One on One With the Dancing With the Stars Winner, Daniella Rahme, Reveals Why She’s a True Role Model!
During this year’s El Gouna Film Festival, we got to interview a huge number of leading celebrities; locally, regionally, and internationally. Among my favorite interviews, was with the Role Model, Daniella Rahme! This woman does so much that and is successful on so many spheres, that it’s hard to briefly introduce her; but I’ll do my best!
Daniella Rahme was born in Sydney, Australia, and then moved to live in one of the most beautiful destinations in the region, Lebanon! She is best known across the Middle East for hosting MBC X Factor, and for winning Dancing with the Stars Season 2. She was also the Winner of Miss Lebanon Emigrant 2010. Rahme started her acting career strong with a complex role in Tango with Bassel El Khayat in Ramadan 2018. Adding to her endless list of titles, Rahme is also L’Oreal Paris’ Ambassador in the MENA Region, and we definitely know why!
How was your experience attending El Gouna Film Festival?
This is my first year attending the festival. I loved it, it was a beautiful experience overall. Meeting some of my favorite Egyptian actors, attending the Youssef Chahine tribute, going back in time to the era where he made some of his greatest films, seeing Yousra on screen in his films. Walking right next to Adel Eman, it was like a movie itself. I saw a festival on an international scale, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of such a festival in the Arab world.
What’s your future acting plans after the success of Tango in Ramadan 2018?
Of course, to continue acting, it’s been my dream since I was a little girl. I will go after the script that touches me the most. It’s important to follow your instinct as an actress. This is a world I’ve always dreamt of being apart of, finally, my dreams are turning into reality.
How being L’Oréal Paris’ Ambassador in the MENA region influence your career?
With L’oreal Paris I’m able to explore the inner and outer beauty and share that with the people. We are strong women, who do a lot of philanthropy programmes and inspire young women to love themselves for who they are. L’Oreal Paris is a brand that empowers women all over the world, as a spokeswoman I hope to inspire many.
How did growing up in Lebanon shape your personality?
It was a culture shock for me when I first came. Being born and raised in Australia. Everything was very different for me, but I knew that if I wanted to work in the industry where I had to adopt a little, most importantly it all started with the language, my Arabic had to be strong, I had to learn to read and write. As for my personality, I didn’t want to change it for anyone, I always wanted to be myself and hoped people would accept me for who I am, after all, I was born in Australia but I am of Lebanese blood, my Lebanese traditions & values are within me.
What was the turning point of your career?
First, it was definitely dancing with the stars, this is when people got to know me, it was a reality show, people were really able to discover “Daniella” as a person, as for acting, Tango was the Beginning of hopefully a very long journey.
What’s your favorite memory of Dancing with the stars?
The moment I won, of course, it was so surreal! I think I froze for about 2 minutes!
What would you like to accomplish with Heartbeat Foundation?
Since its inception in 2005, Heartbeat has treated in Lebanon countless numbers of children born with heart disease. 1% of babies are born with heart disease. 95% of them will survive if they have access to the necessary funds and treatment. As an NGO, they desperately need funds to continue doing this work. As an ambassador, my goal is to ensure that no infant child misses the opportunity for treatment purely for financial reasons. Raising awareness is my ultimate goal as I passionately believe every newborn deserves a fighting chance.
