Stephanie Saliba On Love, Hardships And Everything In Between

She is a demanding actress and she knows that every move she takes is scrutinized and that she fascinates wherever she goes. The young woman who reveals an unexpected facet in each project has become, over the years, a whole artist whose presence is evident today. She confided in us with her irresistible outspokenness.

We are impatiently awaiting your new series which will be released in Ramadan 2022. What can you tell us about this project?

The series is called "Sanawat Al Jarish" and the story takes us back to the 1940s, and more specifically to WWII in the Gulf region. The role I play is very new to me, I play Lina, who is a military character, which required intense physical training, and I also juggle several languages. Filming will take place overseas, not in Lebanon, and begins towards the end of December.

What projects are you working on at the moment?

I'm focusing on the series that will air during the month of Ramadan, the character requires, as I told you, a lot of work and effort. I am very proud to take part in this project which is a project of the film industry in the Gulf countries, it is a first for me after my experiences in Lebanese, Syrian and Egyptian projects. Likewise, I consider myself lucky to be a part of a historical series for the second time, a role coveted by many actors.

When you started your acting career did you have any vision for this career? 

Honestly no, my only concern is and always has been that every character I play leaves their mark on the hearts of the spectators. My goal is for the person who watches the movie or series to become attached to my characters, feel their emotions and feel connected to them.

You’re a beauty even when you’re not wearing any makeup. When did you first realize your beauty?

The compliments I receive always move me. Let's say I laugh to hide my embarrassment. In fact, I realized my looks very early on; I've always been told I was beautiful, ever since I was little.

You have a lot of courage to change your looks depending on the roles you play. Where does this courage come from?

My profession as an actress has given me the courage to change my looks depending on the role I play. I prepare meticulously and carefully for each role and the look helps me better embody the character I play. My look in Dakiket Samt and for which I had to gain a lot of weight and adopt a very short haircut as well as my role in Karma where I simultaneously played twins, one brunette and the other blonde are the two roles that most impressed viewers.

Has beauty been an asset or an obstacle in your career?

I am going to be frank with you and tell you that yes, beauty is a real asset in the career of any actress. I am not going to feel guilty for being considered beautiful, it is a gift from God and I am very grateful for it.

A turning point in your life as an actress?

I will never forget the day I signed the contract to star in the A Minute of Silence series alongside Abed Fahed. This series was the last series directed by the famous Tunisian director ChawkiMejri whose soap opera "Al Ijtiyeh" which chronicles the Israeli invasion of Gaza won the highly prized "Golden Emmy Award" in 2007 in the United States. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2019 and the 7th art lost one of its best representatives in the Arab world.

What project are you most proud of?

This is obviously "A Minute of Silence" or Dakiket Samt in Arabic. I am very proud of this project which was a phenomenal success when it was screened during the month of Ramadan 2019 and which has become a classic in the world of Arabic drama. I consider that this project was exceptional and will remain engraved in the hearts and the memories of the people.

When you shoot a scene, do you draw on your imagination or your personal experiences?

It depends on the scene, but in general I prefer to dig into the history of the character I'm playing and know everything about it. I put myself in character and do it all the way to go as far as I can, and that can take a toll on my energy.

How do you feel after a long day of filming?

I come home so exhausted and drained, that I often fall asleep in the car on the way home from filming. Bringing a character to life is a kind of fusion that drains all my energy and makes me feel, at the end of a day of filming, drained and exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

Regrets ?

Life is full of choices and regrets, but I find that one shouldn't let go of that bitter feeling of regret. Can we change the past? No, so I prefer to see regrets as a driving force and not as obstacles.

Which character do you dream of playing on screen?

There is a character that I dream of playing but I can't tell you who, because it's not just a dream, it's also a project I'm working on and I hope it will come true soon.

What sort of confinement have you experienced?

I was filming Donwtown during the lockdown; we couldn't stop filming and obviously I got the virus. 

You obviously love fashion; do you have plans to work on a fashion project? 

Fashion has been a great passion for me since I was very young, it's a world that fascinates and excites me, and one of my projects is to get started in this universe that I love so much. But nothing concrete so far.

How do you describe your relationship with social media?

It all depends on my mood at the time. I don't feel at all obligated to post a photo every day or reveal every aspect of my life. So I let my mood guide me, if I feel like sharing something, I do it, if not, I let it go and I just go on with my life.

How do you feel when people on social media judge you?

No one has the right to judge or bully others because you don't always know what others are going through. When it comes to a kind comment or a constructive criticism, I don't mind, but I find it pathetic to allow oneself to judge others cruelly and hide behind one’s screen and say nasty things.

You have the image of a healthy and radiant woman ... are you happy?

Yes, I am happy, I thank God for everything in my life and I feel grateful every day. I can tell you that it’s not happiness that makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.

What is more important to you: Love or friendship? 

Love, without any hesitation!

What do you look for first in both?

Respect, loyalty and mutual sharing are the basis of any relationship.

What are your plans this holiday season?

Being an actress, the fast and intensive pace of life doesn't leave me much time to spend with the people I love. So I am planning on spending this Christmas with my loved ones, just to disconnect a bit and devote some time to them, before focusing towards the end of the year on the filming of "Sanawat Al Jarish".

Your wishes for 2022?

2021 was for me the year of hard work, and the public will have the opportunity to discover the fruit of it in 2022. My wish for next year, meanwhile, is quite simple: positive energy for everyone. The last two years have been very hard, it's time to finally see the end of the tunnel!