Having your own identity in a fake world might be the hardest thing anyone can do right now. People need to understand that being someone else will not lead them anywhere and will slowly kill their identity. Amina Khalil, isn’t just an actress or a singer, she’s become an inspiration. Her Ramadan ad “Ana Keda” where she was talking about how people wanted to change her and asked her if she is willing to do any plastic surgeries and she refused, was a big hit! Her being herself, is what identifies Amina today.
Tell us more about yourself…
I love the film industry. All parts of it, production, acting, directing, and technical work, all of it. I get this buzz when I’m on location so I devoted my life to being a part of that world. Music is my hobby. I work on it in my free time. I love traveling and feeding my adventurous side. I’m a proud Scorpio. And I love seafood.
Interesting… Tell us, how were you chosen for Sprite’s Ramadan ad “Ana Keda”?
The whole Sprite story is actually quite funny. Once upon a time I worked for the agency that handles the Coca-Cola Atlantic accounts. When my boss hired me I remember him saying “You should be an actress. Why the hell do you want to work for me?” I persisted that advertising was what I wanted. Two weeks later I quit that job and decided to continue pursuing acting. Four years later, he called me and told me they wanted me for Sprite! I walked into the same office, but this time on the other side of the table. We laughed about it.
Wow that is funny! Good thing you went with your guts then… How did people react to the ad?
The same way people react to anything. Some like it, some don’t. I personally love it because it was so much fun shooting it, definitely one of the best experiences of my career.
In a field where everyone is acting, how do keep your own identity alive?
Dr Seuss said something very wise: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” And that pretty much sums up my motto. You just need to be true to yourself and never pretend to be something you’re not. It’s easy to see through “fake” people because their attitude feels so phoney. Take your own decisions and be responsible for them. Be courageous enough to stand up for what you believe in. And be connected within yourself to hear your instincts.
That’s motivating! Did you always have that confidence in yourself? Or did it come by time?
What’s more important than confidence, is for you to believe in yourself. Confidence is just the result of that.
What advice would you give to people to have their own identity and to be unique?
Don’t hold back in expressing yourself. Through your choices;what you say, how you look, even your facebook status, whatever the means just get it out there and don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t try to be different for the sake of being rebellious, because then you’d be trying and it won’t be genuine. Do what feels right in your gut.
Great advice! How do you start your day every day?
With a cup of coffee. Then I deal with the world.
Do you think it’s hard for Egyptians to be themselves with everything happening now?
No political leader/party should be able to dictate whether I can or cannot be myself. Each person is who he is. I think this is the most time they need to be themselves. I think we need to respect the culture we live in.
You’re right. How do you want to see Egypt today? And what are the things you wish to disappear?
I want to see Egypt a lot safer than where we are today.
What inspires you to be yourself?
Anything can inspire you so long as you are really open to it. I’m blessed to have a few phenomenal women in my life who are ranging age 19 to 73 and I learn from each and every one of them. All my experiences, whether good or bad, I learn from and when you learn about yourself, you can be truer to who you really are and establish your own original identity.
