Zainab Youssef

Meet Zainab Youssef Shaaban a well know TV Host. Zainab is very passionate about media. She wants people to take her seriously and not just for the fact that her father is a very well known actor.

We enjoyed interviewing Zainab this month for our readers and discovered many interesting things about her. We are sure you will love reading it.

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello I’m Zainab Youssef Shaaban. Just a normal 22 year old girl who is highly motivated to succeed in her job. I’m very passionate about media and growing up that’s all I knew. All my life I’ve been surrounded by studios and cameras and wanted to take this seriously when I grew up. I decided to make it my own profession and got a Bachelors degree in media. I want people to take me seriously about it and not just for the fact that my father is a very well known actor.

Tell us about some of your childhood memories?

My childhood memories are all based from my beautiful country Egypt. I loved how everyone was a team in everything they do and in any situation or scenarios. What I mean by that is growing up in Egypt I would always see people standing up for each other or help each other without any hesitation and I think that memory is very important because it’s part of what made me who I am today.

How did you get interested in the media field and what lead you to be a show host?

I was interested in media since I was young but choosing which field in media I wanted was a hard decision. All media fields might seem similar but are very different and I knew I wanted to be a voice that can spread a message and my dad had a deep feeling or belief that I was destined to be a TV Host and here we are.

What special preparations do you do before presenting a show?

Of course I would research about my guest and find out as much information and prepare questions that would embrace their talents. My best part is actually meeting them before the shoot and talking to them to get to know them better and see if there’s anything they’re not comfortable with so we can definitely work on it. I try my best on building a comfortable environment for my guest because I’m here for them and to highlight them and not the opposite.

Who has been your biggest mentor?

My dad without a doubt. He knew how hard media can be and didn’t want us to get into it unless we were fully dedicated to it and get our university degrees before making a decision. But, he saw that I had the ability to be a TV host since I first got accepted in university and before he passed away, he was and will always be by my side in every step I take his advice and lessons that I will carry with me throughout my life.

Are you interested in acting?

Yes, I am actually. I wanted to get to know every position in media so I was already an assistant director for a series because I wanted to be more behind the scenes in order to prepare for my leading role in a Khaleeji series.

What is your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement is that I got to make my dad’s dream come true and got to hear him say that he was proud of me. He wanted a university degree and to see me as a TV Host. So, I worked twice as hard to graduate earlier and worked as a TV Host during my last year of university.

What is your motto in life?

I would say keep moving forward. No matter what struggles I’m facing or whatever life would throw at me I would still move forward and that’s very important for everyone to do. If some bad news or you’re in a bad position right now just think of what your solution would be? What’s you next step? Because what’s done is done and there is no point to still keep thinking over it. Just always try your best to move forward and you won’t regret it.

Your favourite quote?

There are two actually and both really do support what I was saying about moving forward. First one is “it’s going to get better” and “if you’re scared of losing something, lose it so you stop being afraid“

What are some of your other hobbies?

I love sports. I was on the soccer, futsal, and volleyball team of my university. I love playing basketball and swimming is more of my stress release.

Your favourite music?

I listen to everything really, but I would say for English it goes from new songs to old school are all good to listen to.

Your favourite travel destination and why?

Egypt of course because, have you seen how beautiful my country is? But for a country I hope I can go to is New York because I really love the busy city with the night atmosphere over there.

Your all-time favourite movie (s)?

My friends can easily answer this and I can hear their voices screaming it already and that would be Rocky. This includes also includes Creed as it’s also a sequence to it.

What is your beauty and fitness secret?

I think beauty is within. If you have a positive mindset to yourself and the world that’s when you see a difference and start shining.

How do you relax?

Take me to the ocean or go for a swim. I need to be surrounded by water in a way for order for me to relax. Other than that helping my friends or family in any tiny or big situations. They really do help me relax because once they’re okay I am too.

What can’t you leave home without?

A smile! And of course my phone or else a lot of people would be mad.

What’s the best piece of advice you have heard and repeat to others?

This is also in Arabic but it says patience is beautiful. I would say it since I was a child and till now that’s one of the first things I tell people when they need an advice.

What are some of your plans for the future?

Hopefully to achieve more in my TV Host career and to grow bigger with a positive message that can reach everyone and be a friendly face to all.

Your message for us at CP magazine

Thank you for this amazing opportunity and it’s definitely my pleasure to be featured here in CP magazine. I love how motivated you guys are and where you have become. Having different and unique perspectives in people and make an art out of it on the magazine is just genius. As I said keep moving forward and Inshallah we’ll meet again.