Interview in The Hot Tub … Zaraah Abrahams

Best known for her appearances in Waterloo Road and Coronation Street, actress Zaraah Abrahams has also tried her hand at Dancing on Ice (reaching the semi finals) and is an active supporter of body confidence organisation Body Gossip … we caught up with her between projects to find out what makes her feel happy, healthy and confident!

If you hadn’t been an actress, what would you be?

A PA because I love organising other people’s time; a Nanny because I could spend all day with babies but they wouldn’t be mine; or a personal shopper because I am the calmest shopper ever and I can always find something for other people!

What does your average day entail at the moment?

I have just come back from Paris where I was filming Black Girl in Paris, which has been adapted from the book.  When I’m filming I am always up early and working all day on set; but in between, like now I am going to castings and three days a week I teach dance and acting at an after school club with my sister.

What’s your idea of the perfect day of relaxation?

I would probably get up quite early and watch Friends re-runs; have a bacon sandwich and then go out for a walk - I really like walking.  After that I would have a big, FAT roast dinner and fall asleep in front of the TV.  Throw in a massage or a manicure and the day would be even better!

When do you feel at your most confident?

Probably when I have just walked out of the hairdressers!

When are you happiest?

Either on set or with my family and my dogs; I have two French mastiffs.

How do you stay in shape?

I walk a lot and I do sit ups and things at home, but it’s mainly walking … I also teach dance on Tuesdays and Thursdays which helps!

Do you have a desert island beauty product?

Red lipstick - it always brightens up your face and can double up as a blusher as well - you can look glamorous in a t-shirt, you just need to find the right shade to suit you!

When do you feel at your most glamorous?

When I am out with my girlfriends on a planned night so you know what you are going to wear and nothing is a rush.  Having said that, sometimes I feel really glamorous when I am doing the cleaning and have shoved my hair up and I just think - ‘dam, why can’t it work like that on a night out!’

What’s your favourite spa treatment?

I like full body scrubs and particularly Turkish baths - I LOVE those!!  I had one in Istanbul - INCREDIBLE!

Do you have a top tip for feeling happy and healthy when you have a busy schedule?

Drink lots of water and eat fresh fruit and try to fit in something that makes you feel good - for me it’s music.  Also, after a long day nothing feels better than giving your face a proper scrub!

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