Dubai schoolgirl reaches final of Arabs Got Talent

The Dubai schoolgirl Shamma Hamdan will be one of the 12 contestants squaring off in the final of Arabs Got Talent. The 18-year-old won the approval of the judges and the voting public and will perform live in the reality show's final episode on June 29.

In her semi-finals performance last week, Hamdan ditched the 1970s rocker style of her first audition - which saw her don a suede purple jacket, wavy short hair and a bandanna around her neck - for a brighter ensemble that included a gold jacket with sparkling sleeves and hair pulled back in a ponytail.

Her acoustic performance saw her continuing to mix Latin music grooves with Khaleeji music. The judges Nasser Al Kassabi, Najwa Karam and Ali Jaber were impressed at the young singer-songwriter's evolution since the show's early rounds.

"You were successful [in your performance]," Jaber told Hamdan. "We need more female singers with a voice like yours."

While declaring herself as one of Hamdan's biggest supporters, Karam offered Hamdan some performance tips. "Make sure you open your mouth more when you're singing," the Lebanese recording star said.

The Saudi comedian Al Kassabi praised Hamdan's individuality. "You have to stay true to yourself," he said. "You will have a bright future in the Gulf."

Arabs Got Talent is broadcast every Friday at 10.30pm on MBC4