By: Aliaa Elsherbini

Multi-talented actress, radio host and animal rights supporter, Mariam El Khost carved out some time from her hectic schedule to chat with Cairo West Magazine.

CWM: Congrats on your most recent role in Leh La2. For people who haven’t watched it yet, how would you describe the series?

MK: I really find it as a different type of TV series because it is lighthearted, yet it addresses important social issues without being overly dramatic. Leh La2 touches you differently from these types of shows because it is highly relatable.

You play the role of Radwa in the show, who is in a very toxic relationship and is going through a lot of phases of self-discovery and questioning, how did you prepare for that role?

I can’t generalize, but most girls either were a “Radwa” at some point, or are Radwa or have personally known a Radwa, which made embodying the role not that hard. On top of that, Mariam Abo Ouf the director and Mariam Naoum the writer really believe in this project and have a clear vision of what each character should portray so they were an enormous help. If I had any questions I knew I could call them to discuss no matter how busy they were, so it was a collective effort to build this character.

In a short span of time you have played different characters, all of which raised important social issues. Was that a conscious decision? How do you choose your roles?

What I choose to be conscious about is to not give too much importance to being present in each season, but rather focus on how the role will be adding to my career and to choose different roles that I haven’t done before. That’s why when I was offered a role in Eugenie Nights I immediately took it as it was different from anything that I had done before.

So is that why you chose to dabble in comedy and take part in El Anesa Farah?

Yes! I was really scared getting into that project because comedy is not easy, it’s very difficult. Not every drama actor can play comedy and vice versa. But it turned out to be a very important step because I knew that comedy is a big test that I had to try and see if I was any good at.

You mentioned before that you wanted to do horror, why?

I want to do horror because I actually get really scared. So I feel like this would be an important challenge for me. Seeing the behind the scenes and how these films and series are made I feel I would be less scared knowing it’s all just make-up and special effects.

Mentioning make-up, you have talked plenty about cruelty free products, so how deep did you get into the research on animal testing?

A multinational brand had once asked me to be part of their campaign and I declined, I said, “No because you guys test on animals”. They then told me that they didn’t but I knew they did so we kept going back and forth until I found the part in their legal papers that proved that they were testing on animals. So yes, I can say that I got really deep into it.

I’ve seen a lot of videos on animal testing and I couldn’t even watch all the way through from the cruelty. So I asked myself, “Am I willing to buy products that are made under such circumstances?”, and my answer was no way, I could absolutely not. My friend Asmaa Ibrahim (the actress) gave me advice that I now live by and apply to all situations of my life, “respect how you feel”. And it’s true, you always need to respect whatever it is you’re feeling.

With all the information that you have been gathering about animal testing and animal rights how did that affect your lifestyle and food consumption?

The first thing was that I stopped using any products that used animal testing no matter how tempting, I can always find cruelty-free replacement. Then I completely stopped eating meat and poultry. And then I decreased my usage of plastic and got a linen tote bag that I take with me to the supermarket. I am not a vegan since I still eat cheese and butter, but if I could stop consuming those as well if there was a variety of substitutes I would. For others being vegan is easier, to me it’s a step by step process. One step is better than none at all.

Apart from acting and radio what other talents are you known for?

Every time someone asks me about my other talents I say two things, one is drawing and sculpting because I studied art at university, and the other is handiwork. I really like work that can be done using my hands. For example if there is a running tap or a burnt lightbulb I would fix it. Every now and then I like going around the house to check on electrical keys to see if something needs fixing.

So you’re still in radio, do you still consider that as your first love?

Radio for me is a constant, it is something I am on daily. I have started acting in plays and independent films before stating a career in Radio. The idea of being on air used to make me nervous but when I started, I quickly became attached to it so I try to keep it in line with whatever other work I have. I am lucky that everyone that I worked with were understanding of my role in radio so there was no clash between my careers in radio and acting so far.

What do you currently have in the pipeline?

I don’t like to speak about something unless it is already in process. What I can tell you is that hopefully very soon season 2 of El Anesa Farah will happen and let’s take it from there.

Quickfire round:

What do you miss most under lockdown?

Dancing. I love to go dancing with my friends

What’s the first place you’ll go once things reopen?

I really want to go to the movies

Favorite getaway destination?

Sinai, I love Nuweiba 

A book that has influenced your life?

Siddharthaa, a brilliant book by a German author named Hermann Hesse about the spiritual journey of a monk.

What show are you currently binge-watching?

Anne with an E, it’s a period piece.

Which Harry Potter villain would you get into a battle with?

Lucius Malfoy, I am sure I can take him. I thought of Bellatrix Lestrange, but I have a crush on Helena Bonham Carter so I wouldn’t be able to fight her.

