Leen Al Halawani, a 25-year-old graduate of English Literature, is the vibrant voice of Jordan. Upon her graduation at Yarmouk University with a major in English Language and Literature with a minor in Radio and TV, Leen has seen the door for the radio industry in Jordan open for her. Her fun, social personality and husky voice made her a source of entertainment and joy to her listeners, ever since she started her career at Play 99.6 radio station in Amman. Her charisma and social media presence bring her closer to the younger Jordanian generation, making her one a celebrity and one of Jordan's favorite public personalities. In addition to presenting at Play 99.6, Leen has recently joined the Television industry as the host of the TV show "Haki Tech", which is part of "Caravan", a show targeting young people in Jordan on Roya TV, one of the most famous TV channels in the country. Bayt.com had the pleasure of talking to Leen about her family, job, and challenges she faces in her day-to-day life.
Leen: You will find me at the studio at 2:00 pm. I like to arrive early just to make sure everything is working. It reassures me that everything is going smoothly.
Leen: I am the presenter of one of the most listened to shows on the radio, the “Drive Back Show.” As the presenter, I offer my listeners traffic updates, weather reports, riddles, games, general information - and of course awesome music!
Leen: I am truly blessed as I am a part of an great team where everybody does their job perfectly. This makes technical problems a rare accession. Of course, we still get a glitch every now and then, but we fix it instantly; so I wouldn’t really call it a problem.
Leen: On a personal level, I am happiest when I’m in the studio. When I put the headphones on and hear my voice, I feel invigorated and happy. But the most rewarding part would be the fact that people listen to me as I try to advocate and send a message across. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be on the radio and TV, I wanted to be seen and heard, and I wanted to influence people. And now that I have fulfilled my lifelong dream, I feel ecstatic. All the negativity and pressure of not being able to make it are gone. No one can tell me what I can or can’t do; I decide my own fate, and I’m making it happen.
Leen: I would say having to continuously come up with new concepts of entertainment. People listen to my show and constantly participate in our games, however they can get boring after a while, and that’s when we have to come up with new ideas. It’s challenging but very entertaining at the same time. Also, being on the radio for 4 continuous hours, 5 days a week, constantly researching for cool facts and new music can be very exhausting.
Leen: People will often tell you can’t make it, and that it’s a dangerous field. Don’t listen to them! Stay focused and keep your eye on the prize. Don’t let anyone hold you back.
Leen: Honestly, it’s just a matter of time management; prioritizing what is important and how soon you need to get it done. During my four hours at the radio, I’m fully focused, especially that it’s a one-man show. I control the music panel, play music, read messages and requests, and manage the entire show. As ridiculous as it sounds, I work best under pressure! I like being constantly busy - it makes me feel accomplished.
Leen: Having a very supportive family makes it easier. My family are very proud of my work and love to help me in any way they can. Also, the fact that I have flexible hours allows me to have time for my workouts, family gatherings, and friends. As I mentioned earlier, I work best when I have many things to do; I like to feel organized and on top of things. Simultaneously, I host “Haki Tech”, a part of the "Caravan" show with Ro’ya TV, which means that I have to record an episode once a week. It’s a lot, but I love it.
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Honestly? I would still be sleeping! 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM I wake up, drink my morning latte, and have a little chat with my sister. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM I either go to the gym for my regular workout or have brunch with my friends. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM I head to the studio. It's rush hour so I make sure to head to work well ahead of time. 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM I would be preparing and then starting the "Drive Back Show" at 3:00 pm. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM I would be still on the "Drive Back Show" at Play 99.6. 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM I go out with my friends or sister, or I spend quality time at home with my family.
