features

From bombed-out Iranian town to Japan's entertainment world

33 Comments
By Chris Betros

When Sahel Rosa was about four years old, she said goodnight to her mom and dad and went to bed. That was the last she ever saw of her parents and 10 older siblings. Their home and much of the town on the Iranian side of the border with Iraq was destroyed in an air raid, despite the fact that there was supposed to be a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq war. Yet, miraculously, Sahel survived for four days buried beneath the rubble until her hand was discovered sticking up beside a blue flower by a 23-year-old nurse.

Since then, Rosa, now 24 (though she is not sure exactly when her birthday is) says that hardly a day goes by when she doesn’t ask herself why she was spared and what she was meant to do with her life, which has taken her on a difficult journey from a bombed-out Iranian town to TV personality in Japan. “I don’t remember much about that time,” she says quietly in fluent Japanese at NHK one afternoon. “It’s more in flashbacks or in my dreams. I’ve been told that the townspeople lived in constant fear of bombardment. Even today, when I hear fireworks, it stirs up memories.”

Rosa wrote about her experiences in a book titled "From War Zone to Actress," which was published in early 2009. “After I lost my family, I was in an orphanage for a few years but no one wanted to adopt me,” she says with a gentle smile. “When I was 7, I appeared in a government-sponsored TV commercial asking people to become foster parents of war orphans, and Flora – the nurse who saved me – saw it and decided to adopt me. When I was 8, I came to Japan with Flora and her Japanese fiance, but three weeks after arriving in Japan, he threw us out. I don’t think he wanted me, but I was too young to understand what was going on. I remember that my mother always made sure I had food, even if she had to go without it herself. For awhile, we’d take shelter in parks, and wash by using taps in public toilets. I would survive on school lunches during the week. On weekends and holidays, we used to go to supermarkets to eat the food samples they give out to shoppers. Eventually, some kind people helped us find a small apartment.”

Contemplated suicide after bullying at school

While her mother worked at menial jobs, Rosa continued to go to school, where she says she was subjected to bullying. “There were times when I contemplated suicide, but it was my mother’s devotion to me that kept me going. She always had a smile on her face for me,” she says. “I was in a world I never knew. Until I came to Japan, the only thing about it I had seen was the TV series 'Oshin' in Iran. The hardships that Oshin faced and overcame really inspired me to persevere. It took me 4-5 years until I could manage in Japanese.”

Just before completing high school, Rosa got a job as a reporter on J-Wave radio, thus launching her entertainment career. However, she decided to continue her education and went to Tokai University where she studied IT, and a drama school to study stage acting. “I thought a university degree would help me take care of my mother in the future and it also made me feel like a contributing member of society at last,” she explains.

For the past few years, Rosa has made guest appearances on TV and radio programs, done theater work, modeled and appeared in TV commercials. Her latest project is a weekly NHK program, "Chikyu (Earth) Document Mission," which she co-hosts with announcer Masaaki Horio and lawyer Kanae Doi. The program, which will run for one year, looks at environmental problems from various angles such as people, nature and food, and how they are all connected.

“It’s a good fit for me because I couldn’t afford to waste anything when I was growing up,” Rosa says. “It’s a pity that there is still a lot of waste in Japan. Most people take food and nature for granted. Since the program started in April, we have had good feedback from viewers. Some said they were surprised at the efforts of others; many said the program was a wake-up call for them on the environment and how even a small effort can make a difference in their own lives.”

Of all her work, Rosa says she finds acting in dramas the easiest, while being on TV variety programs the most challenging. “Early in my life, I learned how to hide my emotions and put on a different face, so that has helped me with acting. I especially enjoy doing live theater. On the other hand, with television variety programs, I am never quite sure how to act. My mother gives me lots of advice, usually critical, about my comments and mannerisms.”

When she is not working, Rosa enjoys archery as well as an occasional game of tennis. Always stylish on TV, Rosa says she prefers to dress casually and shops in the Ameyoko part of Tokyo. For eating out, she and her friends avoid glitzy places. “I like izakaya at night and the Tsukiji fish market for sushi in the morning or lunch,” she says, but admits she is not a skilled cook herself. “Ramen is about all I can make,” she laughs.

Japanese or Iranian?

Listening to Rosa speak, it is easy to forget she is Iranian and not Japanese. “That’s what happens when I go back to Iran,” she laughs. “People there think I have become Japanese. However, I have never forgotten that I am Iranian. My roots will always be there. It is interesting to compare Japanese and Iranian women. They do have some similarities. Yet, Iranian women don’t have as much freedom of choice to work as Japanese women, although that doesn’t mean Iranian women are weak. I would say that they have a ‘strong’ mentality but they are in a ‘weak’ position.”

Rosa’s dream is to open an orphanage in Iran, one of two reasons why she wrote her book. “So many children are in need of love, and not just in Iran; that applies to peaceful countries like Japan, too,” she explains. The second reason for writing the book was as a testament to her mother. “I wanted to let everyone know what she did for me and a book can remain a testament forever.”