Q&A with Mariam El Khosht– To watch the full interview visit our page on Instagram @cairowestpublications

Conducted by: Aliaa Elsherbini

Written by: Mariam Elhamy

As a rising TV star, Khaled Anwar has been busy working on different projects lately and stepping up his game. The actor made time for Cairo West Magazine in a one-on-one chat about the man behind the actor.

CWM: Do you think that fame brings happiness?

For me, happiness is having the freedom to do what you like without harming anyone else. Having internal peace of mind, not needing anything from anyone, not hating anyone, having people who love you, having friends you can trust, and feeling useful is happiness.

You mentioned that you wanted to play Charlie Chaplin and Hitler in film, why?

I have a theory that when someone does a lot of good for others his life usually has a lot of bad in it and that those who have a good life do a lot of bad to others. Charlie Chaplin was unhappy in his life even though he made a lot of people laugh. This theory has nagged at me ever since I started understanding the art of acting and that’s why I want to portray that.

Is it true that what you see is what you get?

Not at all. My bubbly persona that the audience sees is very much who I am. I love to laugh and meet new people but even though I might appear to be happy all the time that is not the truth at all. The problem with being an actor is that it doesn’t allow me the freedom to do many things I like.

For example, I am a bit of a shy person; I don’t like it when someone stares at me. I always have to appear in a certain way that is almost perfect, whether physically or mentally. I always have to act the way I’m expected or perceived. Being famous gets a bit suffocating and I don’t feel as free as I was before.

Speaking of invasion of privacy and fame, are you ready for what’s coming?

Yes, I understand what’s coming very well and I’m trying to be accepting and understanding of it so that I can live with it. I feel like the best is yet to come and I hope I can do what I really want to do.

Were you ever affected by a negative comment?

My professor once told me to always look at something negative with a positive eye. When someone gives me negative feedback I don’t just attack them back, instead I ask them why, why do you think so? Even if some feedback is not always completely true or justified but it might still have some truth in it. I want to improve humanity with what I do and to make a difference in Egyptian society. I don’t just want to be another actor who appears in a few movies.

What is the one role you feel is made for you?

I never thought about that before. I like seeing or doing roles that I know nothing about or have never done before and to research and learn about it.

Do you feel like some people are only around you because of your fame?

Unfortunately, doing what I do creates lack of trust in myself, my decisions and everyone else. Somehow I always have a problem trusting others especially if they aren’t family or people I’ve known from before I was famous.

Do you think that there’s something standing between you and your dream?

My dream will require a lot of effort from me and others as well, but I try to work hard and progress fast to get there. I want Egyptian cinema to be the most substantial in the world and there’s still a long way to go. Nevertheless, I feel like my generation will achieve it. We are more educated, we have a different mentality from those before us, and we don’t want to just imitate, we want to innovate, create and showcase our own culture.

How do you think we can grow as a society?

Bullying is a huge problem in our society, I was once a bully myself but then I realized how insensitive it can be to others. When you bully someone you turn them into bullies as well. I think we should just let people do what they want and mind our own business or fix our own problems. Say something nice or don’t say anything at all.

I wish to change our society so that we are able to talk about bullying, traffic or even the trash in the streets. I want to talk about more humanitarian issues that if resolved will take us to a completely different place. If people change internally, it will change how they work, live or do anything. I believe that everyone should start with themselves!

Do you like taking risks?

Very much! Being an actor is a risk in itself already. Right after I finished high school I wanted so bad to get into acting school but my father started applying for other universities. When I had to take the tests required to get accepted in those universities I failed them on purpose. Even though I wasn’t sure I would be able to get into acting school it was a huge risk to take but I’m glad I did it.

You’ve acted in a grand love story before, do you believe in them?

Of course! Fear is what creates impossibility. You just have to work hard and keep at it because nothing is impossible. The harder your dream is to achieve the harder you have to work for it.

What do you think of today’s generation?

Our generation has seen a lot and has learned from past mistakes. It has taught us to be smarter, and more driven. We believe in peace and that we will make a huge impact on the world. After every storm, there is a rainbow. I believe that what’s coming will be better. For Egypt especially, I feel that we are becoming better people socially and we are facing our problems very openly through social media.

You talked about the effects of social media, how do you use it positively?

There’s a general sense of pessimism all around the world currently, things aren’t like they were in the past. People don’t care about each other the way they used to. In Egypt especially, we’ve become more Westernized, not as compassionate and sympathetic like we used to be. I try to be positive and use social media to minimize the sense of frustration through posting photos that are funny.

On the other hand, social media can be very bad for you if you let it control your life. You have to control its effect on you and instead of following people do things or getting big, you have to start doing things yourself and becoming who you want to be.