What do you think?
Rate this book
Sneaky Showbiz
Sneaky Showbiz
You've heard the rumors. You've seen the headlines. But now it's time to reveal the salacious, sinfully intoxicating world of Sneaky Showbiz.
*Up-and-coming models sabotaging current industry darlings by casting sickness spells on them.
*Actors falling victim to itching spells cast to make them miss auditions.
*Fake influencers using hyena brains to manipulate their partners.
*And so many more devious acts!
The torrid love affair between Moroccan showbiz and sorcery has a long and storied history. With this power, villains run amok within their tight-knit circles. From masters of manipulation and backstabbing competitors to ruthless rivals, cruelties that would put the world's most hardened criminals to shame thrive. The underbelly of this oft-thought rich and enviable world is not what it seems.
This dark hidden world within Moroccan society even has a queen - R'kia, a mysterious woman notorious for her ability to bring her deepest and most sadistic desires to fruition. No one is safe from her wrath, and no one unfortunate enough to stand in her path is left unscathed.
Sneaky Showbiz exposes the dark side of fame where money, sex, and power rule. This world was largely unknown to the public . . . until now! Discover the once clandestine escapades that make up this secret world as you penetrate the well-crafted façade and see for yourself what lies beneath.
This titillating exposé sheds light on the entertainment world's dirty little secrets. Author Simo Ben discovered firsthand what Moroccan showbiz keeps hidden, who the key players are, and how they really "earned" their fame and fortune. This tell-all book unveils the riveting true story of how black magic has infiltrated every aspect of Moroccan society and turned the world of showbiz on its head.
Peek behind the curtain and discover the secrets of the intricately crafted façade that is Sneaky Showbiz!
You've heard the rumors. You've seen the headlines. But now it's time to reveal the salacious, sinfully intoxicating world of Sneaky Showbiz.
*Up-and-coming models sabotaging current industry darlings by casting sickness spells on them.
*Actors falling victim to itching spells cast to make them miss auditions.
*Fake influencers using hyena brains to manipulate their partners.
*And so many more devious acts!
The torrid love affair between Moroccan showbiz and sorcery has a long and storied history. With this power, villains run amok within their tight-knit circles. From masters of manipulation and backstabbing competitors to ruthless rivals, cruelties that would put the world's most hardened criminals to shame thrive. The underbelly of this oft-thought rich and enviable world is not what it seems.
This dark hidden world within Moroccan society even has a queen - R'kia, a mysterious woman notorious for her ability to bring her deepest and most sadistic desires to fruition. No one is safe from her wrath, and no one unfortunate enough to stand in her path is left unscathed.
Sneaky Showbiz exposes the dark side of fame where money, sex, and power rule. This world was largely unknown to the public . . . until now! Discover the once clandestine escapades that make up this secret world as you penetrate the well-crafted façade and see for yourself what lies beneath.
This titillating exposé sheds light on the entertainment world's dirty little secrets. Author Simo Ben discovered firsthand what Moroccan showbiz keeps hidden, who the key players are, and how they really "earned" their fame and fortune. This tell-all book unveils the riveting true story of how black magic has infiltrated every aspect of Moroccan society and turned the world of showbiz on its head.
Peek behind the curtain and discover the secrets of the intricately crafted façade that is Sneaky Showbiz!
- GenresWitchcraftMorocco
254 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2022
18 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Simo Ben
1 book16 followersSimo Benbachir (aka Simo Ben) is an award-winning journalist simultaneously lauded and feared for his brutal honesty and unshakeable integrity, whether interviewing celebrities or delivering bold opinions and fresh points of view to a captivated Arabic audience. As the first Moroccan TV reporter to cover prestigious Hollywood events such as the Grammy Awards and the Oscars, Simo has earned a reputation for being a truth-teller who doesn't hold back.
Simo Ben is also a Moroccan showbiz star who rose through the ranks on the strength of his own merit. He has an aversion to people who believe they should be the center of the world and seem to exhibit selective memory once they reach the heights of fame and stardom. His no-holds-barred style of reporting has opened the doors to the world’s most significant events, given him access to global superstars, and even inspired some of Hollywood’s biggest Moroccan stars like RedOne, Sanaa Hamri, and French Montana to publicly speak in Darija, a Moroccan dialect of Arabic. His controversial interviews have exposed fake social media influencers and models, and his unique interview style inspires interviewees to divulge their secrets.
Today, Simo calls Los Angeles home. He is a TV correspondent for many Middle Eastern channels and hosts the “African Americans” TV show on the French channel Ubiznews TV. Additionally, he is a senior correspondent for Arab World Planet Panorama, the number one website globally.
Wildly popular in the global sphere, Simo has been ranked as the most popular Moroccan TV personality by several European magazines. He’s one of the new faces of Kastiani magazine, where he’s described as “The Star Reporter, The Star of Reporters.” Version Homme magazine also lists him among the most influential Moroccan media personalities, and he graces their cover page on occasion. In 2017, he was awarded the Brukmer Press Honorary Award in Belgium.
