Pauline Agius is someone whom I got to know briefly years ago, and one thing that struck me about her was the positive energy that she exudes. Pauline is, stunningly beautiful yet I dare say that her personality actually supersedes her beauty. It is no wonder that she is so successful in her 15-year long (and counting) career as TV presenter and producer.
Pauline wears: Jumpsuit and Jacket by Guess; Lampshade, curtains, cushion and sofa: Camilleri Paris Mode.
Here at BuzyMummy.com we love to pamper our featured mums and thanks to our fantastic team, we produced these stunning original shots taken at Camilleri Paris Mode, Rabat, by the talented Noella Agius. Styling is by Drew Warhurst at DIZZ Group, all outfits are by Guess and Guess Marciano (DIZZ Group), makeup is by Mateja Camilleri using New CID Cosmetics, hair is by Lara Steer at D Salon and nails is by Tania Gordiyenko at STAGE.
We meet up for a coffee a few days after the photo-shoot and she brings her adorable son to join us who, like his mum, is so friendly and a joy to be around.
When did you start your career on TV?
“I have been working full-time in the TV industry for the past 15 years. It all began because of my interest in drama. Whilst I was at University, I was asked whether I wanted to audition for a TV program that, ironically enough was on interior design”. Pauline currently presents a program that is specialised on interior design, ‘Indhouse’.
“I decided to go for it, primarily to gain the experience, but I really did not expect to get the job. To my surprise, I was actually chosen.” Pauline continues to tell me how she agreed to present the program and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. “When the program finished its expected schedule I decided to focus more on my studies, since at that time I was reading a communications degree at University of Malta‘
Pauline wears: Top and Jacket by Guess; Wall decor: Camilleri Paris Mode.
“At first I thought the feelings would subside and settle; I thought they were just the hormones, playing with my emotions..”
When was it that you decided to return to the small screen?
“A year down the line, whilst I was still at University, my sister, who was already involved in TV, urged me to help produce her daily program which was being aired on Net TV at the time. I saw this as a golden opportunity for me to gain more experience in the industry and I accepted the job.”
Pauline enthusiastically tells me how, when producing her sister’s program, she felt that it was what she was meant to do, and took the difficult decision of stopping her studies and focusing on her career on TV.
“Naturally, as one can imagine, producing a daily, LIVE TV program is a full-on commitment, and after a couple of months, I recognised that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Pauline wears: Top, Skirt, all by Guess (Dizz Group); wall décor: all from Camilleri Paris Mode.
What programs are you currently producing and presenting?
“I am currently producing and presenting ‘Indhouse’, which I am very passionate about because I love interior design. I also co-host ‘Ilsien In-Nisa’ with my sister Clare Agius and friend Claire Agius Ordway.”
“I was so relaxed I didn’t realise I was in labour (!) I had minor pain but didn’t realise I was experiencing contractions”
Moving on the subject of motherhood, is there something that surprised you at all when you became a mother?
“Well I think the one thing that surprised me the most, was the overwhelming feeling of LOVE. At first I thought the feelings would subside and settle; I thought they were just the hormones playing with my emotions, however I can say the love never settles, on the contrary, it grows.”
What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood?
“Definitely the fear. When a child is born, fear is born too. In my view it is one of the only pitfalls of becoming a parent.”
What has been the best moment for you?
She smiles, “I honestly can’t think of just one moment. Every day is a wonderful experience with my baby. As cliché as it may sound, I would say the day when he was born and I held him in my arms was one of the best moments of my life”
How was your pregnancy?
“I consider myself one of the lucky ones, both when it comes to the pregnancy and the birth. I think one aspect that surely helped me in my pregnancy was that I was able to work all throughout, so I didn’t really have time to think, or worry too much about it. I was running two programs at the time, ‘indhouse’ and ‘Ilsien in-Nisa’ and my 9 month pregnancy lasted the whole 9 month schedule for both programmes since I was pregnant (and didn’t know it) on the first program and my due date, believe it or not was on the date the last program was planned to air. In fact we pre-recorded the last 3 programs so I could stop working 3 weeks before my due date.” Pauline continues to tell me how this was fortunate since she went into labour 2 days before her due date.
Pauline wears: Jeans, T-shirt, Jacket, Shoes all by Guess (Dizz Group)
“I think it becomes more difficult when there are disagreements on issues related to raising children.”
How was the labour?
She laughs “I was so relaxed I didn’t even realise I was in labour (!) I had minor pain but didn’t realise I was experiencing contractions. I was quite naïve about the whole birth experience to be honest.”
Pauline continues to tell me how she went shopping and even visited the car-wash whilst apparently in early labour. “I kept going about my business all day, and at 6pm that evening I visited my mother-in-law with my husband. Looking back, I remember holding the table with pain at times. In fact Cris was concerned and suggested we go to hospital, but his mother mentioned that if I were in labour, I wouldn’t be laughing.”
At 8:30pm Pauline and Cris made their way home. “I continued as normal, sending emails to the station about my summer TV program, then suddenly I felt violently ill; I was shivering cold even though it was summertime.” Finally that was the last straw and they made their way to the hospital. Still, Pauline tells me how they went in very calmly and didn’t even opt for a wheelchair.
“I was actually in so much pain I was stopping to hold onto railings however I was totally in denial about being in labour. When I entered the labour ward I was in so much pain that I could barely walk, little did I know that I was so close to having my baby.”
“The midwife told me that in an hour I would have my baby in my arms. Still being in denial, I assumed that she told me that, only to reassure me and make me feel better. Exactly 1 hour later I had my baby in my arms.”
