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| Leila wears Zuhair Murad and a Jovadi necklace and ring. |
This December Arabian Moda celebrates new beginnings with Leila Ben Khalifa.
Exceptional and expecting best describes Leila’s current state of mind. The mother-to-be breaks her social media pause, looks back at an international career from Milan and Paris, to the Middle East and soon Hollywood, as she exclusively announces pregnancy and reveals her love story for the very first time.
Fashion Editor & Stylist: Victor Concepto
Photographer: Rajah Kraiem
Filmmaker: Habib Dargham
Makeup Artist: Assia
Location: Paris, France
AM: Leila, you’ve had a versatile career, let’s trace back the debut of it in Italy…
I was born in Tunis and moved with my family to Italy at the age of five. I started a modeling career there while studying interior design at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome. After graduation, I lived in Milan and got scouted by TV producers for television appearances on Italian channels. My first national job was as a co-host for a daily talk show on Mediaset’s channels.
AM: And what came next for you in the Middle East?
I got my first acting role which was playing a character opposite my real-life personality in the Arabic film Maskoun, which was followed by a leading role in the pan-Arab series Maktoub. In 2015, I participated in Dancing with the Stars Arabia as a finalist. My most recent work in the region was hosting four seasons of Fashion Star Arabia on Dubai TV and Dubai One.
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| Dress, Zuhair Murad. Ring, Jovadi. |
AM: France was also a milestone in your professional life, describe your experience at the leading French channel TF1?
I
remain grateful for the opportunity that TF1 gave me. With the famous
host Christophe Beaugrand I co-hosted popular shows like The After
Secret and Le Debrief Quotidian. A sister company of TF1 offered me a
role on Les Mystères De L’Amour series. I’ve met so many great talents
and human beings during my time on the channel. Some of them became good
friends and family, but the most precious thing is the love I gained
from the public. They supported me and loved me in my good and bad
times.
AM: And if you had to choose between acting and television hosting, where do you find yourself the most?
I
honestly love both. But besides having the talent for it, I feel like
acting requires more dedication and hard work to achieve a high status.
What I find very fascinating in acting is that you employ your
creativity to be transported to another world. It allows me to be
whoever I want and whenever I want. It’s like a super power that enables
me to explore a different life in a new character I personify. I’ve
been studying so many personalities with my coach Carl at the Susan
Batson Studio. I’m really grateful for his support.
AM: Motherhood is around the corner, what kind of mother you will be?
Nobody
teaches us to be a good parent, it’s something that we are going to
experience when we have the blessing of having a child. So, what I can
say right now is that I will cherish this gift and will do my best to be
a compassionate, endearing, kind, protective, strong, intuitive and
caring mother.
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| Dress, Zuhair Murad. Earrings, bracelet and ring, Jovadi. |
AM: Your child will belong to different cultures and countries, what are some values you want to instill?
We
would love our child to speak several languages, be curious about the
world and other cultures, be tolerant, loving and respectful to all
types of people, and to be someone that wants to have a positive impact
on the world.
AM: Those who follow your stories will notice the love story you
share with your partner. Tell us how did you meet and where it all
started?
I met Alex years ago through common friends. As he is a
New Yorker living in Miami, and I am a Tunisian living between Milan and
Paris, we never really had the chance to connect. After four years we
bumped into each other on a summer holiday and he finally said more than
a hello. As soon as we started talking, we felt a strong connection. We
conversed about so many things and realized that it was like we were
talking to the male and female versions of ourselves. At one point we
were even completing each other’s sentences. We were very intrigued by
one another and we’ve been together everywhere since then. I found the
love of my life, my best friend, partner in crime, my twin and flame,
all in one person. Both of us are very passionate people and together we
discovered how powerful our shared passion is. We trust each other in
both of our separate worlds, and we elevate each other with constant
open communication. I’m very lucky that the universe has sent me the
person that I see having a family and spending the rest of my life with.
We couldn’t be any happier and more blessed now with our baby on the
way.
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| Dress, Zuhair Murad. Earrings and ring, Jovadi. |
AM: You currently live between many cities and mainly in Miami, how do you balance having different homes?
I’ve
always been a citizen of the world. Having different homes has been
part of my reality and I feel lucky about it. Wherever I am, I make sure
to have a productive day to maintain my routine and good life habits.
AM: And speaking of that, living between warm and cold climates, how is your fashion style like?
Having
two houses, I keep my winter clothes in one and summer clothes in the
other. I usually travel light because of that. My style depends of the
occasion; My daytime look has to be a comfortable with a sport-chic
vibe. I go for more feminine and glamorous at night. I really like to
play and experiment with different styles.
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| Leila and Alex at the Cannes Film Festival. |
AM: Talk us through a day in the life of Leila
I sleep 8-hours a night and keep myself hydrated. I start my day with a cup of hot water, ginger and lemon. I eat a lot of fruits and balanced meals. I allow myself to have a cheat day because it’s good for the soul. I work out 3 to 4 times a week, I practice Pilates, Thai boxing and cardio. I like to have a simple beauty routine and do facials every month. And last but not least, I try to be happy even when things are not always ok. I see the glass half full.
AM: Besides the baby shower and maternity break, what’s next for you?
My pregnancy has been such a blessing for me to the point that the things I was manifesting in the United States have begun to materialize. I will be shooting my first US movie in January. It’s an incredible story inspired by true events and is produced by a real talent, Danny Abeckaser. We have an incredible cast that includes Domenick Lombardozzi, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Joseph Russo to name a few. I can’t wait for this experience to begin.
AM: A message to your followers?
I would like to take a second to say that I love them and will always be appreciative for their support and apologize if I disappear from social media. I need to find myself and my happiness every now and then, to come back stronger with good news that make them proud.