The outspoken reporter strives to live his truth and expose the hypocrisy saturating the entertainment industry in developing countries. His mission continues, and he has no plans to stop until every fake influencer, con, faux celebrity, and Hollywood-wannabe egomaniac in the underdeveloped world becomes publicly known for manipulating the younger generations that worship and adore their every online post.
Buckle up! There’s a long road of Moroccan drama ahead!
Simo Ben is also a Moroccan showbiz star who rose through the ranks on the strength of his own merit. He has an aversion to people who believe they should be the center of the world and seem to exhibit selective memory once they reach the heights of fame and stardom. His no-holds-barred style of reporting has opened the doors to the world’s most significant events, given him access to global superstars, and even inspired some of Hollywood’s biggest Moroccan stars like RedOne, Sanaa Hamri, and French Montana to publicly speak in Darija, a Moroccan dialect of Arabic. His controversial interviews have exposed fake social media influencers and models, and his unique interview style inspires interviewees to divulge their secrets.
Today, Simo calls Los Angeles home. He is a TV correspondent for many Middle Eastern channels and hosts the “African Americans” TV show on the French channel Ubiznews TV. Additionally, he is a senior correspondent for Arab World Planet Panorama, the number one website globally.
Wildly popular in the global sphere, Simo has been ranked as the most popular Moroccan TV personality by several European magazines. He’s one of the new faces of Kastiani magazine, where he’s described as “The Star Reporter, The Star of Reporters.” Version Homme magazine also lists him among the most influential Moroccan media personalities, and he graces their cover page on occasion. In 2017, he was awarded the Brukmer Press Honorary Award in Belgium.
The outspoken reporter strives to live his truth and expose the hypocrisy saturating the entertainment industry in developing countries. His mission continues, and he has no plans to stop until every fake influencer, con, faux celebrity, and Hollywood-wannabe egomaniac in the underdeveloped world becomes publicly known for manipulating the younger generations that worship and adore their every online post.
Buckle up! There’s a long road of Moroccan drama ahead!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 2, 2022
Moroccan Craziness!
Sneaky Showbiz is more of a spiritual journey of the author, which takes her through exciting experiences and people and their craziness of using black magic to go through all issues in life. I couldn’t put it down.
Sneaky Showbiz is more of a spiritual journey of the author, which takes her through exciting experiences and people and their craziness of using black magic to go through all issues in life. I couldn’t put it down.
September 10, 2022
This book is fascinating!! Entertaining, informative, and really shines a light on how damaging and toxic this culture of fake perfection delivered via social media has become.
November 14, 2022
Sneaky Showbiz is a book based on magic; to be more specific, black magic. The author has highlighted some of the sad and horrifying realities in his book. Showbiz is the ever popular and ever-growing industry and there’s a lot of competition in it. Many actresses and models fall prey to the terrible spells that are cast by the magicians so the jealous models and actors can rise. The jealous models pay a heavy amount to such magicians to cast a strong and agonising spell over their rival so she/he is unable to show up at the auditions/shootings. Which ultimately means that the jealous one gets the part. This has become an ever-growing issue nowadays and more and more people are inclined towards such shortcuts to success rather than working hard towards their goals.
It took Simo Ben seven years to compile this book which will give you an insight into the black magic that can easily destroy many innocent lives. There’s this famous character; R’kia from Morocco who is famous for such acts and it’s hard to save yourself from her because she’s that dangerous. Ben has highlighted the hypocrisy of Moroccan society and has added examples to better explain to his readers why his expose is named Sneaky Showbiz.
Simo Ben has a great writing style and it’s intelligible. He has worked hard to bring forward Sneaky Showbiz to uncover some of the harsh realities of Moroccan society. He has certainly mentioned some eye-opening facts that one is not able to see through the naked eye.
All in all, a great read with so much depth, detail and sad realities.
It took Simo Ben seven years to compile this book which will give you an insight into the black magic that can easily destroy many innocent lives. There’s this famous character; R’kia from Morocco who is famous for such acts and it’s hard to save yourself from her because she’s that dangerous. Ben has highlighted the hypocrisy of Moroccan society and has added examples to better explain to his readers why his expose is named Sneaky Showbiz.
Simo Ben has a great writing style and it’s intelligible. He has worked hard to bring forward Sneaky Showbiz to uncover some of the harsh realities of Moroccan society. He has certainly mentioned some eye-opening facts that one is not able to see through the naked eye.
All in all, a great read with so much depth, detail and sad realities.
November 15, 2022
First off, wow! This book left me speechless throughout multiple points and reveals shocking revelations on dark magic's hold on Moroccan society. I have only really heard about Morocco through picturesque views of the beaches, the crowded markets, the rugs as well as the other societal taboos, but originally wrote off those taboos.
But I was surprised how Simo Ben's exposé sheds light onto what happens behind closed doors with people who might be friendly to your face but are bad mouthing you and trying to ruin you behind your back. What a shock!
