With a captivating voice and a magnetic screen presence, Egyptian-Jordanian-Palestinian sensation Bassel Alzaro first lit up our screens as the unforgettable host of X Factor Arabia in 2013. From there, his star shone bright on the Arabic version of Entertainment Tonight, after also successfully venturing into acting. His TV debut was with his role alongside Cyrine Abdelnour in the TV series, Lea’bet El Mout (Death Game) in 2014. Alzaro went on to star in several other projects on the Egyptian screen, and this year, he made an impressive leap to Hollywood’s TV scene, in the FBI: International series. eniGma’s Farida Elserty had the chance to sit down with the extraordinary artist to find out more about his unique journey, his meteoric rise, and what lies ahead for him.
Growing up, Alzaro’s career dreams ranged from becoming a pilot to a wealthy businessman. “It was all a matter of chance,” he laughs. In fact, no signs were pointing to his future fame. So how did he end up in the entertainment industry? “My journey began during my first semester at university. A friend convinced me to accompany him to an audition for the Melody Premiere Program, and before I knew it, I was part of the program for a year alongside the late TV host Amr Samir. That’s how it all began,” Alzaro recalls.
Next, Alzaro participated in the Socca Stars program which was being shot in Beirut at that time. His focus shifted away from television after that, and he moved to London. He was considering an offer from L’Oreal Paris in Dubai, when the producer of Socca Stars, who had not seen him for eight years, approached him to host The X Factor. “I was surprised because she hadn’t seen me in a very long time. She asked me for some selfies and then invited me to audition, and I secured the job in 2013. I had to apologise to L’Oreal Paris,” he explains.
Alzaro studied marketing and business at MSA University and believes his academic background has significantly impacted his professional journey. “At the end of the day, a celebrity can be viewed as a brand, from a business standpoint,” he affirms, adding, “Understanding marketing principles is essential in this industry.” However, he believes that talent is the foundation of success. “Merely marketing oneself without genuine talent will not yield substantial results, or if it does, it may be negative,” he asserts.
Stepping onto the stage or in front of the camera, Alzaro transforms into a chameleon, seamlessly embodying captivating characters. “Acting offers me the ultimate freedom. I can be anyone—a president, a killer, a doctor. I get to live a thousand lives within a single lifetime,” he says.
In the vibrant tapestry of fame, Alzaro emerges as a figure that is both revered and relatable, his journey marked by the delicate dance between public admiration and private introspection. He remains grounded amidst the glitz and glamour. “Managing time and balancing personal and professional life is tough,” he admits. But he finds joy in the love of his fans, considering it a priceless gift. “I don’t mind the public’s attention,” he says. It reminds him of his grandmother’s prayers for him to be loved and holds onto her simple advice: stay true to yourself. “Being content and grounded is key,” he says, emphasising that he values authenticity above all. “It’s vital to continuously remind oneself of the importance of staying true to who you are and not allow stardom or success to overshadow your relationships with family and friends. This industry can challenge your sanity and soul, but safeguarding your identity and values is what keeps you motivated,” he adds.
Driven by a yearning to reconnect with his hosting roots, Alzaro founded Elpodcasters – which quickly became Egypt’s unrivalled podcast, streaming across platforms like Shahid and YouTube. In no time, his warm charm and knack for engaging his audience catapulted him to the top ranks of regional influencers, showcasing his versatile star power. “The beginning of my podcasting career can be traced back to my time in the United States, while I was shooting a short movie there,” he reflects. It was a fortuitous encounter with his now-partner, Karim Rihan, that sparked the inception of their podcasting venture. “Karim has always been passionate about podcasts, and one day he expressed his dream of starting one,” Alzaro recalls.
With a microphone in hand, borrowed from his frequent voice-over work, Alzaro decided to rent a studio to record the episode that marked their debut. The response to the episode was overwhelming, spreading like wildfire through word of mouth. “Karim shared it with his wife, who, in turn, shared it with her friends, and it quickly went viral,” Alzaro explains. “I am grateful to everyone who supported, trusted, and believed in us. What initially started as a fun endeavour, evolved into an entertaining and educational platform,” he adds. Their guest roster boasts an array of individuals, each offering unique perspectives and insights. “We have had the pleasure of hosting several guests who surprised us with their insights and perspectives,” he acknowledges, citing Mohamed Hammady, Reem Moustafa, Sarah Darwish, and Wassim El Sisi, among others. “We strive to challenge norms, creating an environment where guests feel comfortable sharing thoughts and perspectives they may not express in other programs,” he explains.
