Would you share with us the journey that transformed your interest in media to acting? What inspired this change?
In fact, my goal for years was acting and art, however, my Media study was an important aspect for me, even if I move away from the Media, I believe I will return to it again.
I started my career in festival films (short films), however, I was keen to develop myself rapidly. Perhaps, this helped me to reach where I am now, as the habit of persistence pushes a person ahead to success rapidly. Certainly, I am grateful to the Media and my wonderful beginnings, and keen not to stay too far from the Media. I believe many technical steps to take first.
Al-Mirath was a Saudi soap opera series, the first of its kind, and lasted for 750 episodes.
What were the challenges you faced in performing the character of Dr. Mashael during the filming period, which lasted for 3 years and how you were able to maintain your character during the long filming period?
Challenges created many opportunities. Perhaps the challenges were the compliance for more than 3 years with filming dates, studying with hard work and diligence, and the necessary attendance to participate in real-time events that we were filming and also represented by the Corona period, which was the most important challenge facing the filming process, specifically with the difficulties which we were facing.
On the other hand, there were many opportunities to coexist with reality and what was happening on the screen. The audience’s connection with the character “Mashael” gave me a greater opportunity to express many aspects of her personality, which contributed to the success of the role and the cast as well. It was also an opportunity to benefit from my colleagues, the director and even benefiting from the audience’s criticism. I was lucky to work and I had capitalized on the opportunity to work hard and diligently to present the cast in the way it deserves.
How did your Egyptian origins and period of living in Saudi Arabia influence your artistic career and choices of roles?
Perhaps the diversity of cultures benefits a person in general in any field, and art specifically. No one can deny the value and importance of the art school in Egypt, which is considered the most important in the Arab region, of course, this helped me to develop rapidly and achieve important and rapid steps because I benefited greatly from all Egyptian stars during the period of study, and of course, whoever comes from an artistic environment like Egypt is lucky. I am also proud of Saudi Arabia and the wonderful and rapid development encountered at present.
You specialized in media and journalism during your university studies at Ain Shams University in Cairo.How did your academic background affect your understanding of roles in acting and your outlook on the entire field of entertainment?
Media is not far from art. It is a very close circle. In the end, we all stand in front of the camera, with differences, of course, however, perhaps my study of media helped me in the way I deal with the characters I present, as I became more informed and aware of the variables and issues, which brought me closer to the characters I present.
Your first television appearance was in the series “Shad Balad” on Rotana TV. Tell us a little about how you felt during your first experience.
Without a doubt, the first experiences are unforgettable, and they leave a lot of impact on our technicality, especially when it is the first step on the ladder of ascension, as they are motivating. I was very happy with such experiences and I sat a lot watching the work to see what good I had done and what I should have done better, but in the end, It was not a bad experience and I am proud of it. Especially since it was directed by the great creator Abdul Khaleq Al-Ghanem, may God have mercy on him, and that is enough for me.
You gained wide public exposure through your roles in television and film dramas. In your opinion, what qualities do you possess that helped you spread on all platforms?
No one can talk about himself, and I may not like it, but all I can say is that I always feel that I need to provide the best and I have what I can offer, along with the necessity of diligence, research, and a good personality study in all aspects. The most important thing is to appear decently with due respect to the mentality and outlook of the follower.
As a prominent figure in the artistic field in the region you constantly deal with the most prominent and famous international and local brands. How can you ensure that you maintain your special and authentic touch through these dealings and at the same time express the concept of luxury through these collaborations?
Any person who is keen on his appearance, especially an artist, is necessary to maintain that, but perhaps I will be more frank with you despite my keenness to stand out. I am not drawn to imitation or following everyone else. I am closer to the things that I like and that are similar to me at the same time. I prefer the things that belong to me. To my personality, which I feel familiar with and not just because it is beautiful.
In the end, every person, especially every artist, has qualities and characteristics that cannot be similar to any other artist, and this is the difference.
Luxury often meets art and culture. How do you see the contribution of your acting career to expanding the concept of luxury in Saudi Arabia and Arab culture as a whole?
Culture is a truly comprehensive and large concept. I see that the matter is relative, and there are diverse and different cultures, but I believe that the artist must be educated. He is not just a performer who stands in front of the camera to embody what is on paper. On the contrary, his culture makes him more capable of interaction and expression, and perhaps to be more honest in his work, I do not believe that an uneducated person can be successful, especially those who work in fields such as art, media, and writing.
Of course, I am talking here about the success…the success, not the spread.
Luxury can be a source of inspiration to many.
Are there any luxury brands, designers, or specific cultural influences that have greatly influenced your style and preferences?
Everything distinctive, elegant, and simple… catches my eye first.
For me, simplicity is the key to true luxury and elegance as well. I do not tend to attract attention with excessive or crazy extravagance. The closer I get to simplicity, the more comfortable I am, and the closer I am to my fans and followers, and this is what I experience through social media. I also adopt simplicity, not only in appearance, but in performance, speech, and dealings as well.
I believe that “less is more” is a very true saying and based on experience.
