Lebanese actress Madeline Tabar has issued a statement clarifying her comments about Adel Imam, one of Egypt's most famous actors, after causing controversy by suggesting she knew the “secret” behind his recent absence from a theater festival gala. Tabar made her comments during her role as a presenter at the closing ceremony of Egypt’s National Theater Festival. They led to a backlash from Lebanese media personality Basma Wahba and the head of Egypt’s actors union, Ashraf Zaki, both of whom criticized Tabar for her remarks. In her statement, Tabar claimed she was expressing her “love and appreciation” for Imam and had meant no harm.