Laila Abdullah : A Timeless Talent and Captivating Presence in an Exclusive Interview with 3oud

Feb 1, 2025

Jewelry: Roberto Coin, Fashion: Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Hair: ID Beauty Refinery, Make-up: Sara AlShatti

With a distinguished performance and an enchanting presence, actress Laila Abdullah has secured a place in the hearts of audiences, delivering diverse roles that reflect her artistic maturity and evolving career. From the screen to the world of fashion and beauty, Laila has become a symbol of contemporary elegance and refined femininity, effortlessly capturing attention with her striking looks that embody her strong and ever-evolving personality.

In an exclusive interview with 3oud, Laila unveils the secrets behind her success, shares how she balances her professional and personal life, and offers insights into her views on fashion and beauty, along with the key milestones that have shaped her journey in the industry.

As an actress and style icon, what’s your ideal self-care routine, and how do you find the balance and make time for yourself amidst all the travel and public appearance?

I try my best to organize my time between TV work, filming, and social media. I don’t have a strict routine, but I make sure to take my time with everything, plan my schedule, and adapt to the required appointments and tasks.

However, I do have a personal routine that I love. As soon as I wake up, I take my supplements, go to the gym, and journal a lot—I write down three to five things I’m grateful for. When I come back from work and finish everything, I do some breathing exercises, take a shower, and unwind. It all depends on what’s available and what I can manage—I never pressure myself too much.

Is there a particular role or project that has been especially meaningful to you, or has taught you something different about yourself?

Every role and every experience has taught me something. Sometimes, it's not just the role itself but the filming experience that has taught me patience and how to adapt under pressure—an important skill I’ve gained. Other times, I see something in the character I’m portraying, whether it’s a trait or a principle that resonates with me, and I find myself wanting to adopt it.

Jewelry: Roberto Coin, Fashion: Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Hair: ID Beauty Refinery, Make-up: Sara AlShatti

What principles or habits do you live by that have helped you succeed in both your career and personal life?

I love what I do. If something doesn’t feel like me, doesn’t reflect my personality, or feels too far from who I am, I simply don’t do it. I also respect everyone’s work and never interfere—I just supervise from a distance.

A person must always strive and try new things without fearing risks or failure. I’ve never been afraid of failure; on the contrary, I love to experiment and explore new opportunities.

As someone who inspires so many with your style, where do you draw your own fashion inspiration from, both in and out of the spotlight?

Honestly, I don’t have a single fixed source of inspiration. Every woman I come across in my life inspires me in some way—whether in work, fashion, or anything else.

Jewelry: Roberto Coin, Fashion: Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Hair: ID Beauty Refinery, Make-up: Sara AlShatti

How would you describe your personal style and how does it align with your lifestyle and values?

My personal style aligns with my current lifestyle—whether I’m filming or traveling. But I do have my own routine; I love working out, eating healthy and nutritious food, and discovering new things. I’m a very flexible person, and I’ve learned that flexibility is what has changed me the most.

What’s one moment in your life when you felt really impowered or had the confidence to step into a challenging role or situation?

There have been many milestones, but my first was when I turned off my phone on my first day of filming and officially became an actress. I didn’t ask for permission from anyone, but I knew I wanted to achieve my dream.

The second moment was when I stepped up and spoke openly about everything.

There have been many defining moments—I’m someone who loves to challenge myself. Every time, I want to take a bold step forward. It might seem risky or daring to some, but I thrive on these challenges.

Fame is glamourous, yet challenging. What’s one thing about being a public figure that most people don’t realize?

The challenges of fame, being in the spotlight, and having everyone watch your every move, especially from a young age, have been a lot to handle. I started acting at 14 and entered the entertainment industry at an age full of mistakes, traps, and stumbling blocks.

As an ordinary child with parents who would punish and hold me accountable, I found the whole world holding me accountable for my mistakes. Everyone was trying to teach me, telling me what’s right and wrong, which led to confusion.

Now, I understand that as a public figure, everyone will judge you, but the real challenge is how to remain confident and not let every word shake you.

What people don't know about me is that I love art and acting, but sometimes fame can be overwhelming. However, thank God, there are positive aspects as well.

Jewelry: Roberto Coin, Fashion: Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Hair: ID Beauty Refinery, Make-up: Sara AlShatti

If you could create a fashion line inspired by one of the characters you played, what would it look like? What would you want to convey through it?

I will blend different personalities, not just one. I plan to mix elements from the 80s, like staying up late, with something modern. I'll create a street style line, but with a vintage touch—combining the old with the new. I really love fashion in general and all the beautiful pieces.

As for my roles, they’re all different, but if I were to combine them, I think it would create something amazing.

What I want to express in my fashion line is that every girl should be able to wear whatever she wants, whatever makes her feel comfortable. It’s about expressing a bold, strong personality, while also offering pieces that fit both the housewife and the CEO.

Your fans often look up to you for inspiration. What advice would you give young people who want to express themselves through fashion?

The first thing I would say to them is: You are beautiful in everything—whether it's your appearance, your weight, your height, or any unique feature you have. We all reach a point where we learn to know ourselves and take pride in our qualities and the details that make us who we are.

Fashion isn’t just for a certain type of person; it’s for everyone. You can express your identity and personality through your clothes. Invest in beautiful, meaningful pieces that will last with you for a long time.

You have made and impact in both acting and fashion at such a young age, what do you want your legacy to look like in each field?

Honestly, the question is quite difficult. My mission or plan right now is to inspire many girls to rely on themselves, be confident, love themselves in every way, and be strong. In acting, I would love to portray the role of every woman and amplify their voices to the world.

What do you think are the most important qualities to have to succeed in the industry?

Boldness or strength in making decisions means being confident in yourself and knowing when to take the right step. Opportunities come only once, and they may never repeat, so you must know when to seize them. Be focused and love what you do, no matter how tiring it is, or how much it takes you away from your friends or your enjoyment.

If you could go back in time to when you first started, what advice would you give your younger self about navigating the entertainment world?

The advice I would give to my younger self is not to be affected by any bullying or discouraging comments and to focus more on my work. I wouldn't blame myself because I did the best I could. I'm very proud of myself.

Jewelry: Roberto Coin, Fashion: Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Hair: ID Beauty Refinery, Make-up: Sara AlShatti