Rita Hayek

Rita Hayek
Rita Hayek seen on the set of Feu Rouge
Born	Rita Elie Hayek (1987-10-09) October 9, 1987 Beirut, Lebanon
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2005–present

Rita Elie Hayek (Arabic: ريتا حايك‎‎; born October 9, 1987, in Beirut) is a Lebanese actress.

Hayek (Hayek is Arabic for "Weaver") studied acting at the Institut National des Beaux Arts (National Institute Of Fine Arts or INBA), at Beirut Lebanese University. In 2011, she took acting courses at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in Hollywood.

Rita had her first television role in 2005, starring in the drama series A March Dream (Arabic: حلم آذار‎‎). A March Dream was a drama production portraying the contemporary events of 2005 .^[1] Hayek took on major roles in several other television series in that decade . In 2008 she starred in Say God-willing, (Arabic: قول انشالله‎‎). In 2009 she played the character Nancy in a mini-series entitled: Secret Stitch-Up, (Arabic: قطبة مخفية‎‎). In the miniseries, 'Nancy' is a seductress who attempts to sabotage the relationship between her sister and her brother-in-law.

In 2010 Hayek starred in a television series called For Her Eyes (Arabic: من أجل عينيها‎‎), a drama portraying a traditional Lebanese family.^[2] During the same year (2010), she played a leading role in the Ramadan drama series - Loves Other Side (Arabic: للحب وجهٌ آخر‎‎).

In 2010 Hayek had a main part in the drama musical A Well Bred Family (Arabic: عيلة متعوب عليها ‎‎). Next she appeared in two other TV series shown in 2011; Fake Keepsake (Arabic: متل الكذب‎‎) and An Escape (Arabic: هروب‎‎) .

A quote from Hayek about the An Escape series follows ^[3]

...The screenplay is by Claudia Marchalian, directed by Milad Abi Raad and produced by the CC Production Company. I filmed this series before flying to America. "Escape" is a social drama that tackles the issue of immigration from a Lebanese perspective. It portrays a middle-class Lebanese family which has three daughters. The daughters are played by Carmen Labes, Pierrette Katrib and myself, the male lead character is played by Elie Metri. I play the role of daughter Suha, who dreams of performing on the stages of International theaters after studying ballet and becoming versed in all styles of dancing. The country's climate, stands between her and her ambitions, so she forms a wedding band while her fiancé takes on several jobs so they can make ends meet. Then, they decide to emigrate to try and make their dreams come true.....

In 2011, despite being 23 years young, she had conquered the Lebanese television industry with her acting ability and looks. By 2011 Hayek had eleven series credited to her name. In 2011 the latest was called That's What Zahia Said, it was broadcast on the station New TV in Lebanon.

In addition to her career as an actress, Hayek is a television presenter, appearing on a Pan Arab talk show, Rotana Cafe, from 2006 until 2009.

Rita has also been a spokesperson for Nivea cosmetics in the Middle East. In the summer of 2010 and the summer of 2011 she appeared in the Nivea Angelstar advertising campaign.

She has been selected to star in an influential play by the name of High Heels. The play portrays social dynamics in a way that is unusual in the region.^[4]

References