Amanda Jissih: ‘I know how to make slim ladies feel intimidated’

Despite her plump size, popular host of Gh One’s E-Talk show, Amanda Jissih has a way of “arresting” the attention of anyone when she pops up at an event.

Often spotted to exude a confidence that depicts one’s “good feelings” about her body, the actress cum TV and radio presenter has over the years intimidated people with her confident posture though most people in the Showbiz industry have a different view about plus-size ladies.

But for bubbly Amanda, who is affectionately called Mandy Jay, she definitely knows how to make her size look attractive and be an object of envy to other ladies.

Speaking with Showbiz last Friday, Amanda said that she had never looked down on herself because of her size.

“I know how to make the slim ladies feel intimidated when they are around me. For me, I don’t believe that I must feel pity for myself because I am plump. No, I won’t buy that idea because we all can’t be the same. I am not bothered about my weight so I don’t know why people should be bothered. So far as I am healthy, I am very much OK so people should stop talking about my weight” she said.

The eloquent presenter and publicist said that discovering who she was really helped in appreciating her natural and God-given looks, hence, she could only care less about what others thought of her.

“It is about time people in the showbiz industry stopped looking down on plumb size ladies. I will not go through a lot to be what I am not because somebody wants me look like that. If you are confident in what you are wearing, the rest of the world would always appreciate it. I love to be comfortable and just to be me.

“I always want a touch of sexiness and class in everything I do. Sincerely, I know that I give the slim girls a lot of competition.  I don’t really follow trends. What works for one person doesn’t work for another” she added.

Commenting on her sense of fashion, Amanda who usually comes under criticisms from the public for sometimes revealing too much flesh on set remarked “I don’t have to show them, they are there” and jokingly added “wouldn’t mind being in bikinis at the beach if that is what I feel comfortable in”.

When asked how her man feels about her weight, Amanda was rather hesitant to answer but later remarked, “Do I even have one?  It has become more challenging to even get a man because people think you are a celebrity and you are of high class”.

She told Showbiz that past experiences in her relationship has made her more cautious and could not hide her disappointment about her failed relationship with Bright Blinks of Buk Bak fame who she dated for long.

She however debunked the rumours that were rife in the media circles last year that she once dated Praye Tintin of the hip life group Praye.

“I have vowed not to ever date any man in the showbiz industry in Ghana again. I have learnt a lot and I thank God for what happened” she added.

Prior to her being the host of Gh One’s E-Talk show, Amanda had had a stint with media operations for over a decade.

She was the host of Hitz FM’’s entertainment programme, “All About Love” and produced Bola Ray’s “Drive Time” show on Joy FM.

She also hosted Beauty and Style on Metro TV and co-produced Leila Djansi’s “Ties that Bind”.

Her acting skill came to light when she starred in television series “Home Sweet Home” and “Wofa K” and hopes to take her acting career to new heights.

“I have shot a couple of local movies. I prefer the local movies to the English speaking ones because they pay really well and I don’t want any exposure which has no reward monetarily”.

With plans to storm the music industry, Amanda hinted of the release of her debut single which she featured Eugene Baah popularly known as Praye Honeho by the end of the year.

She is a product of Mfantsiman Secondary School and the Ghana Institute of Journalism and the second of three children.

Her last words, “Be confident in yourself and know who you are and where you want to be. Don’t let anyone define you”.

By Gifty Owusu-Amoah  & Ivy Philomena Quartey/Graphic Showbiz