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STARZPLAY CAPTURES THE REALITY BEHIND THE UAE’S MOST ELITE PROPERTY DEALS

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Exclusive Interview with Ben Bandari, CEO, BenCo. Real Estate & Sarah Serhan, Associate Partner, BenCo. Real Estate

Ben Bandari

Ben Bandari is a powerhouse in the UAE real estate industry, having closed over AED 25 billion in sales and earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most influential and successful brokers. Since starting his real estate career in the UAE back in 2002, He has earned some of the industry’s highest honours, including Number 1 Real Estate Broker in the UAE by Arabian Business, inclusion among the Top 150 Real Estate Icons by Finance World and the prestigious Agency of the Year award by The Entrepreneur. Beyond his brokerage success, Ben is also the star and executive producer of Million Dollar Listing UAE, the hit reality series that takes viewers inside the glamorous, high-stakes world of the UAE luxury real estate.

Sarah Serhan

In the UAE’s competitive luxury real estate market, Sarah Serhan has quickly established herself as one of its most dynamic rising talents. She is a luxury real estate agent and broker as well as an area specialist for Dubai Hills Estate, combining cultural awareness with deep market knowledge.  In her first year she had closed more than AED 100 million in sales and by 2024, she was averaging AED 3 million in transactions daily. Recognised by Ben Bandari for her drive and professionalism, she joined BenCo Real Estate in early 2024 where she now serves as Associate Partner.

Questions:

Beyond luxury listings, the show focuses heavily on ambition, rivalry, and pressure. Why do you think audiences connect so strongly with that side of the story?

    Ben Bandari: At its core, the show really isn’t about houses – it’s about people. While luxury listings are exciting and aspirational, it’s the universal themes of ambition, competition, pressure, and even self-doubt that truly resonated with STARZPLAY’s audiences in Season One once it aired. That strong response is exactly what paved the way for Season Two.

    Audiences connect because they’re seeing the authentic side of success – the wins, the stress, the rivalries, and the emotional ups and downs that come with working in a high-pressure market like the UAE. Partnering with STARZPLAY allowed us to bring this format closer to home for MENA viewers and ground it in a reality they recognise. Viewers aren’t just watching deals close; they’re watching real people who push themselves, make mistakes, and grow, and that honesty is what makes the story relatable, and why it continues to resonate even more strongly in Season Two.

    Sarah Serhan: As a newcomer to both the show and the industry, there is an undeniable pressure to prove yourself as a capable broker who can overcome challenges, obstacles and manage mental pressure. With that, you still need to balance the demands of work with time spent with family. What I believe truly resonates with the audience is the authenticity of that journey. When they see me, they see a human like everyone else, a woman with ambitions and goals, a woman with a family she must always put first, yet someone who continues to push forward, they connect on a much deeper level, probably reflecting their own struggles and aspirations.

    Mr. Ben Bandari, as a returning cast member and Executive Producer, how has your role evolved in shaping the direction and authenticity of Season 2?

    In Season Two, my role became much more hands-on. As Executive Producer, I was closely involved in shaping the narrative to make sure it truly reflected the realities of the UAE real estate market. The focus was on real pressure, negotiations, and consequences. I wanted viewers to see what the job actually demands. The goal was to let the stories unfold naturally and stay true to the people and the market we’re representing.

    Rivalries are a big part of the show; do they sharpen your edge or complicate your strategy?

    It’s genuinely a bit of both. Healthy rivalry pushes you to raise your standards and stay sharp, especially in a market as competitive as the UAE. I’ve learned to use competition as motivation while staying focused on the bigger picture, which is serving clients and closing deals. A great example of rivalry in the show is in Episodes 1 to 3, where Dr. Baydoun of Damac Properties makes Riad and I compete for a luxury property, “Villa Flora.”

    You’ve been part of the franchise since its early days in the UAE—how has the real estate market changed since Season 1, and how has that changed you?

    The market has matured dramatically. Buyers are more informed, expectations are higher, and transactions are far more complex. Since Season One, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE have evolved into a truly global luxury market. That evolution has forced me to grow personally as well as upgrade BenCo. to 70 plus staff and still growing. I’ve become more disciplined, more strategic, and more resilient. I’ve also setup a whole new business, Highgate Investments, which caters to investors looking at and acquiring properties, or designing and developing old, rundown ones. The business has skyrocketed with 8 ongoing projects so far.

