Being an Artist’s Mom. Interview With Munifa Chalhoub

by Alexandra Mansilla

Being an Artist’s Mom. Interview With Munifa Chalhoub, Ali Cha’aban’s Mother

24 Sept 2024

We admire outstanding people and often learn something new from them. But behind every creative person are those who taught them, witnessed their highs and lows, and stood by them through all phases of their lives — their parents.

One of the creatives we truly admire for his talent, creativity, and kindness (among many other qualities) is Ali Cha’aban. We have always been curious about who he was years ago, so we decided to ask the person who knows him best: his mother, Munifa Chalhoub.

— What was Ali like as a child?

— Most beautiful child, quiet, and never moved from my lap as a baby. When he was born, I always said, “I touched the sky with my bare hands.” He was an “adult baby”, never had sleep cycles, and never woke me up.

— How did he perform in school?

— A very intelligent kid with high grades and a bookworm, as I could simply describe him. He started taking an interest in sports, such as Ice Skating (Figure Skating; yes, he used to dance on ice before he switched to Hockey)

— What was his behaviour like during his teenage years?

— I could recall Ali having a rebellious phase around his adolescence when he started wearing black nail polish and asked me to dye his hair black. He was definitely going through his “goth phase,” which he grew out of, I think, towards his second year of University.

— Can you recall a moment when you realised Ali was definitely going to work in the creative industry?

— No other than him taking art classes seriously in school that were mandatory, we didn’t think he would become an artist.

Munifa Chalhoub

— What did Ali’s childhood room look like?

— The colour red was overtaken; he was a fond collector of cherry cokes and used to collect all types of cans. Other than that, and A LOT of books, Ali has read over 100 books and his comic books that he used to collect so religiously. I think he will hate me for saying this, but Ali collected MTV programs and used to be a Virgin Megastore shopper to find all the DVDs for these programs. The collections are all in our house in Lebanon, and I have never thrown away anything.

— Parents often have sweet nicknames for us. What did you call Ali? Do you still call him that?

— So there is a nickname I gave him as a kid who saw a Chinese telephone as he grew up. My nickname for him was “Baby Aloushi” as he grew up, and his little cousins, nieces, and nephews wanted to call him the same but couldn’t pronounce the word. The nickname has become “Balouuti,” which was when little 2-year-olds were trying to say “Baby Aloushi,” and now I call him “Balouuti.”

— How close are you with Ali? How often do you talk or meet up? Was it ever different?

— I am very close with my son. We talk almost daily when I am in Kuwait. I visit him long twice a year, staying over for three months and organising his life.

— What did Ali want to be when he grew up?

— Surprisingly, Ali wanted to be a “chef,” and I refused. He also had an aspiration to be an astronaut. Before Ali switched to Anthropology, he was doing pre-med.

Ali Cha'aban

— While Ali was in school, you probably had ideas about his future studies. How did you envision his future career? If it is different from what he is doing now, how do you feel about his choice?

— We wanted Ali to become a doctor, and he proved me and his dad wrong by taking anthropology and doing a minor in Mass Media Law to kind of silence us; his dad didn’t think he would be able to do anything with his Anthropology Bachelor. When people ask me how I feel about his choices, the word “proud” is an understatement and doesn’t serve him justice.

— What traits do you think Ali inherited from you?

— Ali has inherited my blue eyes, and it stops there. Ali and I have different upbringings, but the only inheritance I feel Ali took from me is his kind heart. I have taught my kids that the biggest hurt is that one that comes from the tongue, and Ali has that silver tongue.

— Do you remember any significant conversations you had with Ali at any age? What were they about?

— My son and I are always in an ongoing debate, and it makes me happy. I try to humble my son with heritage and religion, and he tries to educate me with acceptance and forgiveness. I can’t recall, but most mothers see their kids on a daily basis, while I see my kid every three months. S, I don’t focus on conversations; I focus on fulfilling my eyes with his presence.

— Can you recall a tough period in Ali’s life when he really needed you, and you were there for him?

— As of late, when Ali’s bipolar worsened, he requested I come for a long time and asked me to observe and not to comment. Seeing him progress in the past three months has been heaven.

— Remember a time when Ali was a huge support to you when you really needed it?

— When my eldest daughter Rasha passed, Ali the youngest had to step up to be the big brother to all his siblings. When Ali’s Dad passed away in 2021, Ali had to do the same thing, and be the father and grandfather to my children and their grandchildren.

Ali, Rasha and Munifa Chalhoub

— How would you describe Ali in three words?

— Loving, helpful and reliable (a very hard trait).

— What is Ali’s favourite dish that you make?

— Lasagne (he recently made it at work for his coworkers to try; I must say I am proud of myself). Ali calls it Lasagne with a Lebanese twist.

— What is something Ali can't do that you find amusing?

— I asked him this question, and he asked me this question: Ali is a know-it-all; I have never seen my son “not or can’t do something.”

— Is there an item in Ali’s wardrobe that you gave him?

— I remember Ali was in love with a beret that I bought him when he was six years old; he wore it till he was 10. It was a funeral in the house when he lost it. I feel like Ali detached from sentimental things ever since.

— What is a fun fact about Ali that only you know? It is time to spill the beans!

— When he lost his science book and he lied, that was the only time Ali was ever reprimanded because he forgot his science book at school. Ali was yelled at, not because of the homework but because he LIED.

— Why did he always wear penny loafers?

— Because I liked him preppy no matter what; the irony is he literally has over five penny loafers now.

by Alexandra Mansilla