They were touted as Lebanon’s answer to reality TV icons the Kardashians, but the stars of “The Sisters” have been dismissed as not only unrepresentative but even worse — boring.
In the sleek apartment where their show is filmed, Alice, Nadine and Farah Abdel Aziz teeter around on high heels, in full make-up at all times.
They defend their show as a realistic glimpse into their lives, and a chance to show how smart Lebanese women are.
But Lebanese viewers seem to disagree, criticizing the series for focusing on a small sliver of the upper class and failing to provide the whiff of scandal that animates the infamous “Keeping up with the Kardashians” US reality show.
“The Sisters” began in March with much fanfare and local media coverage.
It usually features the slender siblings in Beirut’s most expensive restaurants, designer shops, and beauty salons, often with friends, each visit usually documented with a selfie or two.
“We want people to see what Lebanese women are like,” says Alice, 26, the trio’s self-appointed chief, her tiny figure draped in a bright blue cut-off top and dazzling jewelry.
And the sisters do represent a segment of Lebanon’s most ostentatious wives and daughters, who enjoy similarly extravagant excursions and designer styles.
But they say they still respect the Middle East’s values, which rule out the discussions of body parts, boyfriends and relationships that spice up the Kardashians’ hit series.
“They live in a certain environment, and we live in a certain environment. Their lifestyle is really different,” Farah, 22, said of the Kardashians.
Lebanon, a multi-confessional country of four million, is considered among the most liberal in the Arab world with women generally free to wear revealing attire.