Production: Red Pepper Films
Stylist: Poucy El Shahawy
Assistant Stylist: Sandra Ossama
Makeup: Noha Ezz El Din
Hair: Malak Samy/ Al Sagheer salon
Image Management: Amal Tayssir
Dress: Rami Al Ali
Jewelry: Yessayan
You may have heard of Passant Shawky, but did you know how she got her role in Turab El Mass and Lahem Ghazal? We sat down with Shawky at this year’s El Gouna Film Festival and got all the details on what it’s like to be a woman juggling between two jobs in this day and age and so much more, and if we’re being honest we think she’s a role model for hundreds of young Arab girls that will surely become the future leaders of tomorrow.
Grazia: As a well-known actress making waves in the industry, not a lot of people are aware of your other career path. Could you tell us more about it?
Passant Shawky: I work as a part-time investment banker & deputy general manager in an investment banking company, private equity. I worked in private equity for a long time, then I started working in acting, and I quit my job. Two months later, I got a part-time job where they were aware that I had quit previously for acting and they were a lot more flexible. But acting is not a hobby, nor is it a side-hustle. I am very stressed all the time and I have my laptop with me whenever I have deadlines. Sometimes I’m also working in-between takes and in-between scenes.
“I’m a very independent woman and I would never want any man to provide for me whatsoever.”
So, I decided that I was not going to quit my job until I was stable. When I was raised, I saw a lot of women around me depending on men to provide for them. I am completely against this. I can work from home if I finish what I have to do. I will only quit when it comes to a point where I cannot manage both the jobs efficiently, but currently I am able to.
G: When it comes to your professional life as a woman, are you asked a set of questions that your husband does not get asked?
P.S.: I’m always asked how I’m able to juggle between my family and my career. Even in investment banking, there’s a glass ceiling. They always say that even in Wall Street, women cannot reach the top positions because there’s this idea that when they get married or they get pregnant, they’re not going to be as efficient as the men. So, you don’t find a lot of women in the top ranks.
G: As a woman juggling between your family and successful career, do you believe that you can do both?
P.S.: In all honesty, I do believe that it gets difficult to manage. Some years you are going to be more career-oriented and probably sacrifice your family time and vice-versa. It’s just about knowing when to balance and how to balance it so that you don’t feel guilty.
“In the professional sphere, a lot of women come with a defensive attitude. Whereas men, they don’t have to earn it, in a way, it’s easier for them. And then in the personal sphere, women are expected to take the responsibilities.”
Logically speaking, if I have a kid right now and we had to choose who had to give up their career, it would be me. But that is also because his roles are far more important than mine currently; it depends. If it is a role that defines my career path, I would take it.
G: What career advice would you give our readers?
P.S.: Never let another person’s opinion change how you see yourself. Don’t get distracted and never be shy to ask. I was very shy when I started, and I used to wait for people to give me opportunities. I used to take very slow steps, because of which I probably wasted four years of my life not taking any big steps. I also had this ego struggle because I was successful in my investment banking background and to start another career altogether needed courage. I had to forget my persona and start from the beginning. So never be shy to ask. I guess I know my worth more now and I know what I bring to the table. What’s meant for you will come if you just keep knocking.
G: What are your thoughts on people leaving their stable jobs to follow their passion?
P.S.: I think everyone has their own priorities in life. Like if I’m married and I have installments that I have to pay and a kid that I need to provide for, I cannot be careless. There’s a utopian theme in the current generation to follow your heart and although I completely believe in that, you must be smart in your choices. If you are a provider for a family, that needs to be your priority too. So, I believe everyone has different priorities. If one is very passionate about something, go ahead and do it. It takes a lot of courage. I wish I had that courage, but I have my own baggage that I need to resolve before I can take that risk.
Interview courtesy of Twinkle Stanly & Yasmin Reda.
