interview
GOGGLE BOX’S AMIRA & AMANI: ‘We learnt English WATCHING EASTENDERS’
These sisters are doing it for themselves, as Kay Ribeiro finds out
Gogglebox siblings Amira and Amani Rota are a gigantic breath of fresh air when they turn up at the heat studio for their first-ever interview and shoot. Both are delighted and grateful to be styled and have their make-up done, and over the moon just to be having the day off work. Similarly, we are chuffed to be chatting to them today after watching them watch telly over the past ten series, entertaining us with their hilarious hot takes (Amira) and expressive facial reactions (Amani).
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Amira is the older sister, given that she is super-confident and often bosses Amani around, but she’s not. At 26, Amira – a retail manager at Smyths Toys – is two years younger than Amani, 28, who works in customer service and is a little more reserved than her gregarious sibling, but no less warm or funny.
The pair live at home in London with their parents and three siblings, and despite their huge fan base, remain refreshingly grounded. Although, we’re left in no doubt that if they ever meet a certain Mr Martin Compston, they will lose their heads…
So, how did Gogglebox come about?
Amira: It was my first day of uni and I was out shopping with my friends at Brent Cross shopping centre and these two guys – they must’ve been the casting producers – came up to me and were like, “So, we want you and your friends to join the show.”
Did you think “Uh-oh, stranger danger”…
Amira: Very much so! I literally accused them of trying to sell us on the black market, because there is no way someone would come up to you and say, “Would you like to be on a TV show?” You’d never think that in your wildest dreams.
You did the show with a friend at first …
Amira: Yeah, and then my friend didn’t want to continue, so they wanted my sister. But she was very hard to convince.
Amani: I was. My personality is not very out there. I didn’t have the confidence to do it to begin with, but then I got out of my comfort zone and said yes.
Amira: She had a whole 360 change!
That’s brilliant…
Amani: It’s been amazing, so I’m glad I said yes.
Amira: It’s a family affair now.
Will any other family members be making an appearance?
Amira: Oh my god, I think our dad
would be hilarious on it.
Amani: Yeah, Dad would be funny.
Amira: He wouldn’t be up for it, because he’s a shy guy, but some of the comments he makes, I’m like, “They would love you.”
Do you watch the show?
Amani: Yeah, we do.
Amira: Sometimes I skip past our bits…
Amani: It’s too cringe. I’ll be like, “When did
I say that?”
Have you ever
