Spotlight on Success: an In-Depth Interview with Actor Ahmed Ghozzi

The film and TV industries are definitely changing, and it's super exciting to see. All over, there's this big shift towards younger actors and actresses, making space for a new generation of stars that really get what audiences today are expecting in terms of stories, creativity, and performance. It's all about bringing in fresh faces and new ideas. That's why we're focusing on Ahmed Ghozzi - he's one of those rising stars shaking things up and showing what the new wave of talent looks like.

Photo by Nadine Elwasly

Ghozzi is a young Egyptian actor—scratch that—he's a young Egyptian star, and he's got a future so bright, we're gonna need shades. Ahmed may be a fresh face in the acting world, but he's already stacking up an impressive showreel that's got people talking.

From global gigs like playing Adnan Khashoggi in “The Crown” and Mo in “Walkout 1”, to shining in short films, and then killing it in local roles like Sheshtawy in “Al-Harifa”, Tarik in “Darb Nar”, and Abu-Othman in “Resalet Al Imam”, he's proving he's got what it takes. Here at The Teen Magazine, we're all about cheering on young talents, so of course, we had to grab a moment with him for a quick chat.

Personal Life and Career

First off, I just had to ask him how it all started—what sparked his passion for acting. He shared that his first real acting experience was during his school years, in a play called “Fikra”. That pivotal experience at the tender age of 15 or 16 marked the beginning of what promises to be an endless journey of creativity.

But here's something that might surprise you: it wasn't all smooth sailing from the get-go. “My father was completely against acting,” Ghozzi revealed. However, his mom has been his rock, supporting him right from the start, and his dad eventually came around after witnessing his son's talent and growing success.

Digging deeper into Ahmed's acting journey, I was curious about his approach to preparing for roles. “I think I would do anything the part requires me to do, to a certain extent, of course,” he told me. He then shared his personal process, saying, “Personally, I like to take my time while preparing a lot. I like to read a lot of the script, just so that things sink into my subconscious.”

Looking at Ghozzi's journey, it's fascinating to see how he kicked off his career internationally before diving into local roles. I was curious about how this experience shaped him. He explained, "It really helped me grow and understand the kind of projects I want to be part of.

It taught me a lot about the industry." Starting in the UK, in a totally new culture and industry, was a huge learning curve for him. "When I came back here, I had a CV that showcased my work," he said, believing this opened new doors for him in Egypt. Reflecting on his journey, Ahmed added, “God makes things work. I'm not sure if there's anything that is a coincidence.”

Courtesy of Mad Solutions

However, when I brought up his rapid success, Ghozzi humbly disagreed, feeling that it actually took quite a while. “I think it's a matter of hard work and time. And after some time, God just opens some gates for you,” Ahmed shared. He then admitted that this journey of hard work was also slowed by periods of overthinking, saying, “I remember that at so many points I was like, ‘Is this working out?

Am I actually going to get there? Are people going to see me? Are people going to love my work?’” And, without a doubt, people have seen and loved his work, but what can I say, overthinking does get to the best of us sometimes.

Though, I had to ask whether the love from people and his rising popularity ever made things a bit easier for him, but he strongly disagreed. He explained that it actually increases the responsibility, “because now all these people are waiting for your next project with high expectations, but I would love to give them even more than their expectations”.

Revisiting his range of roles, I was eager to find out which character resonated with him most. To my surprise, he chose Sheshtawy. "I really love this character so much because I spent like three months working on it before shooting," he explained, highlighting the deep connection and authentic energy he brought to the role. When asked which role was the most instructive, he valued all his characters, noting each one offered unique lessons.

Yet, he stressed the importance of being cautious about a role's impact on his mental state, particularly mentioning how playing Tarik, a drug addict, took a toll on him mentally: “I remember I was in a very bad state for some time. And after I finished, I just said to myself, ‘hey, listen, this is a project, and now it's over. Just let it go.’” This insight reveals the intricate balance between embodying a character fully and then releasing it, a testament to the complexities of acting.

Courtesy of Mad Solutions

With the rise of new technologies and the widespread use of social media apps, direct communication with artists online has been growing rapidly. When I asked Ghozzi about how he handles comments, he said he tries to read and respond to as many people as he can. Regarding negative feedback, he takes a constructive approach, “I try to take it in and see how I can improve.

I first try to understand why this person said that, and then I question myself, asking, does that make sense to me?” He shared. He also noted that a single person's negative view is just that—an individual opinion, which he respects but doesn't let sway him.

Well, in an industry as demanding as the film industry, it’s quite a challenge to find a balance between personal life, privacy, and work. When asked about it, this is what Ghozzi had to say: “You know, I think I always try to be just myself,” adding that he remains the same person regardless of his surroundings, and he aims to stay true to himself forever. And, if I were to judge, I'd say people can really see that authenticity he strives for.

