Tara Emad is a 21-year-old Model and Actress, founder of the ‘Help From Your Heart’ charity foundation, multi-talented and winner of Miss teen Egypt, Africa and runner up to Miss teen universe.

photographer.. Herve Moutou. Paris, France

WHY DID YOU BECOME A MODEL?

I’ve wanted to be a model ever since I was a child, I looked at magazines and fashion shows and told my mother that one day I’ll be on the runway.

HOW DID YOU GET THE COURAGE TO JOIN IN MISS TEEN EGYPT, AFRICA AND THE UNIVERSE?

It was one of my dreams to become Miss Egypt in one of the pageants. When I had the opportunity I went for it, went to Brazil competed in Miss Global Teen there and also got the title miss teen Africa in 2010.

HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU GOT THOSE AWARDS?

It felt really good actually, because I was representing my beloved country. It felt nice to show the world that Egypt has a lot of potential; beautiful and intellectual women, women who strive to show the world what Egypt beholds.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT GIRLS WHO PAY FOR THEIR PHOTO-SHOOT AND CALL THEMSELVES “MODELS”?

I honestly think that it shows when they go to a real photo-shoot. I wish that these girls study and work on themselves to improve because we definitely need more models in Egypt. In Dubai, there are so many models so that when a designer comes from abroad he can choose whomever he wants. I, myself, took many courses with Shirley Shalaby. It’s a rising industry. Now, you can find a lot of MUA, photographers and designers. So, why not more models? Just prove that you are good.

SINCE YOU’RE ONE OF THE TOP MODELS IN EGYPT AND THE MIDDLE EAST RIGHT NOW, DON’T YOU THINK IT’S TIME TO SIGN WITH AN INTERNATIONAL AGENCY AND STOP BEING YOUR MAMMA’S GIRL?

I do have an international representation in Dubai. My agent there is Billie Mobayed “Life Model Management” and in Egypt I have a representation with Youssef Spahi. And I also have an international representation in Paris, Brazil and every country I went through my career. And about my mom, she’s one of the best. In the beginning, I was too embarrassed that mom is joining me during the shoot, but later on, I found out it’s the best benefit I can ever have because my mom knows me the best and she knows what’s best for me. Believe me it’s a blessing. NO, I would never change my mom being my manager. She handles all the technical things during any shoot.

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU DID SPARKLE AD?

AHHHHH Sparkle, I knew you were going to ask this one! Well, I was 15 or 16 when I did it. At that time they showed it for some time on TV and then stopped until the time of ‘Saheb EL Saada’, when they started showing it again. I won’t deny, they are smart BUT on my account and it’s sad that here in Egypt we don’t have any contract that fixes a limited duration for the advertisements. I WANT FREE SHAMPOO AT LEAST!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO-SHOOT?

My all time favourite was with Khaled Fadda and Maysa Azzab. “I’m Egyptian, what’s your super power?” And the 4 covers of ELLE of course.

WHY HAVEN’T YOU EVER POSED FOR LINGERIE OR A BIKINI SHOOT?

I don’t feel comfortable with it. I don’t do anything if I’m not 100% convinced and comfortable.

IS THAT THE ONLY REASON OR THE ARABIC’S TRADITION IS A FACTOR AS WELL?

Definitely, there is a side of this. But that’s not the main reason, I just don’t feel comfortable plus “The Egyptian tradition!”

WOULD YOU EVER THINK ABOUT DITCHING MODELLING FOR ACTING?

No, I would never ditch one for another. If I’m working on TV projects, I’ll put all my effort in it and try to fit in the schedule the photo-shooting if it comes up at the same time.

Imagine this; you have to keep up with acting, modelling, friends, family etc… It’s hectic. But let’s state an important fact, I LOVE MODELLING. It got me where I am now. I would never say no to a photo-shoot unless it’s, literally, impossible to do.

WE HEARD YOU HAVE A BROTHER CALLED AMR EMAD. HE’S A WELL KNOWN DJ. KNOWN AS DISCO MISR. IS THAT TRUE?

No actually Amr Emad is my best friend but the confusion comes from our surnames.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR CHARITY FOUNDATION “HELP FROM YOUR HEART”

Well, that’s what I was raised on and it’s what I love most in my life. I always participated in charity events and I thought that maybe it’s time to make use of me being recognised as a person therefore I can help put a spotlight on specific issues to raise awareness -“Come help me to help those people”.

Then in 2012, I thought of why not make my own charity foundation? I’ve used my connections with the charity foundations I worked with to help them also.

When I was thinking of the name, I wanted it to mean something. So I called it “Help From Your Heart Foundation” Cause if you don’t do it from your heart it’s meaningless.

‘Help From Your Heart’ is a foundation that aims to raise awareness and help orphans and street children and anyone in need of education funds, basic needs, food, clothes, books, etc., Without the classification of gender or religion.

“IT FELT REALLY GOOD ACTUALLY, BECAUSE I WAS REPRESENTING MY BELOVED COUNTRY. IT FELT NICE TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT EGYPT HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL; BEAUTIFUL AND INTELLECTUAL WOMEN, WOMEN WHO STRIVE TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT EGYPT BEHOLDS.”

HOW CAN PEOPLE VOLUNTEER?

People can help by donating old clothes or you can buy our T-shirt which is for 50 LE and it goes to the families and children that we support. Also you can stay updated through our page with our events if we go and distribute anything if you want to join.

WHO RECOMMENDED YOU FOR THE “SAHIB EL SAADA” SHOW? 

I was actually in Paris, I decided to focus on my modelling, and I even landed a big contract, it was a big thing for me, the day before I went to sign the contract my mother was in Egypt, she called me and said Tara, Mohamed Imam called, he and Adel want you in their TV series, so there was this long 20 second pause of really! When, where, how and why! It was a huge shock for me, because acting in front of Adel Imam is a huge step, it’s like bouncing 10 steps with your career. I didn’t hesitate I left the contract and Paris and went back the next day to meet Ramy Imam; we sat to talk about the details and the character. We started the next day; I didn’t have the time to pause and think about it, it was so fast! It was so thrilling working with everyone on the set.