RIYADH: Reem Al-Bliwi, one of Saudi Arabia’s youngest and most recognizable TV presenters, recently spoke on The Mayman Show about the honor of working in the Kingdom’s media industry.
Al-Bliwi burst onto the scene with Studio SBC, a TV show that is a part of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority network.
“Well, I think I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to be doing something I wanted to do, but did not expect to be doing (it) at such an early age,” she said.
Al-Bliwi quickly earned her spot in the national spotlight with her poise and presence.
With a background in modeling and an identity shaped by her Mexican mother and Saudi father, Al-Bliwi brings a unique blend of confidence, curiosity, and cross-cultural understanding to her work.
Al-Bliwi began pursuing a television media career while she was at university.
“So, I took the opportunity, and at first, I’m not going to lie, I was afraid, because it felt like I had zero experience at the time. I was still doing my bachelor’s degree in public relations — I had just been accepted.”
Al-Bliwi recalled that she was hesitant due to the difficulty of finding a balance between studying and working.
“So, it felt like I’m either going to succeed or I’m going to ruin it for myself ... like maybe forever who knows. So I took the opportunity, and I said, OK, why not. I’ll do the casting, and I got accepted. I was rehearsing for like maybe a couple of months.”
After her training Al-Bliwi was offered a fashion and beauty segment on SBC’s morning show.
“For me, it was OK, because, I didn’t have much experience at the time. I had just started building my career. I had just been accepted in public relations, so it was fun ... it was a good start.”
Al-Bliwi dazzled SBC’s morning show editor-in-chief who then told her that she was chosen to be a main presenter of the program.
“I was nervous, but maybe that’s the moment where I felt, ‘OK, this is what I’m supposed to be doing ... this is where I belong.’”
Al-Bliwi recalled how her first outing in the media spotlight was modeling. “I was actually very young. I started doing it very casually, then I found myself actually committed to it.”
She added that the landscape of the fashion and beauty industry was different five years ago.
“I’m proud of what we have accomplished in those past five years. I mean, we see now the Fashion Commission, everything they are doing — even for the modeling career — and all the programs they have been doing. I’m really proud of that.”
Al-Bliwi said that her mixed background has shaped her views of how to communicate with the world.
“Saudi is very rich in culture, and also Mexico is very rich in culture. So, I think, having those two parts, I get to appreciate that. And I get to learn more about culture, heritage, history and everything.”