The author's voice is truly magical (pun intended!) in the way that his conversational tone weaves the stories together and makes it feel as though the reader is in the room with the author. Simo Ben's connection to the story main sorceress creates playful back-and-forth dialogue that will make laugh, shudder, and at some points wince as they discuss the harsh realities that are connected to the seedy entertainment industry.
Note, this book lays everything out there and is not for the faint of heart, so keep that in mind when observing some of the content warnings. Overall, if you're looking to a book to 1) blow your mind 2) offer you a new perspective that might challenge previously held stereotypes and 3) help you escape from your everyday troubles, then this book is for you.
But I was surprised how Simo Ben's exposé sheds light onto what happens behind closed doors with people who might be friendly to your face but are bad mouthing you and trying to ruin you behind your back. What a shock!
The author's voice is truly magical (pun intended!) in the way that his conversational tone weaves the stories together and makes it feel as though the reader is in the room with the author. Simo Ben's connection to the story main sorceress creates playful back-and-forth dialogue that will make laugh, shudder, and at some points wince as they discuss the harsh realities that are connected to the seedy entertainment industry.
Note, this book lays everything out there and is not for the faint of heart, so keep that in mind when observing some of the content warnings. Overall, if you're looking to a book to 1) blow your mind 2) offer you a new perspective that might challenge previously held stereotypes and 3) help you escape from your everyday troubles, then this book is for you.
November 15, 2022
As an American, my mind was blown reading this book. I didn’t grow up learning too much about Moroccan culture, but this book definitely presents Moroccan culture in an interesting light. Usually, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to things about witchcraft, sorcery, voodoo, etc. but this book had my full undivided attention.
It is a shockingly entertaining read about the lengths that people go to in order to get what they want without working hard for it. The conversational dialogue makes the stories digestible, quick to get through, and hilarious to read in your head to where it feels like the narrator is in your head as you read along.
The transitions from story to story leave you wanting to keep turning the page until you realize that you’ve reached the end. Simo Ben’s release totally blew away any expectations and can’t wait to see what else this author has up his sleeve. Think twice before eating a stranger’s couscous…now, I know I will.
It is a shockingly entertaining read about the lengths that people go to in order to get what they want without working hard for it. The conversational dialogue makes the stories digestible, quick to get through, and hilarious to read in your head to where it feels like the narrator is in your head as you read along.
The transitions from story to story leave you wanting to keep turning the page until you realize that you’ve reached the end. Simo Ben’s release totally blew away any expectations and can’t wait to see what else this author has up his sleeve. Think twice before eating a stranger’s couscous…now, I know I will.
December 2, 2022
I've lived in the US for over three decades and have never read such an honest and brave book about my culture. Thumbs UP to the Moroccan author Simo Benbachir whose frankness disturbs many of my fellow citizens.
November 15, 2022
Great book!
Simo Ben’s writing style is intriguing, one of a kind. In his book, Sneaky Showbiz he exposes you into the world of Moroccan show business. This book reveals what lies beneath a society centered around appearances and the dark, sinister, and often supernatural activities being done to keep people in power. Not only does the book expose the fascinating dark realm of sorcery, but it also examines the hypocritical social customs of Moroccan society and the numerous explicit and hidden horrors that exist within it.
There is one woman that binds all of this together, R'kia, the queen of Moroccan sorcery, a mysterious woman who elites go to to help them carry out their dirty deeds and seek advice.
I really don’t want to get into the story beyond this point because I want this fascinating piece of art to unfold like magic right before your eyes, as it did mine. Just read the book and enjoy the story for yourself. I will add that this book was very interesting to read. The descriptions were perfect, and it was very easy to visualize the scenes. I loved the originality and uniqueness of this story. There was nothing predictable in this book.
Highly Recommend!
Simo Ben’s writing style is intriguing, one of a kind. In his book, Sneaky Showbiz he exposes you into the world of Moroccan show business. This book reveals what lies beneath a society centered around appearances and the dark, sinister, and often supernatural activities being done to keep people in power. Not only does the book expose the fascinating dark realm of sorcery, but it also examines the hypocritical social customs of Moroccan society and the numerous explicit and hidden horrors that exist within it.
There is one woman that binds all of this together, R'kia, the queen of Moroccan sorcery, a mysterious woman who elites go to to help them carry out their dirty deeds and seek advice.
I really don’t want to get into the story beyond this point because I want this fascinating piece of art to unfold like magic right before your eyes, as it did mine. Just read the book and enjoy the story for yourself. I will add that this book was very interesting to read. The descriptions were perfect, and it was very easy to visualize the scenes. I loved the originality and uniqueness of this story. There was nothing predictable in this book.
Highly Recommend!
December 9, 2022
Moroccan showbiz is a place that's hard to describe without sounding like a rollercoaster, and so far, I'm experiencing the extremes' pitching and lurching at least as much as I did while reading Simo's book. I had heard a lot of bizarre tales about sorcery originating from Morocco.
