Maria Ghanem - LebanonToday.org/AkhbarArabia.net (BEIRUT)
Tony Eli Kanaan, also known as "Giovanni Rabbat" or "Jackeline Nassar", is gaining a vast fan base in Lebanese social media day after day.
Tony’s account went viral on Instagram because of these two funny characters that he made up.
The whole story began a few years ago, when he decided to open his own page and start making funny videos, he managed to put a smile on thousands of people's face even during his hard time.
His videos are know for their simplicity yet hilarious content, even when he talks politics he somehow makes us laugh and not cry or get easily offended.
This funny guy doesn't only bring joy to our hearts, but knowledge also, he is a true inspiration. He raised awarness on psychological illness and why is important to treat this kind of trouble since he himself had mental disorders and recieved a treatment for several years, while sharing his journey with everyone and always encouraging others to do the same.
To know more about Tony’s success story, enjoy reading the interview below.
To begin this interview, can you tell us more about yourself (your major, age, job..)?
Hey! I’m Tony Eli Kanaan. I’m 28. I studied psychology at the American University of Beirut with minors in English literature and creative writing. I’m a freelance screenwriter, actor, director and producer.
What do you think is the reason behind all the bullying and crticism that you've been facing recently?
It’s the inability of people to understand sarcasm and comedy. I’m being criticized for racism, homophobia, religious extremism, while all my sketches are intended to mock them. All my sketches are meant to be taken lightly and to expose a terribly dysfunctional society we live in.
You've shared with everyone the fact that you've gone through OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), would you tell us more about this phase? Is it over now? What can you say to whom is suffering from the same disease nowadays?
I was diagnosed with OCD and depression since I was 16. I’ve made it my mission recently to spread awareness about mental health because I have first hand experience of how painful it is to suffer from it. Family understanding/support/medication has helped me use my sickness to my advantage. Unfortunately, very few in Lebanon get the luxury to have a smooth sail with mental illness like I did. My advice is to seek therapy as soon as possible. Knowing that your daily suffering has a diagnosis and can be treated is half the battle won already.
What causes the dark circles under your eyes? Is it insomnia (Inability to sleep) or is there another reason?
It’s funny everyone thinks my eyes are that dark because of drug abuse, when in reality I don’t even smoke cigarettes! Not even pepsi! My eyes are completely genetic like my father and cousins. It just comes to show how people can be judgemental and ignorant.
Jacqueline Nassar and Geovanni are going viral on social media, did you expect them to go this far? And how did you come up with these two characters?
I’ve been messing around with comedy sketches for almost 5 years now, none of which got recognized. I had zero hopes for Jacqueline or Geovanni, but woah was I mistaken. I’m grateful for the response they got. Geovani is pure slapstick dark humor while Jacqueline is a real life impersonation of a fanatic we know hundreds of. My morning coffee with my mom and neighbors has been greatly inspiring to say the least.
What is your next step into near future?
I’ll be starring in a feature film which I cowrote. It’s been in development for 8 years now, but we’re finally proceeding with production!
What is your target or purpose in life?
My happiness comes from making movies and laughter. The more movies and laughter I can produce, the happier I’ll be. Laughter is medicine.
