vocals, well-curated setlists, improvisational mawals, and ability to ignite deep emotional connections ) , Saudi Arabia (a memorable duet with Michael Bublé performing “My Way” in Arabic and English at the 2025 Joy Awards) , Australia (his May 2023 two-night Sydney residency at Star Casino, both sold out), and North America and Dubai (as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival, with upcoming dates scheduled through 2025) . His performances are praised for their emotional intimacy, with fans often joining in chorus and applauding his decision to perform live (not lip-sync), as critics and audiences have noted at festivals like Carthage .

Outside the recording studio and spotlight, Kfoury has forged notable commercial partnerships. He secured a high-profile campaign with Pepsi Arabia, including the 2007 Bahr el Noujoum project, and engaged in a talent search collaboration with LG Electronics in 2009 . Demonstrating his affinity for sports, he founded the “Kfoury First In” tennis tournament in 2011 under his personal patronage .

In August 2011, Wael Kfoury launched a tennis tournament that runs under his patronage and his management team. The tournament is entitled "Kfoury First In". In May 2023, on the 13th and 14th, Wael Kfoury held two concerts in Sydney. The concerts were hosted in the Star Casino

Taken together, Wael Kfoury’s artistic trajectory reflects a multi-faceted career as a singer, songwriter, live performer, brand ambassador, and sports promoter—anchored in a deep emotional connection with audiences, a dedication to musical craft, and a broad cultural influence that spans the Arab world and beyond.

Personal life

Kfoury was born into a Melkite Greek Catholic family. He is married to Angela Bechara. From a young age, he demonstrated musical talent, singing in school and church before performing at social events in his hometown, where he earned the nickname “miracle child.” Despite his family’s initial reservations and financial struggles, he moved to Beirut at 16 to pursue music, supported by his aunt while studying solfège at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. His breakthrough came in 1992 when he won the prestigious Studio el‑Fan competition, marking the start of his ascent in the Arab music world .

Kfoury is notoriously private about his personal life but eventually confirmed in January 2012 that he had married Angela Bechara (sometimes spelled Bishara) in a largely secretive Civil Lebanese ceremony in Cyprus around 2010–2011. Their daughter Michele was born on September 10, 2011—a deliberate homage, as her name reflects his middle name, Michel—followed by their second daughter, Milana, on June 1, 2016 . Though deeply devoted to fatherhood, Kfoury and Bechara drifted apart; their eventual separation—rumored in 2012 and confirmed in the late 2010s—was marked by public custody disputes and contrasting narratives in the media .

In a candid 2021 interview, Angela revealed they had cohabited for a year before formalizing their marriage. She described their relationship as fraught with jealousy, emotional withdrawal, and her feeling “canceled” by Kfoury, a dynamic that led her to describe him as extremely controlling. She said:

“Marriage is the highest institution … but when one of them cancels the second, then marriage and partnership are nullified.” 

Despite the turmoil, both parents emphasize the importance of co‑parenting. Angela spoke about her emotional hardship during and after their split—acknowledging feelings of alienation, depression, and court bias against mothers—while striving to raise their daughters with resilience and strength . Kfoury, for his part, has spoken openly about his love and yearning for his daughters, especially during the COVID‑19 pandemic, dedicating songs and messages to express how he missed them deeply. In a September 2024 interview, he revealed he hadn’t seen them for a long time due to pandemic travel restrictions, stating: “I miss them a lot … I’m afraid of them, and they’re afraid of me” .

Even amid discord, there have been moments suggesting reconciliation and mutual respect. In 2013, he publicly dedicated a Murex D’Or award to both his wife and daughter, which was interpreted by some outlets as evidence of goodwill between them . This gesture aligned with his own statement on a TV show that although he no longer lived with Angela, he continued to insist on shared custody: “they live with them both even though the two no longer live in the same house” .

Overall, Wael Kfoury remains deeply committed to his role as a father. While he continues to shield the inner workings of his romantic life from the public gaze, his interviews and actions reflect a man who—despite personal hardship—is devoted to his daughters and values their well‑being above all.

Albums

• 1994: Shafouha w Sarou Y'oulou (شافوها وصارو يقولوا)
• 1995: Mayyet Fiki (ميت فيكي)
• 1996: Ba'd el Sentayn (بعد السنتين)
• 1997: Tna'shar Shaher (اتنعشر شهر)
• 1998: Shubbak el Houb (شباك الحب)
• 1999: Hikayat 'Asheq (حكاية عاشق)
• 2000: Sa'alouni (سألوني)
• 2001: Shou Ra'yak (شو رأيك)
• 2003: Oumry Killo (عمري كلو)
• 2004: Qorb Liyya (قرب ليى)
• 2005: Bhebak ana ktyr (بحبك أنا كتير)
• 2007: Byihenn (بيحنّ)
• 2010: Kfoury Classic perfect
• 2012: Ya Dalli Ya Rou7i (يا ضلي يا روحي)
• 2014: Al Gharam l mostahil (الغرام المستحيل)
• 2017: W.

References

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External links

• Wael Kfoury Official Fanclub at the Wayback Machine (archive index)