Life & Style | People
Every viewer is my boss
I know what Miley Cyrus is going through - the fuss about her mature image. I have been a presenter since the age of seven and had to reintroduce myself as a grown-up host.
- By Carolina D'Souza, Lifestyle Features Coordinator, Friday
- Published: 00:00 September 3, 2010
- Image Credit: Silvia Baron
The reactions have been mixed. When I was a kid, people would approach me, saying, ‘You are so cute. My children watch your show. We watch it too.' I don't get that kind of response any more.
I came back to television after I turned 18.
Many of my viewers weren't fine with my new image. They were accustomed to the little girl presenting game shows. They'd say, ‘She was so cute when she was young.' It is almost as if I was being accused of growing up too fast, pretending to be older.
I can see why I was easy to approach, right up to 15, the age when I stopped presenting. People don't hesitate or think it embarrassing to walk up to a youngster. I took a break to concentrate on my studies, and my return [to television] is simplya grown-up version of me. I am still the same person, only older.
Now in my twenties, I notice people don't come up to me as easily to say either they have watched my show or they like me.
It is different now. In my experience, I have approached celebrities with a bit of caution, never knowing how they are going to react or whether they will be in the right frame of mind to entertain a fan.
Still, I am lucky because those who have seen me on television are familiar with my name, making it easier to be accepted. If I didn't start as early as I did, I think it would have been far more challenging.
Working as a child wasn't normal.
I remember it was during a talent contest in my school in Sharjah.I was an active student, participating in everything from theatre tosinging and sport. At the time, I was also learning to play the accordion and organ.
The organisers asked us about our hobbies and choice of summer activities. I was the quintessential attention-seeker. Being outspoken, I grabbed the attention of the lady conducting the interviews.
Before I realised it, I was in front of the camera, hosting children's game shows for various national channels in Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. I had to tell my friends that I couldn't play with them because I had to go to the studio. That part didn't seem normal. There I was, a child myself, who had to make other children have fun while I worked.
At the beginning, I enjoyed it. A few years later, hosting children's shows started shaping into a profession rather than a hobby. It became a commitment. Looking back, I am grateful to have understood [at a young age] the commitment and dedication it takes to host a show. Since then, I have done various entertainment, quiz and talk shows aimed at youth for several channels including Sama Dubai, Abu Dhabi TV and Ajman Independent Studio.I have gained valuable experience, and I am reaping the rewards today.
I host a Bollywood show.
We grew up watching Hindi movies. But watching Hindi movies and hosting a show on them aren't the same. It was a huge learning curve when I starting preparing for the first episode, watching film previews and reading reviews.
I am still brushing up on my knowledge of film stars. The weekly 30-minute show [telecast every Thursday] includes a round-up of the most popular Bollywood films and interviews with actors and actresses. I hope one day I will be able to interview actors on location.
At home, I recall watching old movies - along with my older sisters - of Shammi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachan. Now I see movies with these actors' children. What amazes me about Bollywood is its high-quality production values.
Presenting and acting are different.
Many mix presenting and acting. Presenters should be more natural, spontaneous. It is the one quality you need to take you on the road to success. Most speak of iconic Oprah as their role model. Me? I relate to someone closer to my culture. Someone like famous Egyptian television and radio personality Hamdy Kandeel.
I have learnt several lessons the tough way. Even in the early days, it wasn't easy. I had to demonstrate that I was capable of attending to a telephone call [through a headset] and maintaining eye contact with the camera. To distract me, my director used to intentionally sing to check whether I could maintain composure. I was often tested, put on the spot. I also learnt aspects of body language and eye contact from professionals.
Presenting shows comes with demands, especially live shows where you have to expect the unexpected. It's not like a radio presenter where you have to modulate your voice to control your emotions. There are bad days when I have huge personal issues and before shooting, I am crying my heart out. Those days are especially tough. I still have to laugh and smile. [It is during such times that] a presenter has to fall back on the art of acting. It is our job to be fun and energetic in front of the camera.
It is no different from smiling at your boss when you are having a bad day. I don't have one boss; every viewer is my boss.
Generally though, like with any commitment, being on television instils discipline - you have to manage your time and prepare. Even with my current show, I juggle between studies [Bachelor of Science in Business Administration] at the University of Sharjah and shoots. I am studying business because I can use another skill from a different field.
At home, my family is happy seeing me doing something productive.
My mum is thrilled to see me occupied.
I have a big family - four sisters and three brothers. I am the youngest. My mum is thankful that I found a good way to channel my energy. She would say, ‘Oh, I am glad she is out of the house.' She knows I like being in front of the camera. I was always the kid in front of the mirror, holding a hairbrush and reading a newspaper when I couldn't even read! I used to pretend to be a newsreader. Maybe one day I will become one.
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