California Dreaming

The young Egyptian actress and model is at the beginning of a career that she has every right to expect things from. She speaks four languages, has already written a short film, spends much of her time studying acting and is currently paying the bills with modelling work. She’s excited, we’re excited, and she even took time out of a Saturday night out to chat to us on the phone. Amanda, we love you.

NOX: What are you up to right now?
Amanda Banoub: Well, right now it is late on a Saturday night and I’m in a hookah bar with my friends in Los Angeles, close to UCLA. Smoking has actually been banned for the longest time here, but for some reason this place gets away with it! It’s pretty small, so I guess it’s off the radar.

NOX: And what are you up to career-wise?
Amanda: There’s a lot going on, actually. I have just shot a commercial for a dating website, and I am working with this amazing photographer Joaquin Palacin on building up my portfolio. He’s worked for Spanish Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and I am a big fan of his work. I actually called him up on spec – which photographers never usually respond to – but he liked my look and what I was trying to do. I am really pursuing my dream of acting, but I can’t resist the world of modelling! These new shots are very sexy, which is a new thing for me.

NOX: Both your parents are Egyptian, have you spent much time over in this part of the world?
Amanda: I used to, but haven’t for a while. The last time was when I was 12, and that was just for a week – which was a disappointment as the trips were usually for months on end. I loved it and felt a real connection. I was born and brought up in America, but never really felt American – it was a weird upbringing – and it was incredible to be amongst people like me.

NOX: So, did you have a schizophrenic upbringing in California, very Arab at home, typically American outside, with high school and partying and everything?
Amanda: Are you kidding? I wish! My parents were very protective, and still are. It’s actually very interesting considering what I am doing for a career now, and one minute they can be very supportive, and at other times they hate it.

NOX: What did they say about these pictures when they saw them?
Amanda: Honestly, my dad didn’t say anything. I genuinely believe he doesn’t what to say – or to think. In some senses, what I do is a slap in the face to them; they are both educated to a very high level, but I didn’t want to go to college, I just wanted to go to drama school and start my career.

NOX: In the modelling world, do you think that being Arab in America has actually helped somehow? That with all the politics surrounded the Middle East in the US, it’s actually fashionable?
Amanda: Oh, from the get-go, being Arab-American has helped me. Most people ask me, “You’re pretty, where are you from?” It’s always a point of interest, and I think helps get me noticed. I used to have a manager who would actually steer me away from it, asking me not to talk about where I was from or not to make an issue of it. But people say I look very exotic, so it’s natural ask where I’m from.

NOX: You want to be an actress, so when can see you in a film or TV show?
Amanda: This is something I have been building towards since I was 15. I went to Orange County High School of the Arts, and have been developing my skills ever since. I could easily have got an agent by now, but I want to hold back until I felt confident enough in my skills to compete with anybody in the audition. I want to most accomplished person in the room. So, while I doing that, I am my own manager, and am building up my brand – where I get control over who I am and the work that I do.

NOX: A lot of Arab-American actors feel a responsibility to their roots. Would you turn down roles that, say, had you portray a terrorist or criminal?
Amanda: Definitely. You have to be very careful choosing your roles in this industry; people in Hollywood stereotype you from day one, so if you’re a terrorist in your first role, you’ll be a terrorist from there on in. But then again, I am an actor, and it’s about playing a character not yourself. So, you have to find a balance; I’d probably talk to a priest before taking a role I wasn’t sure about!

NOX: In five years time, what will the name Amanda Banoub mean to moviegoers?
Amanda: I want to be a truly international movie star – making films all over the world. I speak French and Italian as well as English, and I’m developing my Arabic, so I would love to appear in films made across the planet.

NOX: Could that include movies in your home country of Egypt?
Amanda: I would love that! I grew up on Egyptian movies. My mum would put them on and fore me to sit through them – even though at the time I really hated them, and wanted just to watch American TV! I love Hani Slimana and it would be great to appear in a movie there.

NOX: So, whose career do you admire and would like to replicate?
Amanda: I really admire Monica Bellucci; she’s not only beautiful and mature, she plays roles in Italian films, French films, American films. I also love Sean Penn; I love any actor who can chose their roles without giving in to the business.

For the full version of this interview plus more stunning photographs, see NOX34