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Afghan talent show singer finds fame as Justin Trudeau’s double
KABUL, Jan 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – An Afghan talent show contestant’s striking
resemblance to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has turned him into an
unlikely celebrity in the war-torn country — and potentially given him the
winning edge.
Abdul Salam Maftoon, a wedding singer from a village in the remote and
impoverished northeastern province of Badakhshan, had never even heard of his
more famous doppelg”nger until a judge on the popular television music
contest Afghan Star pointed out the uncanny likeness.
Slightly built with a long face and dark brown hair and eyes, Maftoon, 29,
hopes the flattering comparison to the politician widely rated as one of the
sexiest leaders in the world will bring him more votes on Afghanistan’s
version of American Idol.
“People have forgotten my name and now they just call me ‘Justin
Trudeau’,” Maftoon told AFP, his self-conscious smile revealing two gold-
plated front teeth.
“I didn’t know anything about Justin Trudeau until I saw the photos on
social media.
“The resemblance has boosted my chances of winning the competition by 50
percent.”
Composite photos of the pair — Maftoon wearing a hat favoured by men in
northern Afghanistan and Trudeau in Western-style clothing — have drawn
scores of comments on Facebook.
And a video of an Afghan Star panel discussion about their physical
similarities has been viewed tens of thousands of times.
“Trudeau’s lost twin,” wrote Neila Abdulzadah on Facebook.
Fowzia Zereh posted: “I think their story is like a Bollywood movie —
they were separated at birth and he found his lost twin brother.”
Another said: “This is truly the copy of Trudeau. I’d love to see our
Trudeau win this year’s Afghan Star.”
– ‘Next Justin Bieber’ –
Maftoon has a good chance.
The performer is among eight contestants to make it through to the next
elimination round on Thursday.
The final will be held on March 21, the Persian new year’s eve.
So far Maftoon’s repertoire of romantic folk songs, which he sings in both
of Afghanistan’s official languages Dari and Pashto, and his looks have
impressed viewers, whose votes decide which performer is kicked off the show
each week.
He has also caught the attention of the official judges.
“He looks like my prime minister,” said Afghan-born Canadian musician Qais
Ulfat, one of the four judges who first pointed out Maftoon’s resemblance to
Trudeau.
“His voice is very satisfying. He has that god-gifted vocal ability.
“This guy could be the next Justin Bieber.”
Until now Maftoon has relied on singing and playing instruments at wedding
and birthday parties to support his wife and four children.
But he is confident that his new-found fame will boost demand for his
entertainment services.
“When I go back to my hometown people will definitely call me,” Maftoon
said, his trademark hat perched on the back of his head as he practised
vocals with Ulfat in a recording studio at local television station Tolo.
While Maftoon has little chance of going to Canada anytime soon, he holds
hopes of one day meeting his Canadian double.
“I want to meet him if he wants to because he is a global personality and
I am a poor man from a remote part of Afghanistan,” he said.
“We will see what happens.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0858