Exclusive: Celio Saab’s Fiancée Zein AlQutami On The Proposal Day, Being Part Of The Saabs And Choosing A Low-Profile Life

Exclusive: Zein AlQutami On The Proposal Day, Being Part of the Saabs And Choosing A Low-Profile Life

A new engagement news has broken our social media and it is none other than Celio Saab’s engagement to Zein AlQutami.

Claudine Saab, the elegant matriarch and wife of renowned Lebanese designer Elie Saab, unveiled this delightful news with a simple yet heartfelt post on Instagram—she posted a picture of her son alongside his fiancée, Zein AlQutami, leaving the image to speak volumes without a single word.

In the blink of an eye, this image started creating buzz online as fans of the brand and family couldn’t help but find out more about the couple. After all, Celio, the single heartthrob of the illustrious Elie Saab, is not just celebrated for his lineage but also for his striking good looks and charismatic persona, qualities that have endeared him to many.

In a HELLO! Arabia exclusive, and on this special occasion, we caught up with his sweetheart; Zein AlQutami, a woman of Jordanian heritage whose mesmerizing beauty captured Celio’s heart, and had an intimate, touching chat about the couple’s journey, family dynamics, private life, and more.

Exclusive: Celio Saab’s Fiancée Zein AlQutami On The Proposal Day, Being Part Of The Saabs And Choosing A Low-Profile Life

Celio Saab and Zein AlQutami are engaged!

Congratulations on your engagement! You and Celio are this season’s hottest couple. Let’s start with the obvious question. People would like to know more about the details of your relationship with Celio: when did it start, when did you meet for the first time, and how did this connection develop?

Our relationship began in 2021. It was love at first sight; my heart felt something entirely new. We went on our first date on June 25th in Dubai, and it was magical, to say the least. We enjoyed it so much that we went on a second date the very next day. Coincidentally, we both had the same dates booked for Beirut that summer. During that time in Beirut, our bond grew stronger, and we built a solid foundation that has brought us to where we are today. Ever since, it has been an incredible journey with Celio, filled with love and memories that I will cherish forever.

What do you like most about Celio?

What’s there not to love about Celio? We share so much in common, and our relationship never gets boring. We genuinely enjoy each other’s company, even in silence. The comfort and ease we share are something I treasure.

What’s special about the dynamic you both share?

I learn from him every day. There isn’t a topic we discuss or a question I ask that he doesn’t have insight into. His knowledge is vast and fascinating. Beyond that, he treats his family, friends, and everyone around him with kindness and respect. His heart is big enough to hold so much love and care.

Most importantly, he makes me feel truly seen and appreciated. With Celio, I feel understood and supported in a way I’ve never experienced before. His love gives me strength and confidence, making every moment we share special.

We saw the photos of the proposal. What did that moment mean to you when Celio was proposing with the engagement ring?

It was a “pinch me” moment, incredibly special and intimate. The fact that I had no clue it was coming made it even more meaningful.

Did you know or have a feeling that Celio would propose to you that day? Tell us about the place, time, who was there, and the details of that special moment.

I had absolutely no idea. If I could have imagined the perfect proposal, this would be it: just the two of us on the 29th of June at 6:45 AM. It was a quiet, beautiful moment that I will always remember. It was just the two of us, and that made it perfect. 

Tell us about the ring. Anything special about it? Is it a family ring?

The ring is incredibly special to me. It’s not a family heirloom, but Celio chose and designed it specifically for me. Every detail reflects his thoughtfulness and our unique bond. The ring symbolizes a new chapter in my life and the beautiful journey we have ahead together.

After a sustainable relationship that started 3 years ago, should we expect to see you as the bride of summer 2025? Have you set a date?

We haven’t set a date yet; we’re just enjoying the moment for now.

Have you started choosing your wedding dress? Will it be one of the Elie Saab wedding dresses that everybody is obsessing over?

I didn’t start yet obviously, however, I am sure it will be spectacular. I trust Elie blindly, I mean who wouldn’t.

Tell us about Celio’s relationship with your family. Did Celio propose to you in the beginning, or did he ask for your dad’s blessing first?

Celio and my family are close; they’ve built a good relationship over the years. He took my dad’s blessing first before proposing.

How did your family react to the announcement?

They were, and still are, very happy with lots of joyful tears.

Do you have plans for the city you want to settle in? Beirut? Abu Dhabi?

We see ourselves settling in Abu Dhabi for the time being.

Speaking of settling down, does Celio ever cook for you, or let’s just not go there?

With our busy lives in Abu Dhabi, we usually order in or go out to eat because Celio doesn’t like it when the kitchen gets messy. But I can’t wait to start cooking for him, as I love being in the kitchen.

Now I suppose a lot of people are going to wonder about the first meeting with the families. It’s not necessarily your average meeting to meet the famous Saab family. What was your first impression of the Saab family?

I felt welcomed from day one. They feel like my own family, and I always look forward to spending time with them. They’re as beautiful from the inside as from the outside. 

We saw Claudine Saab, Celio’s mother, and Elie Saab’s wife, sharing a lovely photo of Celio and you on her Instagram story. How would you describe your relationship with each other, and did she give you any advice?

We have a special bond that gets stronger, especially every time she visits Abu Dhabi, as we get to spend more time together. Claudine is beautiful inside and out. She hasn’t given me any specific advice yet, but she definitely teaches through her actions. I’m sure her advice would be similar to my mom’s. I really cherish our time together.

While Celio and you maintain a low profile, not everyone knows that you are not just a pretty face. You are a prominent figure in the creative consulting world and manage big-name accounts. Tell us more about your current career adventures.

I love my job. I’ve been with a marketing agency for the past three years in Abu Dhabi, where I have grown immensely. I handle a lot of huge and important clients in Abu Dhabi, including government entities and major corporations.

We are constantly witnessing a wave of bullying and toxic comments on public figures’ images online. There is no doubt that after your engagement with Elie Saab’s son, Celio, you will be the envy of many. How do you deal with negative, hurtful comments or harsh criticism?

Negative and hurtful comments are inevitable, but I choose to ignore them. These comments say more about the person posting them than about me. What truly matters to me is the private life I share with Celio.

Your old Instagram account had over 30k followers. You were an aspiring lifestyle and fashion blogger. Did you decide to go private to protect your relationship with Celio?

Not really. I can still protect my relationship with Celio even with a public account. I used to work with brands and collaborations, but as my job got more intense with increased responsibilities, I no longer have the time for content creation and collaborations. Plus, you cannot deny that a private life is a happy one!

I have to ask this: any favorite piece from Elie Saab’s breathtaking Autumn-Winter 2024 couture collection?

Breathtaking indeed; each piece is special in its own way. You can never pick ‘one’ piece.

Any last words? Excited? Terrified?

I’m very excited and happy, Hamdella. Celio completes me in so many ways; he’s my blessing in life, to say the very least. I’m looking forward to what life holds for us. Thank you for this interview and to everyone who congratulated us.

Images courtesy of Zein AlQutami. Words: Ward Mohammad