    Ms. Sarah Serhan, joining a well-established cast can be intense, what was your mindset walking into Season 2?

    I was aware that my presence as a new face and a rapidly rising professional might be perceived as threatening to some of the other cast members. I anticipated questions like “who is she?” “Why is she here?” and “how did she get here?”. Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect from the others, but also, I never felt the need to prove myself to anyone. As I’ve always believed, my performance and my numbers speak for themselves.

    What message do you hope ambitious professionals, especially women, take from your journey?

    My core message is simple yet profoundly powerful: When you stay disciplined, rooted in self-belief, and fully committed to the work, you don’t need to prove anything. Your progress moves faster than doubt, and your results speak long before you ever have to.

    What surprised you most about operating in this environment, on or off camera?

    What surprised me the most was how intense the environment is, both on and off camera.  What I did not expect was how much discipline and emotional intelligence it would require to stay focused and professional while doing my job with cameras and a crew filming at all times. The mental fortitude required is truly immense, and it’s something you can only fully appreciate once you’re living it.

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    Burjeel Holdings Launches Preventive Cardiac Campaign Across Its UAE Hospital Network for World Heart Day

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    Burjeel Holdings launched “The Cardiograms of Love”, a World Heart Day campaign that transformed everyday expressions of affection into cardiogram-inspired visuals, encouraging people across the UAE to turn care for their loved ones into a proactive step towards heart health.

    The campaign was activated across five Burjeel Holdings facilities in the UAE, including Burjeel Hospital, Burjeel Day Surgery Center, and Burjeel Medical Center in Abu Dhabi, as well as Burjeel Specialty Hospital in Sharjah and Burjeel Royal Hospital in Al Ain.

    Built around a simple human insight, the campaign connected the words people use to express care for those closest to them with the rhythm of a heartbeat. Familiar messages such as “You mean the world to me” and “Stay healthy for me” were transformed into six distinct cardiogram illustrations, linking emotional expressions of love with the importance of preventive cardiac care.

    Each artwork represented a different personal relationship, including parent, partner, child, sibling and friend, and carried a unified call to action: “Love someone. Get their heart checked.”

    Rather than relying on a single campaign launch, “The Cardiograms of Love” was rolled out across Burjeel Holdings’ UAE network from 27 to 29 September, with participating facilities premiering different pairs of visuals before the wider network amplified and re-shared the remaining creatives. This created a coordinated, rolling campaign across the three-day period.

    Ahead of the public rollout, clinicians and administrative teams across the participating Burjeel facilities were briefed on the campaign and encouraged to share the visuals with people in their personal networks. The internal activation was supported by direct WhatsApp outreach to patients, while social media links connected audiences directly to cardiac screening booking channels.

    The campaign also invited members of the public to create their own personalised cardiogram messages using a simple digital prompt and share them with someone they loved. This extended the campaign beyond traditional healthcare communication, encouraging people to pass the message directly between family members and friends.

    Through the campaign, Burjeel Holdings highlighted the importance of regular cardiac assessments as part of preventive healthcare, particularly for people with recognised risk factors, including older adults and individuals with a family history of cardiovascular conditions.

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    SHEIN Opens the Doors to Fall/Winter 2026 with ‘The SHEIN Hotel’ at Al Habtoor Palace

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    SHEIN has unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026 collection in spectacular fashion by transforming Al Habtoor Palace Dubai into The SHEIN Hotel: Behind Every Door, an immersive fashion destination where more than 30 leading Middle Eastern fashion icons, regional tastemakers and industry insiders gathered to experience the brand’s latest seasonal showcase.

    Blending fashion with immersive storytelling, the event took guests beyond the traditional runway and into The SHEIN Hotel, a boutique hotel-inspired experience created to bring the FW26 collection to life. Upon arrival, guests “checked in” and received collectible room keys, inviting them to unlock five distinct fashion worlds, each representing a different mood and expression of personal style.

    The experience culminated on the runway, where the five fashion directions came to life through Power Dressing, Soft Glam, Retro Remix, Regal Maximalism and Modest Elegance. Each was anchored by a distinctive showcase look, from dramatic tailoring and pastel tulle to flowing capes, sculptural silhouettes and crystal embellishments, before all five styles came together for the finale.

