Raya Abi Rashid, an announcer at MBC, is known for her love of work, calmness and simplicity. She is famous for hosting the popular program, 'Stars.' She interviews top actors and in a short time, she succeeded in attracting a large audience.
Was it your childhood dream to work on TV?
No, but I was very interested in both TV and cinema. When I was a student, I got a job at Jabal Lebnan radio station; my goal was to earn extra money in order to travel. After working for six months, I got an offer from Lebanese MTV and discovered that I liked that kind of work. In 2000, I applied to work for MBC and hosted a program called 'Cinema World." The name was later changed to 'Stars.'
Have you considered acting or singing?
Sometimes I think of acting because I enjoyed acting when I was in school. As for singing, I refuse because I do not have a good voice.
Is it easy getting an interview for Arabic TV with famous international stars?
The actors normally are concerned with marketing their movies in the Middle East. Since marketing will bring more money, they do not object to being interviewed. Hollywood actors think about money more than they think about geography. I must aadmit that public relations are very important in this business. For five years, I have been developing good relations with producers and cinema studios; they know me now and they like my interviews
- in addition to the fact that the name of MBC as an Arabic channel is popular in the Arab world.
Do the international stars lay down certain conditions for appearing on your program?
Usually they ask us not to ask personal questions or talk about sensitive personal subjects. I know that many
people say we pay the stars a lot of money but that is
not true.
To what extent does MBC support you financially?
To me, money is not everything but without it, I could not do my work. MBC supports me both morally and financially. It gives me the budget that the program needs which in return guarantees the program's success.
Do you accept criticism?
I love criticism. Because of the nature of our work, we are open to criticism and we want to hear it.
What type of criticism do you usually get?
Some say that I speak too rapidly. Others crtisize my style saying it's too simple but I think my clothes are fine.
Arab satellite channels are very interested in the way their presenters look. If an announcer is overweight, they will ask her to lose weight.
Appearance and beauty are very important to announcers especially at the beginning. But if the announcer cannot present, she will be criticized and viewers will not follow because professionalism and content is much more important than the way she looks.
How did you lose weight?
I do not believe in diets. I believe in sports, that's how I lost 15 kilos. It is very hard to convince people not to eat but not difficult to convince them to exercise.
Any romance in your life?
I am 26 and single, I see myself as too young to marry. Also, I haven't met a man I wanted to marry yet. My friends say that the man I want does not exist. But all I want is a simple, handsome, intelligent man who smiles all the time, and loves music.