RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's entertainment sector is growing so fast that Hollywood can no longer look away. That is the verdict from Sheeraz Hasan, Founder and CEO of Hollywood-based Fame by Sheeraz, who appeared on The Mayman Show hosted by Hussam Al-Mayman on Arab News to lay out why the Kingdom has become the most talked-about market in the global entertainment industry.
"Everyone is discussing agents, managers, publicists, and celebrities — this conversation cannot be ignored," Hasan said. "That's why I received invitations from many people in Saudi Arabia."
Hollywood Boardrooms Are Now Discussing Saudi Arabia
Historically, the Kingdom rarely came up in Hollywood's strategic planning sessions. Hasan says that changed decisively because of visionary leadership at the top. "It's now a topic in the boardrooms of Netflix, Apple, Disney, Hulu, and major agencies," he said.
The timing is significant. Hollywood is battling the rise of artificial intelligence and fierce competition from new platforms — yet Saudi Arabia's entertainment industry is booming. Major stars have started instructing their agents directly: "I should be in KSA." Events in the Kingdom have drawn global headlines and attracted some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, cementing Saudi Arabia's status as a market that cannot be overlooked.
MBS and the Art of FOMO
Central to Hasan's analysis is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's talent for manufacturing what the industry calls "FOMO" — Fear of Missing Out. "He's Mr. FOMO," Hasan said. "He has Hollywood boardrooms' attention, with pressure building because they know they cannot afford to miss this chance."
Saudi Arabia's 40-plus million strong market is a major draw in its own right. Hasan points to the power of female opinion-leaders within the Kingdom: "When the top female influencers are talking about Saudi Arabia, brands and companies will naturally trend toward where those voices are focused."
Fame by Sheeraz: A Track Record with Hollywood's Elite
Hasan and his team have an extensive record of high-profile celebrity work. Among the stars he has collaborated with: Kim Kardashian, Logan Paul, Zendaya, Paris Hilton, Ricky Martin, Aishwarya Rai, and Priyanka Chopra. The Fame by Sheeraz team has been recognised for its media strategies, winning Media Personality of the Year at the Agility Awards and Media and Communication Company of the Year at the Virtuzone Awards.
Bollywood personalities including Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra have also acknowledged Saudi Arabia's growing cultural and entertainment presence — a further signal that the Kingdom is attracting global talent across multiple creative industries.
The Saudi Entertainment Opportunity
Hasan is candid that Saudi Arabia's entertainment sector is still in an early stage — but he sees that as an argument for engagement, not hesitation. His mission, he says, is to keep Hollywood fully informed about the Kingdom's growth trajectory, its investment potential, and the breadth of collaboration opportunities it offers, in line with the country's Vision 2030 agenda.
"The current trend is Saudi Arabia," Hasan said. "It cannot be ignored."