Pauline wears: Top by Guess (Dizz Group) and Necklace, worn as headdress: Camilleri Paris Mode
Following the birth of your son did you see any changes in your relationship?
“When you bring a child into a marriage there is definitely more pressure. I believe as long as both parents are on the same wavelength, it will be okay. For example both Cris and I really wanted to have children in the first place. We also both like to involve him in everything we do. We travel with him and even included him in our Valentine’s Day plans which we celebrated with a relaxing weekend in Gozo, just the three of us. I am sure it helps that Ben is a very good, quiet child who adapts to different situations very easily.”
She continues. “I think it becomes more difficult when there are disagreements on issues related to raising children.” Pauline tells me how she feels very strongly about the importance of psychological preparation when it comes to having a baby. “It just makes everything easier” she adds.
“I have always wanted children”, she continues, telling me that she comes from a family of five children. Her brother sadly passed away at the tender age of 10, after being diagnosed with Leukaemia. “This was before I was born, though my brother Alex was 8 at the time and my sister Clare was 4.” Pauline’s other brother Pierre was born 2 years later and she was born two years after that.
“I enjoy my job because it gives me the opportunity to be creative and to do what I love.”
What advice would you give to new mums?
“I think my advice to new mums would be to try and prepare themselves psychologically as much as they can for the pregnancy and baby. And when the baby comes to, as much as possible, savour every moment because they do grow up really quickly.”
Even now, Pauline tells me that she still loves being prepared. “I always replenish my baby bag as soon as I get home, with nappies, wipes, a change of clothes, drink and snacks, just in case we need to rush somewhere quickly.”
Pauline wears: Jacket by Guess (Dizz Group); Painting: Camilleri Paris Mode Rabat
What is the best thing you bought as a mum?
Pauline’s eyes gleam with excitement. Apparently she is an aficionado of useful gadgets that make mums’ lives easier. “Okay, I am going to narrow it down to three things that made my life so much easier when I became a mum, especially in the early days:
The Doona Car Seat. It is like this product was made specifically for me” she says. I ask her what is so special about it, “It is basically a car seat with a pushchair incorporated in it. So when you close it, is a car-seat and when you open it, a pushchair, so practical” she smiles. “The Link Food Processor by Suavinex” , which is a steriliser, food processor and steamer all rolled into one and the Armadillo Flip XT Pushchair which has a 2-way flip technology letting the baby face you or away from you in one easy movement.”
“I felt so responsible about being in charge of moulding his virgin stomach that I wanted to prepare the healthiest meals I could.”
What are your plans in terms of your career for the near future?
“I enjoy my job because it gives me the opportunity to be creative and to do what I love. I will continue to produce and present TV programs. We have some surprises coming up on ‘Ilsien in Nisa since we are going into our 7th schedule which is very exciting.
I have also just launched my own website, paulineagius.com which is an online space where I talk about what I am passionate about, my TV programs as well as the Facebook page I founded ‘Insajru ghat-tfal”.
Tell me more about “Insajru ghat-tfal”
“’Insajru ghat-tfal’ is a Facebook page I created which helps inspire mums to prepare healthy, easy to prepare recipes for their family. It all started because, to everyone’ surprise I struggled in the beginning when it came to feeding solids to my son. I waited for the 6-month mark, as recommended by pediatricians and before that my son was already showing interest in food so all my friends and family used to tell me, “ooooh, this boy will give you no problems once he starts eating.
However they were wrong as I had to be very patient until he finally started eating. I was very careful with what I prepared for him. I felt so responsible about being in charge of moulding his virgin stomach that I wanted to prepare the healthiest meals I could. This is what spurred me to create the Facebook page; to share the recipes of the healthy meals I used to prepare. Both Cris and I are firm believers that what we eat also influences Ben’s behaviour so we prepare healthy meals for all the family and I also like sharing these ideas on the Facebook page.”
Pauline wears: Jeans, T-shirt, Jacket, all by: Guess (Dizz Group)
What makes you happy?
“The present moment”
What is your favourite food?
“Home-made pizza, the simpler the better”
What is your favourite drink?
“Coffee and water”
What is your favourite TV series?
“Scandal and Suits”
Best place you travelled to?
“I love travelling but I think the destination that tops all is Italy, especially Tuscany”
What do you admire in people?
“I appreciate people who are positive, smile a lot and people who work hard.”
What do you despise in people?
“I am not a fan of people who are negative and complain for no reason”
What are your hobbies?
“Travel, Photography and Interior design”
Any hidden talents?
“Well I don’t know if it’s a hidden talent but I love photography and enjoy it especially when we travel.”
We would like to thank Pauline Agius for so graciously accepting to feature in our cover story. Check her out on ‘Indhouse’, aired every Friday at 5:30pm on ONE TV and ‘Ilsien in-Nisa’ on Saturday afternoons at 1:30pm on ONE TV.
Thanks also goes to Noella Agius for the amazing photos, Drew Warhurst at DIZZ Group for styling, Mateja Camilleri using New CID cosmetics for makeup, Lara Steer at D Salon for hair, Guess and Guess Marciano (DIZZ Group) for the clothes, Tania Gordiyenko at STAGE for Pauline’s nails and Camilleri Paris Mode, Rabat for the stunning location.
Article by Davinia Mallia Pulé
Photo credits:
- Photography: Noella Agius;
- Clothing: Guess & Guess Marciano (DIZZ Group)
- Styling: Drew Warhurst at DIZZ Group
- Make up: Mateja Camilleri using New CID cosmetics
- Hair: Lara Steer at D Salon
- Nails: Tania Gordiyenko at STAGE
- Location: Camilleri Paris Mode Rabat
