Debate Over Pay in Egyptian Drama Resurfaces Amid Ramadan Season
January 6, 2026173 AufrufeLesezeit: 2 Minuten
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The debate surrounding the salaries of stars in Egyptian drama has come to the forefront once again, following an indirect exchange between artists Ahmed El-Awadhi and Mohamed Adel Imam regarding the title of the highest-paid artist for the Ramadan drama season. This exchange has evoked memories of similar controversies in recent years within the artistic community.
From Mohamed Ramadan to El-Awadhi and Imam
The current discourse was reignited by El-Awadhi's claim that he is the highest-paid artist in Egyptian drama, to which Mohamed Adel Imam responded by asserting that his father, the renowned Adel Imam, remains the highest-paid despite his absence from the stage for several years. This back-and-forth echoes a previous period when artist Mohamed Ramadan also raised the same topic, boasting about his earnings, which led to significant criticism and a prolonged silence on the issue of star salaries in public discourse.
Public Questions on Artistic Value
The controversy has sparked extensive interaction on social media, where followers have questioned the rationale behind boasting about high salaries and how these figures correlate with the quality of artistic content, especially given the increasing competition in drama and the variety of works available.
El-Shenawy: Salary Differences Have Narrowed
In this context, art critic Tarek El-Shenawy stated in an exclusive interview with "Erm News" that the salaries of artists, particularly those in the top tier, have significantly converged in recent years, suggesting that previous disparities are no longer as pronounced. This shift has contributed to the renewed focus on the topic of the "highest-paid" artist.
The Highest Salary... A Marketing Tool, Not a Measure of Success
El-Shenawy added that discussions about salaries are no longer unusual; they often serve as promotional and marketing tools to advertise dramatic works as the biggest or most important, without necessarily indicating their artistic value. He emphasized that a high salary does not inherently mean a better or more impactful work, noting that true success is measured by audience engagement and content quality, rather than the figures circulating behind the scenes.
Advertising That Can Backfire
El-Shenawy warned that an overemphasis on the idea of the "highest-paid" can sometimes lead to counterproductive outcomes, as it may inflate audience expectations, potentially harming the artistic work if it fails to meet the associated hype.