    And the experience extends beyond the runway. Through SHEIN’s “See Now, Buy Now” approach, consumers can discover and shop the styles presented in Dubai through the SHEIN App and website. By searching Room26 on the SHEIN App, shoppers can explore curated new arrivals spanning all five FW26 fashion directions.

    At the heart of FW26 is the idea that women dress differently depending on how they feel, where they are and what the moment calls for. “The Key to Every Vibe” celebrates this freedom, with styles designed for every mood, from confident and bold to soft, playful, glamorous or understated. Through five distinct fashion directions, the collection gives women more ways to express their personal style and choose the look that feels right for them.

    Power Dressing leads with oversized blazers, sharp tailoring and structured outerwear that create a confident and purposeful look. Strong silhouettes make it a collection for moments when women want to make their presence felt.

    Soft Glam takes a gentler approach, using silk, lace, delicate knits and fluid silhouettes to combine comfort with femininity. The result is polished but relaxed, designed to move easily between different occasions.

    Retro Remix looks to the past for inspiration, bringing plaid, denim, collegiate knits and vintage details into a contemporary wardrobe. Familiar styles are reinterpreted for a playful approach to everyday dressing.

    For women looking to make a stronger statement, Regal Maximalism brings together crystals, metallic textures and rich detailing. Bold and expressive, the collection is designed for occasions when the outfit itself becomes part of the celebration.

    Modest Elegance completes the five directions with flowing maxi silhouettes, refined tailoring and graceful layering. Its elegant proportions offer a contemporary approach to modest fashion while maintaining a sense of poise and confidence.

    The five fashion worlds bring “The Key to Every Vibe” to life, giving women the freedom to move between different expressions of themselves and find a look that reflects the mood, moment or occasion.

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    BOUJEE LIFE BRINGS THE WARMTH OF THE MIDDLE EAST INTO THE HOME

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    Boujee Life, the UAE-based luxury candle brand, brings Middle Eastern fragrance influences into modern homes through its signature Aether Collection. Combining a small-batch of middle eastern scents with handcrafted marble vessels, the collection reflects the brand’s approach to quiet luxury: thoughtfully made pieces that become part of everyday life and remain in use through refilling programmes.

    Hand-poured in the UAE using natural wax blends, the collection comprises eight fragrances across floral, fresh, musky, spicy, and woody-earthy profiles. Each fragrance is developed

    in-house and aged before pouring, with notes including saffron, rose, amber and oud lending depth and warmth to the range.

    Named after the celestial fifth element of ancient philosophy, Aether draws on the idea of escape through scent. The collection invites people to shape the atmosphere of their surroundings, whether preparing a home for guests or creating a quieter setting at the end of the day.

    Among the collection is Zahra, which combines pink saffron, Bulgarian rose, amber and white musk in a Rosa Onyx vessel. Zafran pairs saffron and geranium petals with amber and aged woods, housed in Ancient Green marble. Each scent has its own character, complemented by the colour and natural markings of its vessel.

    Made from solid blocks of natural stone, the vessels are individually numbered, with variations in veining and texture ensuring each piece is unique. Their sculptural forms make them a considered addition to an interior, lending a decorative presence to a dining table, bedside or bathroom even when unlit.

    Boujee Life’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its refill programme, which preserves the beauty and purpose of each vessel for years to come. Customers in the UAE can return empty vessels to be professionally cleaned and refilled with their chosen fragrance at approximately half the original candle price. The service allows a favourite piece to remain part of the home through every refill, while the vessels can also be repurposed as decorative elements.

    The collection’s connection to everyday rituals extends to hosting. Fragrance can welcome guests before the first conversation, while candlelight adds warmth to a shared meal. Boujee Life draws on these familiar expressions of hospitality to create a sense of occasion at home.

    With the festive season approaching, the candles also offer a distinctive option for personal and corporate gifting. Each recipient receives a vessel with its own natural character, designed to be enjoyed and refilled long after the celebrations.

    For hotels, restaurants and spas, the collection offers opportunities to incorporate fragrance and natural stone into guest settings and gifting. Interior designers can also introduce the vessels as finishing touches within residential and hospitality spaces.

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