December 7, 2022
I find this book to be raw, much like the events it recounts, as a Moroccan-American. The words are direct and occasionally crude. Simo Benbachir tells it how it is. I won't be shocked to see any retaliation against the author soon because Simo weaves the madness he had encountered and, as any Moroccan, including myself, experienced when I was growing up there.
December 4, 2022
Morocco: The Sorcery Land
Sneaky Showbiz will take you on a trip to Morocco between magic and power, dangerous liaisons, and how far Moroccans could go to make their lives easier. I’ve been told that Morocco is called “The sorcery land,” one of the reasons I picked up this title to read it.
Sneaky Showbiz will take you on a trip to Morocco between magic and power, dangerous liaisons, and how far Moroccans could go to make their lives easier. I’ve been told that Morocco is called “The sorcery land,” one of the reasons I picked up this title to read it.
December 19, 2022
I can't wait for you all to read it!
November 23, 2022
This was a great book and it was very enlightening. I came to know about the Moroccan black magic practices because of this book. I knew that Moroccan women are oppressed, I knew this because of a novel that I had read this year, but this book gave me more details about the oppression that Moroccan women face. It also gave an account of how hard it is to be a journalist in Morocco. And most importantly, the book spoke about how celebrities and common people alike use magic to do all sorts of things like break the bond between two lovers, make a man impotent, make your husband love only you, etc. The reasons behind women resorting to magic were also discussed in the book. The book also revolved around R'kia who is regarded as the queen of Moroccan sorcery. This is a must read for everyone. Especially, I would recommend this book to people who are interested in magic, journalism, feminism, etc.
November 30, 2022
Great Moroccan book, full of crazy stories!
December 9, 2022
My first motivation for reading Sneaky Showbiz was to learn more about the entertainment endeavors of Moroccan celebs. I left Morocco decades ago, and I hear from time to time what these superstars may go from selling their bodies to all their cunning games and mystical spells. To my astonishment, I was fascinated by Simo Benbachir’s reporting of the truth that many Moroccans try to suppress. His easy and informative style made me read the complete in one weekend. As a Moroccan-American, I’m proud that we have such an honest journalist coming from a world where the freedom of speech is not fully granted yet.
December 18, 2022
Simo Ben is a master at telling stories. He also has a talent for simply conveying complicated yet basic subjects. And the way he presents it, you know, just hits right to the core.
December 13, 2022
Painfully Moroccan Honest book
God bless a man who is not afraid to inform the entire world about the widespread use of sorcery in several African and Middle Eastern nations, including Morocco, where it is more common than anywhere else on the planet. Men are instructed not to do this. I'm so grateful that this one did. I wholeheartedly suggest this book to everyone who still recognizes the humanity in the technology age we now live in, not only journalists.
God bless a man who is not afraid to inform the entire world about the widespread use of sorcery in several African and Middle Eastern nations, including Morocco, where it is more common than anywhere else on the planet. Men are instructed not to do this. I'm so grateful that this one did. I wholeheartedly suggest this book to everyone who still recognizes the humanity in the technology age we now live in, not only journalists.
December 7, 2022
I could almost hear the author's voice while reading this book. It just seemed so honest. If you like his reporting as I do ( If you're Moroccan, I'm sure you enjoyed at least one of Simo Benbachir's controversial interviews in Morocco), you will enjoy this book, although it's sometimes challenging.
December 11, 2022
An ideal read for a fan of Morocco but also ideal for lovers of journalism and travel books. The author Simo Ben is simply the height of Moroccan journalism!
December 22, 2022
An eye opener to how common black magic is used among Moroccan society especially among celebrities. This author is very brave for telling his story and I applaud the courage of Simo Ben. We need more authors with the bravery and willingness to shed light on this darkside of the Moroccan entertainment industry.
December 19, 2022
This book is an eye-opener, and it brought me to tears, reminding me of my childhood in Morocco. I left the kingdom with my parents when I was five years old, and I’ve never returned. It’s worth every second it takes to read it. Sorcery is part of Moroccan culture; my family suffered from it back then. Sneaky showbiz is the book everyone who plans to visit Morocco should read.
December 23, 2022
Not at all what you’d expect. This book is a shocking expose into the realities of Moroccan society. Things you’d never ever dream about happen behind doors to get people where they are. To those who are unfamiliar with Moroccan culture and even those who know it will this book is an enlightening read that will peel back the veil and reveal all of the dirty secrets beneath it. It’s a twist of both the modern and the supernatural, because who would suspect black magic? Witchcraft and sorcery and…stardom? Fascinating and thrilling all at the same time, this is a topic I never would’ve thought about before, and definitely a look into a very different culture. It will make you think and question everything you perceive to be true.
December 12, 2022
Simo Ben tells excellent tales. I finished reading the book in one day. I adored the way Simo organized the many chapters and their content, blending and fusing the Moroccan queen of sorcery with his account of working as a journalist there—a country that, upon further research, is inaccessible and lacks freedom of speech. Looking forward to reading more of this author's novels.