Photo by @soma_photography19

Platform productions and short series have been gaining momentum in the Egyptian market lately, so, I was curious about his views on this trend. “I'm actually in love with the fact that there are plenty of productions for young actors and actresses being produced at the moment,” he mentioned, expressing hope to participate in one soon – and I’m sure we’d all be thrilled to see him in action. While he hesitated to pick a favorite, he mentioned enjoying “Rivo” and “Balto”, and he's eager to watch “Hala Khassa.” And for anyone not yet familiar with these shows, they come highly recommended – you won’t regret diving in!

Lastly, before moving on to my next set of questions, I just had to ask him for a piece of advice he'd like to share with young and upcoming stars. “I would tell them never let anyone get in the way of your dreams. Always keep pursuing what you want, because no one has the same vision that you have, and no one can see what you have in mind. As long as you plan and work hard, God has your back.”

Al-Harifa

Before diving into the questions, I've got to highlight "Al-Harifa" was so captivating I saw it twice at the cinema. The film follows Maged's journey from a private to a public school, where his soccer skills win over his peers and lead them to a thrilling competition. The movie's energy, paired with a fantastic soundtrack and a stellar cast including Nour El-Nabawy, Ahmed Ghozzi, Kozbara, Abdelrahman Mohamed, Selim El-Tourk, Khaled Al-Zahabi, Bashat, and more, makes it a global hit. I definitely recommend checking it out at your local cinema.

Courtesy of Mad Solutions

To start, I asked Ghozzi about how he snagged the role of Sheshtawy. He explained it was pretty straightforward—his team got a call from production, he auditioned, and landed the part.

When I probed for his first impression of the character, he admitted, “I was terrified at the beginning honestly, it was a big challenge for me but I really wanted to take that challenge,” highlighting his initial nervousness yet eagerness to embrace the role. He grew to love Sheshtawy's depth and the character's evolution. “I loved the idea that he is this Pablo Escobar of the school.” No, Sheshtawy wasn't a drug lord, just the big guy on campus.

Glancing at Ghozzi and Sheshtawy, you instantly see they're worlds apart, so I was curious about Ahmed's perspective on their differences. "It's a completely different lifestyle," he noted, highlighting that Sheshtawy's life as a pro footballer and his different physique—plus Sheshtawy's 16 brothers versus Ghozzi's single sister—set them apart. Ghozzi had to train extensively in football and hit the gym to match Sheshtawy's athletic build. He also gave a shoutout to the entire cast for helping flesh out Sheshtawy's background and physical presence.

Courtesy of Mad Solutions

Ghozzi also opened up about the introspection that comes with each role, revealing he often contemplates how he might approach a character, thinking, "if I get this now, I'm gonna play it in a completely different way,"though he accepts that what's done is done. He watches his performances critically but feels a particular, yet rare, sense of contentment with Sheshtawy, saying, "I'm satisfied with Sheshtawy.”

The movie's unexpected success prompted me to ask Ghozzi for his thoughts on the matter. He says he was hopeful but never anticipated the scale of its success. As for why it was such a success, he believes, “I think the energy of the whole cast and crew is something that contributed a lot to this success.” He's spot on because when you watch the movie, you can feel the authentic chemistry that exists even when cameras aren’t rolling, which makes the story even better.

Lastly, when I asked him for a quick, spoiler-free summary of the movie, he shared, “I would say that it's a story full of hope, about a few teenagers finding their way in life. That's what I would say.” Perfect sum-up.

Fun Questions

If you’ve read this far, you’re a certified Ghozzi fan, and let me just say, you deserve this fun segment.

Q: Are there any dream roles or types of characters you hope to portray in the future?

A: “Yeah, I feel like I want to play a romance. And I also want to play something that portrays a mental disorder or something."

Q: If you could switch lives with any character you've played, which do you think would be the most fun?

A: “I would definitely switch lives with Sheshtawy for a day.”

Q: What's your favorite way to unwind when you're not working?

A: “I think most of the time, I travel, probably on my own. Get back to my own thoughts, you know.”

Q: If you hadn't pursued acting, what career path do you think you would have chosen based on your interests or skills?

A: “I think I would have been more into writing. I'm exploring that at the moment.” And we’re definitely excited for Ghozzi the writer!

Q: For all the admirers out there, does love have a place in Ahmed Ghozzi's life, or are you solely focused on work?

Drum roll, ladies!

A: “I think at the moment, it's more work and family.” You still have a chance.

Q: If you could bring any person's life story to the screen, whether they're alive or deceased, whose story would you want to portray?

A: “I think I would choose Omar El Sherif. I've always been interested in delving into his life.”

Q: Can you share any hints or teasers about your upcoming roles? Are there any exclusive details you can reveal to your fans?

A: “No, let's keep it like this at the moment. I don't think I'm allowed to speak about things yet.” I tried to get more information out of him, but he was too persistent on keeping quiet.

Unfortunately, this marks the end of our chat, but if you're keen to dive deeper into Ghozzi's world, why not keep up with him online? You can follow him on Instagram @ahmedghozzi or check out his official Facebook page, Ahmed Ghozzi, for the latest updates and more.