While balancing his podcasting persona with his acting career poses its own set of challenges, Alzaro finds solace in the authenticity of podcasting. “In acting, you immerse yourself in the life of a character, becoming someone else entirely,” he explains. Conversely, podcasting allows for a raw and unfiltered expression of self, a sentiment he holds dear amidst the demands of the entertainment industry.
Unexpectedly, while preparing for an upcoming season of the Elpodcasters in Dubai, he received an audition request from his agency, the Sovereign Talent Group, and his manager in the U.S., Marina Masowietsky. The request was for the hit series FBI: International. Detailing the serendipitous circumstances that led to his role as Hassan Abdullah in the series, and working with CBS, Universal Studios, and Wolf Entertainment, he recounts how, within two days, he found himself on the bustling streets of Budapest where filming was taking place. He was ready to embark on a new chapter in his career.
The magnitude of the show soon became apparent as Alzaro delved deeper into its world. “I had a conversation with Luke Kleintank, the main lead of the show, and when I went back to my caravan, I did some research and discovered the immense scale of the show,” he recalls. With esteemed director Nina Lopez-Corrado at the helm, Alzaro understood the weight of his role as a guest star. “My only request throughout the experience was to ensure that Arabs were not portrayed negatively,” he asserts, mindful of the importance of accurate portrayals on screen.
For Alzaro, his time on the set of FBI: International was nothing short of unforgettable, a whirlwind of experiences that shaped his journey as an actor. “During my first rehearsal, I struggled because I had difficulty with rehearsals in general,” he recalls. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, he found solace in the support of the director. “Recognising my struggle, the director approached me and asked me what was wrong,” he recounts. With her encouragement, Alzaro soared, delivering a performance that resonated with authenticity and depth.
But it was in the spontaneity of the moment that Alzaro truly found his stride. “In the second scene, I decided to add an Arabic comedic touch,” he shares. His addition elicited laughter from his fellow Arab actors, yet it was met with confusion from others. Undeterred, Alzaro navigated the delicate balance of humour and cultural sensitivity with finesse, earning the green light to improvise within the confines of the script.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of production, Alzaro found himself immersed in a world of linguistic exploration. “The provision of a language teacher to help us learn the Libyan accent was a unique experience,” he reflects. Yet, amidst the excitement, a revelation dawned – the teacher lacked proficiency in the Libyan dialect! With characteristic resourcefulness, Alzaro sought a solution, ensuring authenticity prevailed on screen. “On the first day of shooting, I informed the director about the situation and arranged for a Libyan person to translate the entire script into Libyan, using voice notes,” he recalls.
The response to his portrayal of Hassan Abdullah in FBI: International was nothing short of affirming. “Many people were surprised to know that I had not done action roles before, given my performance as Hassan Abdullah,” he reveals with a hint of pride.
Alzaro’s portrayal seems to have extended the life of his character on the show. “Originally, the character’s storyline was meant to end, but the producers expressed interest in further exploration of his character’s arc,” notes Alzaro. Alzaro’s own path on the international circuit also did not end with this show. “During my time in Hungary, I had the opportunity to audition for another international movie that is currently being filmed in Turkey. I have already completed 12 days of shooting for that project, with three more days to go before its release by the end of this year,” he says, confirming that he was revealing this news exclusively to Enigma Magazine.
Returning to the home front, Alzaro is turning heads with his recent role as Yehia in the TV show, Ben El Setour (Between the Lines), based on a Korean show. Alzaro finds comfort in the freedom he had to imbue his portrayal of the character with his unique touch. “One thing I loved was that my portrayal was unique because the character did not exist in the Korean version,” he says. Freed from the constraints of comparison, he was able to craft a character that resonated with authenticity and depth. As the success of Ben El Setour continues to reverberate, Alzaro remains humbled by its impact on audiences far and wide. “I was amazed by the huge success of the show and I am thankful for this opportunity,” he admits when asked if he anticipated its level of success.
As he looks towards the future, Alzaro’s aspirations extend far beyond the confines of any single role or project. He finds fulfilment in the simple act of bringing joy to others. “The ability to bring joy and happiness to people by putting smiles on their faces is what I strive to achieve,” he says, adding that at the same time, he “aims to put Egypt on the map.”
In the ever-evolving tapestry of his multifaceted career, Bassel Alzaro stands out as a beacon of talent, resilience, and unwavering passion. Continuing to chart new territories and break new ground, his impressive journey serves as a testament to his amazing talent, versatility, and willingness to take risks. We can’t wait to see what he will do next!
Photography: Abdallah Sabry