December 27, 2022
I’ve been to Morocco three times and witnessed many crazy stories there.
People use witchcraft for various reasons; some do it to ward off their adversaries, keep their marriages loving and devoted to them, or undo the effects of the evil eye so they can continue to be immune to it. Others use it to harm others, causing them to lose their relationships with their loved ones, making it difficult for them to find employment, or simply robbing them of their well-being. However, their lack of confidence in destiny and the fact that their minds are clouded with jealousy, hatred, and greed are why people even consider using black magic.
People use witchcraft for various reasons; some do it to ward off their adversaries, keep their marriages loving and devoted to them, or undo the effects of the evil eye so they can continue to be immune to it. Others use it to harm others, causing them to lose their relationships with their loved ones, making it difficult for them to find employment, or simply robbing them of their well-being. However, their lack of confidence in destiny and the fact that their minds are clouded with jealousy, hatred, and greed are why people even consider using black magic.
December 30, 2022
Finally someone unveils this hypocritical society!
I love the fact that the author mentioned how all these artists’ careers are prohibited by the religion over there in Morocco. This book is a wild ride that will leave your jaw on the floor. The things mentioned in this book are well-known over there, but they never dare to speak about it out loud. Bravo Simo!
I love the fact that the author mentioned how all these artists’ careers are prohibited by the religion over there in Morocco. This book is a wild ride that will leave your jaw on the floor. The things mentioned in this book are well-known over there, but they never dare to speak about it out loud. Bravo Simo!
January 5, 2023
Be careful with Moroccan black magic!!!
This book was soooo creepy! I had no idea black magic was this common in Morocco and other parts of the world. I know Morocco is a huge spot for travel, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some people travel there to cast spells…
This book was soooo creepy! I had no idea black magic was this common in Morocco and other parts of the world. I know Morocco is a huge spot for travel, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some people travel there to cast spells…
October 24, 2023
I apologize in advance, this is gonna be a tad long, and unlike the other reviewers, I am not a paid bot.
My decision to pick up this book was largely influenced by one of my favorite content creators, Maya Dbaich. She not only recommended it but also featured the author as the first guest on her new podcast. My curiosity got the best of me, and I downloaded the book on my Kindle.
If you're expecting a work of high literary caliber, you're going to be dissapointed. While the book is marketed as being written in a conversational english, it’s still lacking strong editing.
My biggest issue with the book is about the narrator, who emerges as profoundly unlikable (and seemingly aware of it). Riddled with insecurities stemming from factors as trivial as not having been born with blonde hair and blue eyes, he’s also very vulgar. His self-loathing extends to a palpable aversion to all things Moroccan, and it becomes clear that professional counseling could help him come to terms with these deeply-rooted issues, wink wink.
The narrator repeatedly emphasizes his prominence in the Arabic entertainment industry, a big claim since, prior to this reading, I had never heard of him. A brief online search, however, revealed his notoriety for stirring controversy, particularly in connection with one of the most significant scandals in recent Moroccan pop history - "l'affaire Hamza mon BB." This scandal involved a Snapchat account that leaked defamatory content about Moroccan celebrities. While this led to the arrest of several prominent local figures, including the Batma sisters and Soukaina Glamour, the author, Simo Ben Bachir, chose to flee the country, never to return. He is allegedly the primary source of the rumors propagated by Hamza mon BB. A poor man’s Perez Hilton, if you want.
It's important to emphasize how ironic that the very "celebrities" he insults and holds in low regard all throughout the book are the same individuals who once captivated his obsession to the point where he felt compelled to create a Snapchat account to gossip about them. Once again, THERAPY MIGHT HELP.
Let's come back to the book.
First annoyance already stated: the man is tiresome. I really feel for that Sorceress that had to endure him babbling for weeks on end. He also doesn't have much credibility, so I'll take any of the book claims with a big pinch salt.
Second, by 2023, it’s hard to believe than such an "educated" person wouldn’t know that Third World is an obsolete term and is, by many standards, meaningless.
Unrelated to this, the book also contains numerous inaccuracies, such as the claim that the literacy rate among people under 25 is under 50% – it's actually 78%. Similarly, Morocco isn't the world champion of corruption; the country is ranked 94th out of 180 countries. This is nothing to boast about, but it's far from being at the bottom of the list.
I tried to stay neutral and focus on the one likable character in the book: the queen of Sorcery R'kia. R'kia is a straight shooter, has a foul mouth; but is depicted as fair as long as she's being paid, and very loyal to her entourage. Her stories are funny, when she's not interrupted by the author hot takes about """politics""" or his rants about Moroccans, and especially Moroccan women. (Hbibi, have you tried therapyyyy)
The issue here lies in the book's overall lack of believability. Are we to believe that a well-educated entertainment journalist, essentially a professional gossip columnist, is oblivious to the prevalence of witchcraft in the global entertainment industry? Are we to accept that he's unaware of the fact that many influencers are involved in less-than-savory activities ? Websites like Reddit and Tattle Life are rife with threads exposing the undercover escorts. Why do we have to pretend that couch casting only happens in Morocco when it’s a well-known worldwide practice?
