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Star Spotlight: Idia Aisien

Idia Aisien is not just a pretty face on the screen, you might recognize her from her shows on Spice TV. What you don't know however is that she is a woman with a vision and a mind of her own. In this interview, she gives us first hand details of her personality, career, hopes…

Idia Aisien is not just a pretty face on the screen, you might recognize her from her shows on Spice TV. What you don’t know however is that she is a woman with a vision and a mind of her own. In this interview, she gives us first hand details of her personality, career, hopes and aspirations.

BACKGROUND

Tell us about yourself, growing up, family background, education etc.

My dad is from Edo State, Nigeria. My mum is from Cameroon. I have a lot of siblings, so I’ve always had my best friends within my family. I am also a last child so I was very spoiled, and also lucky to have so many elder ones that I could learn a lot from. I studied Journalism at American University in Washington, DC, and then moved to New York to study International Public relations at New York University. I started modeling professionally in New York during my Masters, then got a job after school that brought me back to Nigeria.

What else do you do for a living?

I host two TV shows on Spice TV called You’ve Got Issues and Style 101. I’m also launching a foundation that focuses on education and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.

Please fill us in on your rise to fame and how it all started?

I’m not famous, and I have no desire to be known for the wrong reasons. I’m honestly just a young girl trying to be relevant in the work I do. For me it’s about substance! I want people to see my story and believe that anything is possible if you are ready to work hard and not listen to people that tell you NO.

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CAREER

Which of your many jobs excite you the most?

I love hosting Style 101, which is Nigeria’s version of Fashion Police, and one of the largest shows on Spice TV, because it’s been such a great platform for me. I’ve gotten to meet so many people in the fashion and entertainment industry, and learned to work well under pressure. I also work with one of the most talented producers, so that definitely challenges me to push myself.

You have worked amid big corporations like Discovery Communications, Fox 5 News, the AARP Foundation, and the Foreign Policy Initiative, what would you say you took from your experiences with them?

Working for a lot of big corporations has made me very business minded and also well rounded in the media and communications field. Although, I am now working in fashion, I have gained invaluable skills and learned a lot about myself, and what I want in my life and career.

What other areas of your career are you looking to explore?

Hosting a show on travel, or a show with a live audience one day.

What has been the high point of your TV Career?

I’m still new in the business so I haven’t even reached my peak or plateau yet.

What has been the lowest so far?

Realizing that in this industry there are very few friends and being in the media makes me more accessible for criticism.

What are the plans for the future or short-term goals?

I plan to work more internationally. I’ll also be working a lot on commencing my foundation projects across Africa in the next year.

What inspired your need to help the underprivileged?

My parents were always very kind to people, and I watched them do a lot of volunteer work from a young age. My father gave mostly to church projects and projects in his state, while my mother was the president of the Lion’s club and she was always traveling to aid the underprivileged. My sisters and I spent most of our birthdays and valentine’s days at an orphanage in Lagos, so I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility in helping others.

BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE

What is your wake up beauty regime?

Meditation and Green tea: These days without my quiet time and space, it’s hard for me to get in my element, or get anything done during the day. Green tea is also my own little way of staying clean and it really helps my skin glow.

Do you have a diet plan you adhere to?

I eat whatever I want, but I stay away from anything with a lot of salt and sugars. I’ll sometimes do a detox to cleanse and rejuvenate, and when I’m looking for a weight fix I go high on fiber and proteins.

What is beauty to you?

Beauty to me is having a strong sense of self love and awareness. It’s also about taking care of yourself, staying true to your identity, and being unapologetic. I’m not a big fan of wearing too much make up or doing a lot with my hair and clothes; I feel beautiful when I’m simple.

Do you exercise?

I love to exercise and I’m in the gym at least 4 or 5 days a week. Exercise helps me think, sweat, and gives me the energy and motivation I need daily. I, however, don’t work out much on the weekends, cause I love to sleep in, and do laundry.

What is a day like in your life?

I start off my day with meditation, followed by music and hitting the treadmill to help me think. During the day, I am always busy and on the run, if I’m not shooting Style 101 or You’ve Got Issues, I’m doing interviews, fashion shoots or working on my own media and foundation projects. I love to unwind with a book in the evenings, watch a movie or go out for drinks with friends.

 

 

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