Conan O’Brien's Moroccan Adventure with Hassan Hajjaj
Conan O’Brien's recent visit to Morocco has sparked considerable interest, particularly following the completion of the third season of his travel series, "Conan O’Brien Must Go," broadcast on HBO Max. The famed American comedian and television host took some time to engage in a unique portrait session with the celebrated Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj. This memorable shoot took place at Hajjaj's concept store, Jajjah Tea, located in the vibrant city of Marrakech.
Established in 2021, Jajjah Tea is situated in the creative industrial district of Sidi Ghanem and represents Hassan Hajjaj's second project in Marrakech. The venue is a dynamic blend of Moroccan street food, a tea salon offering a signature range of brews, and a gallery that showcases the work of emerging Moroccan photographers. O’Brien, a familiar face in the realm of entertainment, was captivated by this eclectic space, which has become a popular haunt for many celebrities visiting Marrakech.
Recently, Jajjah Tea’s Instagram account shared a vibrant photograph of Conan O’Brien, captured by Hajjaj, as he proudly stood at the entrance of the tea shop. The post included a heartfelt message of gratitude to the community: "We are thankful for everyone who comes to share tea, view an exhibition, enjoy a meal, or simply spend time in our space. Whether you visit once or weekly, thank you for your support and love. We are delighted to be here for our community of locals, visitors from around the globe, friends, colleagues, and even the occasional celebrity. Some of you may be more well-known, but to us, you are all rock stars." This colorful memento marks the conclusion of O’Brien's Moroccan journey, which began in the Philippines and the Netherlands before landing in Morocco.
As a parting shot, O’Brien shared a whimsical image of himself riding a camel alongside his long-time assistant, Sona Movsesian, with whom he co-hosts the podcast "Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend." He captioned the picture, "Sona and I are taking Ubers back to the airport. Goodbye, Morocco!" This playful farewell encapsulates the jovial spirit of his travels.
According to José Arroyo, a writer for the show, Morocco was chosen as a filming location after several Moroccan listeners of O’Brien’s podcast invited him to visit the country, suggesting highlights like Jemâa El Fna square and the experience of a traditional hammam. The enthusiastic response from fans undoubtedly played a role in shaping this exciting chapter of O’Brien's travels.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
