Zain asher: Go getter

BUZZ:Do you feel like you have stepped into the shoes of Isha Sesay in regard to being a high-profile CNN anchor from Africa?

ZAIN: On a serious note, Isha has done an excellent job covering Africa, especially with the recent #bringbackourgirls campaign. She also continues to be a fantastic role model to myself and other young journalists at CNN. There’s definitely room for plenty of CNN reporters covering Africa.

Were they big shoes and what kind of shoes? Stilettos or flats?

Umm, definitely stilettos.

You stated that you have your dream job. At what point did you stop dropping the CNN line whenever you met people?

Name dropping isn’t really my style. People should be judged on their merits and not where they work.

You started out as a receptionist in California and struggled to grow, but it never happened. Did you think of quitting, or was that job all you had?

I wanted to get promoted and it didn’t happen but through that experience I realised I was better suited to something else. Success is never in a straight line.

How did you not let your ‘serving water to people who came to interview for the job you wanted’, get to you?

Faith.

Would you call it confidence or cockiness when it comes to how you got your first TV job? You had no experience, a British accent in America, and had just lost your job.

I’ve always been a go-getter and there was nothing else I really wanted to do. Journalism is very competitive and I was prepared to apply for a job at every news station in the country if I had to. Luckily, the first station I applied to, hired me!

Based on how you got your TV job at News 12 and CNN, do you feel like many are stuck where they are because they lack the courage to walk up to a boss and ask for a chance?

I think too many people allow a fear of failure to stop them from going after what they really want.  I’m quite a persistent person. I’m not afraid of the word “no”, so I’m more likely to take risks.

Your brother, '12 Years a Slave' actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, recently said: ‘I’m too sensitive to do what my sister does. She’s interacting with the reality of the social and political world. It would drive me completely nuts.’ Do you think you can do what he does?

Haha, acting requires such a high level of concentration and focus. You have to be able to trick your mind into believing you are someone else. I’m always impressed by anyone who can do it well.

Have you ever used your brother’s name to get out of trouble or get into a swanky restaurant, or to just show off?

No, but he uses mine (just kidding!)

Most people get shocked when they learn that you and Chiwetel are related, does that mean you have to grow your brand away from his shadow?

I’ve never thought about managing my brand away from his, I just see him as my brother.

How tired are you of the fact that we are still talking about him in this interview?

Haha! It touches me how much he inspires people.

Do you Google yourself?

I wish I had the time

What are some of the craziest things you have ever read or heard about yourself?

Hmm, I ate a heavy breakfast the morning of my TED Talk session and people who watched the video thought I was pregnant. I got lots of email from old friends asking when I was due. Haha!

Losing you father must have been tough. How did you cope with the loss? What was the biggest change in your life?

I lost my father around my fifth birthday. My mum ended up having to be the breadwinner and she was always working to support us. I learned to be an independent person from a very young age.

You have grown up and worked in different parts of the world. Is there one place that has had the biggest impact on your life?

Probably Nigeria. It was the first time I’d moved abroad without my immediate family. I lived in Enugu for about two years and learned so much about my culture, my roots and I learned to speak Igbo. That experience still shapes me today.

Your mother felt that to make it in life, you had to relate with people from various backgrounds. Did that work, or do you feel London was enough?

My diverse background has definitely helped me relate to different types of people. My job as a journalist allows me to connect with, interview and interact with people from all walks of life.

As a teenager, how rebellious were you?

Ummm. Let’s not go there…

How do you prepare for CNN International and your new show? 

By constantly reading… everything and exploring the world through books, newspapers, articles, magazines, television and online. Anything can happen overnight and we always have to be prepared.

In the era of “gotcha”, how do you make sure you don’t make howlers that would end up on YouTube or become a trending topic?

Is there a way to actually prevent that?

Nigerians online are always asking what happened to your Igbo name? Does it bother you?

It doesn’t bother me at all. I’m very proud to be Nigerian.

What does a girl who is always reporting on Syria, and interviewing the Dangotes of this world, do to unwind?

I’m quite an adventurous person so I love travelling to remote parts of the world, exploring new cultures, visiting historical sites and immersing myself in the local cuisine. I usually get to travel somewhere new every one-to-two months, so I’m very fortunate.

What is your bad habit?

Watching 80s movies back-to-back when I can’t sleep.

What inspires you?

When I think about journalists in societies that don’t have a free press. Their struggle motivates me to continue to shine a light on the truth and hold governments accountable.

If you weren’t on TV, what would you be doing?

Probably teaching. My mum runs a school in Nigeria.

Is there a Mr Right in your life?

Maybe.