Mariam Amin
Pride of the Arabs
By Michelle Clark
Egyptian TV and radio presenter Mariam Amin has carved out a unique place in the world of media, both at home and across Africa. From hosting the Africa Cup of Nations draw to standing alongside legends like Pelé and Samuel Eto’o, her journey is defined by preparation, passion, and authenticity.
Television and radio require a similar kind of preparation, but the feel is very different. On the radio, she says, it is like theater, the audience reacts to you as a person, to your character, without seeing you. On TV, appearance plays a major role; your clothes, your style, your entire look should match the type of program, whether it is a morning show, late-night talk, or entertainment.
But in both cases, the presenter must have substance. Media is not about being an expert in just one subject; you need to know a little about everything, and be sharp, honest, and credible. That is what the audience connects to.
She remembers one particular unexpected moment clearly, during the Africa Cup of Nations draw. The script said the Minister of Youth and Sports would give the speech, but since the Prime Minister was present, protocol dictated that he should deliver it.
There was a small gap in the program while the switch happened, but the audience never noticed. That is why, she insists, a presenter must always stay sharp and have more information than strictly required, so that if something happens, you can keep the flow without letting people sense a problem.
Her work has taken her across Africa, and she believes every African country has its own unique identity in culture, costumes, and folklore. Whenever a nation hosts, it leaves its own mark. When Egypt hosted, she and her team tried to communicate in Arabic, English, and French to reach the entire continent.
At the CAF Awards, she had the incredible honor of co-hosting with Samuel Eto’o, and she believes she was the first Egyptian presenter to share the stage with such a global legend for an entire international event. It was a huge responsibility, but she is grateful it went beautifully, and Samuel himself was pleased with their collaboration.
The Africa Cup of Nations draw also brought her one of the proudest moments of her career. She trended in Egypt for an entire week, something she describes as unforgettable, since trends usually last just a day. The viewership was incredible, around one and a half billion across multiple channels. People even gave her a new title, “Fakhr El Arab”, “Pride of the Arabs.” Usually, that phrase is reserved for Mohamed Salah, so it meant so much to her. Her parents, siblings, and friends were proud, and she says the moment felt like a rebirth of her media career.
She often gives advice to younger presenters, urging them to be themselves, be real, and believe in what they are saying. Preparation is essential, especially since the field is now so competitive, with artists, athletes, influencers, and digital creators all wanting to be presenters. Accuracy and sincerity are crucial, she says, because the audience should feel your genuineness. Appearance also matters, your look, style, and outfit must reflect the tone of the event or program. But above all, do your homework, because the audience can tell immediately if you are prepared or not.
Her career has given her the chance to meet legends, moments she describes as dreams come true. Meeting Pelé in Egypt was unforgettable. Presenting the FIFA World Cup trophy tour in the Middle East was another milestone.
Co-hosting with Samuel Eto’o was a huge honor. And presenting again with FIFA in Tanzania for the African Football League draw was another high point. Yet, the person she most hopes to meet is Mohamed Salah, not just because he is Egyptian and a source of pride, but because she would love to sit with him and really understand his mindset. She feels most interviews with him have not explored that deeper side, and she hopes one day to do so.
Mariam has presented almost every type of program, from politics to entertainment, talk shows, and talent discovery, both in Egypt and abroad. What she would love now is to return to variety and entertainment on a big scale, like she once did on Dubai TV, hosting shows such as Tarattatou, Sawalefna Helwa, and Laeb El Nogoom.
She believes people need light, joyful content, especially today. But she emphasizes that quality matters most, she would rather do fewer programs with real impact than many with little weight. As she prepares for her comeback on television after years of consistent work on radio, her hope is for her next project to be something truly important, big, and meaningful.
“Be yourself, be prepared, and be genuine.” That is Mariam Amin’s philosophy, and with her track record of professionalism and heart, it is clear her future in media is just as bright as the stages she has already graced.