Fabulous Fabiola: TV’s budding therapy for your lonely heart

Who is Anita?
Anita is the host of Be My Date, a programme that will be showing on NTV soon. Anita was a first runner up at the Miss Uganda 2013/2014. She is also a first year student of Mass Communication at Makerere University, Kampala.

How did you end up as the host?
I auditioned and my current employers were impressed that I could deliver. TV is something I had always wanted to do. I love the cameras very much. I have done commercials but I had never been a TV presenter so when this opportunity came up, I took it.

What is the show about?
It is a dating show. But it is not like your typical dating show where two people are literally forced to appreciate each other. This is going to be reality. There will be a lot of drama, twists and turns It will be a whole new experience on local TV.

Share with us a verbal example of what an episode will be like?
We will have up to 12 ladies from whom one gentleman will choose. He will engage these ladies in various activities in order to know their character. He will engage them; say, in conversations so he can be able to tell - from their revelations - who is a party animal and who is reserved. At the end of the activities, he will choose the lady he likes most. In other episodes, we shall have one lady choosing from 12 or five men. We shall be interchanging the sexes.

Will it stop at that?
No. After the two have shown interest in each other, we will allow them to explore each other. So we will follow them with our cameras to cover the progress in their dating. We will show them while hanging out, say at a beach or at a cinema.

When will you turn the cameras away from them?
When they make a conclusive decision on the future of their lives after dating. They could choose to settle down as husband and wife or if they do not feel compatible, it will also be fine for them to call it quits. So when either decision is reached, we will stop filming them.

A popular criticism against reality shows is that the characters and their actions are fake…
Not in this show. In Be My Date, there will be nothing like characters behaving according to a script. People will be free to express anything and everything on their minds. However, like any other show, ours will also have a policy to be followed, for example, you cannot let someone swear simply because you want them to be themselves before the cameras. There are those few lines that are not supposed to be crossed.

When will it be airing?
On Sundays at 8pm.

What does it take to feature on the show?
Everyone can participate in the show as long as they are above 18 years. We have auditions, where people submit details about themselves and what they are searching for. We look at the different applications and choose who should pass first and who should wait.

So you, Anita, are going to be a “love middle person”?
Middle person is not the right word. That sounds like I will be pushing them to fall in love with each other. No. My job will be to get them to meet. The recurring decisions will be solely their own. If they choose to like or love, it will all be up to them.

Have you done something similar to this before?
Yes. I have done it for a few of my friends.

Have you ever been a beneficiary of match making?
No. Some people are shy and prefer that someone gets the ball rolling for them. I prefer to do everything about my relationships by myself. I like the initial chemistry.

In otherwards, you would prefer that I (the writer) tell you that I am interested in you, than ask my quiet photographer, to do it for me?
Ha ha! You could not have said it better.

You are hot; won’t you get viewers auditioning to be match-made with you the presenter?
You are funny. No. I think I am an exception.

Why did you prefer to host “Be My Date” instead of any other show?
I naturally like to see people happy. On the show, I get to see smiles on people’s face after they have found the love of their life. It is an amazing sight. So I am actually doing something that I am passionate about.

Any other thing you like about the show?
I like the energy of the team behind the cameras. They are so enthusiastic about making the show a success.

Any challenges?
Maybe a minor challenge. Like I told you, I am a student so I’ll be juggling work and school. It is not easy, but I can handle.

What are some of the things you do to hone your skills?
I do a lot of research and practice. I have to read widely to find new aspects that I can add to my role. I also practice before the mirror, sometimes I film myself using my phone camera. So, it’s hard work.

Which show host do you admire?
Raquel Roxanne Diaz, who is better known as Rocsi. She works with BET. I love the way she handles herself before the cameras. She is amazing!

A QUICK PEEP INTO ANITA’S WORLD
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I pray, take a shower and a cold glass of milk. Milk is my addiction.

A fire suddenly catches at your house, what’s the first thing you grab?
That’s a hard one. There’s a lot in my house that is of much importance to me. But my phone never leaves my side. I do all my work there.

What would you say is your dream honeymoon destination?
There are so many beautiful getaway places but I love the French Riviera. I love its open spaces and amazing scenery. Plus it’s upscale and luxurious - I love luxury!

We all need a little affection sometimes. So, what’s that one endearment word that gets you all smiles and blushy?
Cookie.