She hopes the book will one day be translated into English, a language she is currently studying to add to her linguistic repertoire of Japanese, Persian, Tajik and Dari. Rosa has a lofty goal in mastering English. “One day, I want to win an Academy Award and stand on that stage and thank my mother in front of the whole world." After a pause, she adds: "And if I could meet Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson, that would be cool, too.”

"Chikyu Document Mission" airs on BShi each Sunday at 9 p.m. and on NHK BS2 on Monday from 11 p.m.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


33 Comments
Login to comment

Sahel Rosa is an incredible young woman who has overcome hardship.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

what an incredibly tough and sexy woman! She has much more appeal than some of the so called talentos!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Will try and catch this on the tube... As for the Japanese guy who threw them out.... I am not the least bit surprised.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

missed that part about being thrown about by the Japanese fiance...why are Japanese so damn Xenophobic???

0 ( +0 / -0 )

meloveulongtime at 08:20 AM JST - 6th May missed that part about being thrown about by the Japanese fiance...why >are Japanese so damn Xenophobic???

Considering that no details or explanation is given why are you certain that zenophobia has abnyuthing to do with it? And even if it did why would anyone with xenophobia become a fiancee to a foreigner in the first place? Clearly there woulsd have to have been some kind of relationship prior to becoming engaged. Finally "why are Japanese so damn Xenophobic??" suggests that all Japanese are xenophobic which obviously isn't true.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Her acting is Farsical.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

she is absolutely stunning. i am in love..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nessie, once again, you win.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

and as far as the bullying typical J kids in your school..... looks like you won.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Smart, talented and beautiful among many other things. This young woman is awesome. I hope to look for more of her work in the future.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

How does a guy throw out onto the street a little girl who lost 10 siblings and both parents in an air raid? How does that guy live with himself? What a scumbag.

The girl herself is an inspiration, not to mention a total babe.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What a beautiful and intelligent young woman. I hope she breaks down some stereotypes of people from the middle-east that many in Japan - and other countries - have. I hope she steers away from the Japanese tarento scene though - she seems WAY too interesting compared to them!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"And if I could meet Robert De Niro and Jack Nicholson, that would be cool too."

According to Don Morton, De Niro's latest movie with Al Pacino is a real dud. But, yeah, I imagine it would be cool to meet De Niro.

"The girl herself is an inspiration, not to mention a total babe."

I know!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thats how phantastic Persian women can be if you let them out from under the Burka. Alas, that wont happen in the Islamic Republic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'd much rather meet this remarkable young lady than I would either Deniro or Nicholson. Her accomplishments are amazing and humbling; more than that, she doesn't appear to have a star's attitude. Best wishes to her.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

she is one hell of a girl! very inspirational!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

there is only one reason why she made it, "GOOD LOOKS " .... nothing is impossible if you're pretty and hot...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

StackedActor - Poppycock! The woman has inner strength and brains.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

why do japanese find it such an innate need to bully anyone different than them?...or rather why is bullying such a cultural norm in japan?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You are an inspiration!!! Good job.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Sarge : yeah inner brains, but do you think she will make it only because of that? look at the picture man, open your eyes,do you think she will make it if her face got scarred by bomb explosions or if she's fat? there is no doubt to the fact that she's strong and clever, but don't you think her "LOOKS" didn't contribute a lot to her fame? especially here in Japan where girls have to be cute and pretty to become a succesful artist, if you don't believe me just look at the CD covers from J-POP to classical music, or just watch the dramas and Movies. I'm not saying it's wrong , but don't deny the truth and stop being hypocrite. Being Good Looking is a very big and good investment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@sarge: sorry I mean inner strength and brains*

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What a life and she is very very hot.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why aren't all people like this? Imagine how much higher the average level of intelligence and thoughtfulness would be in the world. But alas no, we have our iPods and keitais, we're happy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She's hot

0 ( +0 / -0 )

you all should check out her blog: http://ameblo.jp/sahel-rosa/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

kisekicaroline - Thanks for the link.

Heck, if that link is OK, I'll try mine one more time:

www.iranian.com/main/2009/dec/sahel-rosa

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Definitely someone to look up to.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I agree StackedActor, her looks have helped her out. See Japan, good looks and brains can live side by side in the same body. Why not here?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Doesn't she want to meet President Ahmadinejad?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good on her. I'm glad she has got ahead.

Why do so many people focus on the the man who threw her out? What about the people who helped her? More than one obviously as "some kind people" is plural.

The vast majority of people I met in Japan were (are) kind and helped me out a lot. A few rotten apples does not the country make. Don't sulk because of a few bad apples.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Dear Sahel, you are stunning and gorgeous with huge a heart and a terrific personality. Heard your interview with your Mom Flora on 670am kirn and it made me so proud. Congratulations for your achievements both in life and in public stage. My hat off to your Dear mother for her utmost sacrifice and selfness-ness and for her strong character and principles. I should say that I am very grateful that during your school junior year you decided to stick around and benefit us all from your presence and joy of who you are.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well done Sahel, keep up the good work.. Best wishes for you…

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites