He was 19 years old and the first Lebanese to win the Title. This year was seen as an improvement over the previous year, and a return to the level of the first season, with many talented students. Some like Hani, Hanaa, and Shayma were deemed just as worthy of winning as Joseph. There were also many other strong performers like Fadi, Khalifa, Rakiya, Maya, and Wajdi. This year, the show expanded the number of students from 16 contestants, in the two previous years, to 19 students. Primes : As there was a tie, Mohammad Ibrahim had the casting vote and he saved Mohamed Dossary : As there was a tie, Rym had the casting vote and she saved Mohammad Ibrahim : As there was a tie, Chayma had the casting vote and she saved Mohammad Ibrahim : He withdrew from the academy after being nominated and saved by his colleagues vote and not by the public's vote  Tour  Joseph, Hani, Hanaa, Chayma, Fady, Khalifa, Maya, Rakiya and Wajdi were chosen to be part of the tour. This was the first year 9 students instead of 8 went on tour. It was also the first time where the Top finishing students did not all go on tour. Despite finishing 8th and 9th, Rym and Mohammed I were not chosen for the tour, Rakiya and Wajdi were selected to go on tour instead. Shada Hassoun, from Iraq and Morocco, made history by being the first girl to take the title. The fourth season (2007) was also the first season where two girls claimed the first and second place when Shada Hassoun came in first, and Marwa (from Tunisia) came in second. It was also noteworthy to feature the first female contestant from the Persian Gulf, Shoroq (from Bahrain), as well as the first contestant from Oman, Ayoub. Primes : As there was a tie, Ali had the casting vote and he saved Sally  Tour  Shada, Marwa, Mohamed, Carlo, Sally, Ali, Tina, Ahmad, and Imed were chosen to be part of the tour. Once again, 9 students were chosen for the tour. even though Amel was placed ahead of Imed, he was chosen to go on tour instead of her. The fifth season of Star Academy began on 25 January 2008. There were several changes in the academy that included a new swimming pool, a basketball court, a trampoline, a pool and tennis table and a newly decorated building.