Another point, I couldn't help but notice the author's apparent penchant for depicting bestiality and other unnatural sexual practices. In his own words, as mentioned in the earlier podcast, "for me it’s funny "(yikes). Additionally, he tries really hard to attribute these peculiar practices solely to Moroccans, rather than regarding them as characteristics of certain individuals. The biggest consumers of bestiality-related content are German, the height of civilization by the author's standards.
This raises questions about the author's motivations, I feel like this book serves as a means to express personal grievances while getting his bills paid. Get your coins, I’m all for it, but it’s quite clear that this is almost more of a confessional than an exposé.
The podcast doesn't allow for comments. And neither does the Amazon page, surprisingly. So I'll have to address it here. During the interview, he repeatedly stated that witchcraft happens everywhere, but only Moroccans humiliate themselves by doing it on social media. That's also false.
There's nothing distinctly Moroccan about the tiktokers engaged in social media witchcraft. Just a simple online search for terms like "brujeria," "hoodoo," "voodoo," "wicca," and "kabbalah" will yield results across cultures. Notably, one of the most prominent witchcraft youtube channels is run by a Christian Palestinian, operating under the name "Arabian Conjure," and she even live-streams her Djinn offerings.
I'll pass on him insulting his host, equating belly dancing to prostitution, or calling Africa "a shithole." Misogyny and elitism; you'll find plenty of that in the book too.
Another curious point is the author's assertion that he wrote the book "for an international audience" while only doing press with a prominent Moroccan influencer who primarily speaks Moroccan Arabic ; and having the book soon translated into Arabic. So far, the book was published in (poor) English, French, and Spanish, all widely read in Morocco.
To sum it up, I would’ve preferred if the author were to candidly admit that he wrote this book with the intention of shocking his fellow countrymen, perhaps feeling overshadowed by influencers, actresses, and fashion designers.
He continually expresses his disdain for hypocrites, yet the book itself is a paradox in this regard.
Some people thrives on chaos, and Simo feels like one of those. Negative attention is still attention, and for people that craves it, I guess, it’s good enough.
As for witchcraft, I live a very sheltered life and have never been confronted to it in real life. Regardless, thanks to Harry Potter, I've been fascinated by it from a young age. I’m also enamored with my cultural heritage, so I was looking forward to learn more about this taboo side of Moroccan culture.
Sadly, the book falls flat. Too much rants, not enough stories. I still enjoyed trying to undercover who the VIP clients were, I figured out two of them.. If anyone knows who the male actor is, please let me know !
My decision to pick up this book was largely influenced by one of my favorite content creators, Maya Dbaich. She not only recommended it but also featured the author as the first guest on her new podcast. My curiosity got the best of me, and I downloaded the book on my Kindle.
If you're expecting a work of high literary caliber, you're going to be dissapointed. While the book is marketed as being written in a conversational english, it’s still lacking strong editing.
My biggest issue with the book is about the narrator, who emerges as profoundly unlikable (and seemingly aware of it). Riddled with insecurities stemming from factors as trivial as not having been born with blonde hair and blue eyes, he’s also very vulgar. His self-loathing extends to a palpable aversion to all things Moroccan, and it becomes clear that professional counseling could help him come to terms with these deeply-rooted issues, wink wink.
The narrator repeatedly emphasizes his prominence in the Arabic entertainment industry, a big claim since, prior to this reading, I had never heard of him. A brief online search, however, revealed his notoriety for stirring controversy, particularly in connection with one of the most significant scandals in recent Moroccan pop history - "l'affaire Hamza mon BB." This scandal involved a Snapchat account that leaked defamatory content about Moroccan celebrities. While this led to the arrest of several prominent local figures, including the Batma sisters and Soukaina Glamour, the author, Simo Ben Bachir, chose to flee the country, never to return. He is allegedly the primary source of the rumors propagated by Hamza mon BB. A poor man’s Perez Hilton, if you want.
It's important to emphasize how ironic that the very "celebrities" he insults and holds in low regard all throughout the book are the same individuals who once captivated his obsession to the point where he felt compelled to create a Snapchat account to gossip about them. Once again, THERAPY MIGHT HELP.
Let's come back to the book.
First annoyance already stated: the man is tiresome. I really feel for that Sorceress that had to endure him babbling for weeks on end. He also doesn't have much credibility, so I'll take any of the book claims with a big pinch salt.
Second, by 2023, it’s hard to believe than such an "educated" person wouldn’t know that Third World is an obsolete term and is, by many standards, meaningless.
Unrelated to this, the book also contains numerous inaccuracies, such as the claim that the literacy rate among people under 25 is under 50% – it's actually 78%. Similarly, Morocco isn't the world champion of corruption; the country is ranked 94th out of 180 countries. This is nothing to boast about, but it's far from being at the bottom of the list.
