Rotana Tarabzouni

Saudi singer Rotana Tarabzouni at home in Los Angeles.

Saudi singer: People say, ‘I hope you die, I hope you burn in hell, you’re a slut.’

Music

If you think it’s hard to make it as a musician in the US, try Saudi Arabia. Music isn’t officially illegal, but many Muslims there believe that music is forbidden — so not only are there no karaoke bars, but shredding that guitar solo might actually get you in trouble with religious police. But that doesn’t mean that there are no aspiring Saudi Idols.