I tried to stay neutral and focus on the one likable character in the book: the queen of Sorcery R'kia. R'kia is a straight shooter, has a foul mouth; but is depicted as fair as long as she's being paid, and very loyal to her entourage. Her stories are funny, when she's not interrupted by the author hot takes about """politics""" or his rants about Moroccans, and especially Moroccan women. (Hbibi, have you tried therapyyyy)
The issue here lies in the book's overall lack of believability. Are we to believe that a well-educated entertainment journalist, essentially a professional gossip columnist, is oblivious to the prevalence of witchcraft in the global entertainment industry? Are we to accept that he's unaware of the fact that many influencers are involved in less-than-savory activities ? Websites like Reddit and Tattle Life are rife with threads exposing the undercover escorts. Why do we have to pretend that couch casting only happens in Morocco when it’s a well-known worldwide practice?
Another point, I couldn't help but notice the author's apparent penchant for depicting bestiality and other unnatural sexual practices. In his own words, as mentioned in the earlier podcast, "for me it’s funny "(yikes). Additionally, he tries really hard to attribute these peculiar practices solely to Moroccans, rather than regarding them as characteristics of certain individuals. The biggest consumers of bestiality-related content are German, the height of civilization by the author's standards.
This raises questions about the author's motivations, I feel like this book serves as a means to express personal grievances while getting his bills paid. Get your coins, I’m all for it, but it’s quite clear that this is almost more of a confessional than an exposé.
The podcast doesn't allow for comments. And neither does the Amazon page, surprisingly. So I'll have to address it here. During the interview, he repeatedly stated that witchcraft happens everywhere, but only Moroccans humiliate themselves by doing it on social media. That's also false.
There's nothing distinctly Moroccan about the tiktokers engaged in social media witchcraft. Just a simple online search for terms like "brujeria," "hoodoo," "voodoo," "wicca," and "kabbalah" will yield results across cultures. Notably, one of the most prominent witchcraft youtube channels is run by a Christian Palestinian, operating under the name "Arabian Conjure," and she even live-streams her Djinn offerings.
I'll pass on him insulting his host, equating belly dancing to prostitution, or calling Africa "a shithole." Misogyny and elitism; you'll find plenty of that in the book too.
Another curious point is the author's assertion that he wrote the book "for an international audience" while only doing press with a prominent Moroccan influencer who primarily speaks Moroccan Arabic ; and having the book soon translated into Arabic. So far, the book was published in (poor) English, French, and Spanish, all widely read in Morocco.
To sum it up, I would’ve preferred if the author were to candidly admit that he wrote this book with the intention of shocking his fellow countrymen, perhaps feeling overshadowed by influencers, actresses, and fashion designers.
He continually expresses his disdain for hypocrites, yet the book itself is a paradox in this regard.
Some people thrives on chaos, and Simo feels like one of those. Negative attention is still attention, and for people that craves it, I guess, it’s good enough.
As for witchcraft, I live a very sheltered life and have never been confronted to it in real life. Regardless, thanks to Harry Potter, I've been fascinated by it from a young age. I’m also enamored with my cultural heritage, so I was looking forward to learn more about this taboo side of Moroccan culture.
Sadly, the book falls flat. Too much rants, not enough stories. I still enjoyed trying to undercover who the VIP clients were, I figured out two of them.. If anyone knows who the male actor is, please let me know !
April 2, 2024
I am absolutely thrilled to commend the author for his bold and daring exploration of black magic in Morocco through his masterpiece, "Sneaky Showbiz." This book has sparked controversy, but it sheds light on occult truths that have never been discussed before. What sets this book apart is not only its exceptional writing but also the fact that it is based on real interviews and journalistic work conducted by the author. The revelations presented are bold and eye-opening, revealing rarely discussed aspects of Moroccan society.
Instead of shying away from controversial topics, the author delves deep into them, bringing to the forefront the hidden realities of Moroccan culture. "Sneaky Showbiz" is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the complexities of Moroccan society and the forces that influence it. While black magic exists worldwide, the author makes it clear that he is focusing on showbiz in Morocco. The courage displayed by the author in breaking the silence on this topic is commendable, and this book paves the way for important discussions. The exceptional quality of writing in "Sneaky Showbiz" deserves recognition for its contribution to Moroccan journalism and for its role in uncovering this hidden reality. This book is a game-changer and a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of Moroccan culture.
Instead of shying away from controversial topics, the author delves deep into them, bringing to the forefront the hidden realities of Moroccan culture. "Sneaky Showbiz" is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the complexities of Moroccan society and the forces that influence it. While black magic exists worldwide, the author makes it clear that he is focusing on showbiz in Morocco. The courage displayed by the author in breaking the silence on this topic is commendable, and this book paves the way for important discussions. The exceptional quality of writing in "Sneaky Showbiz" deserves recognition for its contribution to Moroccan journalism and for its role in uncovering this hidden reality. This book is a game-changer and a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of Moroccan culture.
September 10, 2024
This book is deeply concerning due to its promotion of idolatry, superstition, and offensive stereotypes.
I finished the book to ensure I gave it a fair review, but unfortunately, it lacks proper structure, professionalism, and is riddled with grammatical errors. Additionally, it presents troubling views toward Morocco, unfairly portraying it in a negative light.
The book delves into themes of sorcery, glamorizing harmful practices, and contains language that is offensive and demeaning. Its narrative promotes a lifestyle detached from moral values, with repeated references to vice and debauchery. The glorification of certain immoral actions is disturbing and detracts from any potential merit the book might have had.
It also paints a damaging picture of Moroccan society, generalizing negative traits and presenting harmful stereotypes that do not reflect the reality of the culture. Such a portrayal is not constructive and risks misrepresenting a rich and diverse society.
In conclusion, this book was not worth the time spent reading it. The content is not only offensive but could have a negative influence on readers. As a Muslim, I prefer not to speak ill of others, but I sincerely hope that the author considers more constructive and respectful ways to express his views in the future.
May God guide us all toward better understanding and respect for one another.
I finished the book to ensure I gave it a fair review, but unfortunately, it lacks proper structure, professionalism, and is riddled with grammatical errors. Additionally, it presents troubling views toward Morocco, unfairly portraying it in a negative light.
The book delves into themes of sorcery, glamorizing harmful practices, and contains language that is offensive and demeaning. Its narrative promotes a lifestyle detached from moral values, with repeated references to vice and debauchery. The glorification of certain immoral actions is disturbing and detracts from any potential merit the book might have had.
It also paints a damaging picture of Moroccan society, generalizing negative traits and presenting harmful stereotypes that do not reflect the reality of the culture. Such a portrayal is not constructive and risks misrepresenting a rich and diverse society.
In conclusion, this book was not worth the time spent reading it. The content is not only offensive but could have a negative influence on readers. As a Muslim, I prefer not to speak ill of others, but I sincerely hope that the author considers more constructive and respectful ways to express his views in the future.
May God guide us all toward better understanding and respect for one another.
July 5, 2023
Oh, how thrilling it was to delve into the captivating world of Sneaky Showbiz! My initial motivation for picking up this literary masterpiece was to gain a deeper understanding of the glamorous lives led by Moroccan celebrities. You see, it has been decades since I bid farewell to dear Morocco, and now and then, I catch wind of these superstars engaging in all sorts of nefarious activities, from peddling their bodies to dabbling in the dark arts.
But lo and behold, my astonishment knew no bounds when I stumbled upon Simo Benbachir's enlightening exposés, revealing the hidden truths many Moroccans desperately trying to suppress. His writing style, so effortlessly engaging and informative, had me devouring the entire book in a mere weekend. As a proud Moroccan-American, I must say it warms my heart to know that we have such an honest journalist emerging from a world where freedom of speech is a distant dream.
Oh, the irony! How fortunate we are to have someone like Simo Benbachir fearlessly shed light on the entertainment industry's murky underbelly. It's truly a testament to our progress in a society where freedom of speech is not fully granted yet. Bravo, dear journalist, for daring to speak the truth amidst a sea of deceit and deception.
But lo and behold, my astonishment knew no bounds when I stumbled upon Simo Benbachir's enlightening exposés, revealing the hidden truths many Moroccans desperately trying to suppress. His writing style, so effortlessly engaging and informative, had me devouring the entire book in a mere weekend. As a proud Moroccan-American, I must say it warms my heart to know that we have such an honest journalist emerging from a world where freedom of speech is a distant dream.
Oh, the irony! How fortunate we are to have someone like Simo Benbachir fearlessly shed light on the entertainment industry's murky underbelly. It's truly a testament to our progress in a society where freedom of speech is not fully granted yet. Bravo, dear journalist, for daring to speak the truth amidst a sea of deceit and deception.
March 24, 2024
While some may be taken aback by the raw use of profanity and the depiction of less glamorous aspects of Morocco, it is essential to acknowledge the inherent imperfections of humanity. Exploring these imperfections does not diminish the beauty of the country as a whole. Morocco still showcases stunning landscapes and a plethora of kind-hearted, peaceful individuals.
It is imperative to understand that the book specifically focuses on a particular segment of Moroccan society: the show-business industry and its subset of individuals motivated by greed and indifference, willing to chase after fame and fortune at any cost. This narrative offers a peek into underground worlds that may be unfamiliar to the average person, shining a light on a facet of society that is often overlooked.
It is imperative to understand that the book specifically focuses on a particular segment of Moroccan society: the show-business industry and its subset of individuals motivated by greed and indifference, willing to chase after fame and fortune at any cost. This narrative offers a peek into underground worlds that may be unfamiliar to the average person, shining a light on a facet of society that is often overlooked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews