Biography
Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly knew as a child her life ambitions, to be a pilot, to be a professor, to be a journalist to reach her professional goals she needed transport to El Cairo, so at the age of 16 Aida earned her commercial pilot's license, she got her wings and she was ready to fly. Armed with a masters from UCLA, and a doctorate from the Sorbonne, Dr O’Reilly became the department chair of Pan African studies at Californian state University.
When Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly was re-elected to serve a second term as the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (“HFPA”) in 2011, the organization, once again, chose this hard-working, talented and passionate orator who was uniquely equipped to lead this colorful group. A member of the HFPA since 1956, she represents Dubai and was previously the organization’s president from 1994 through 1996. Takla-O’Reilly’s second term ended earlier this year and she now sits on the HFPA Board of Directors.
Takla-O’Reilly was born in Cairo to affluent parents who trace their roots back to the Pharaohs, the Kings of ancient Egypt. As a child, she played amongst the pyramids and her parents provided a loving, stable home and instilled a strong sense of family and an appreciation of their culture. Takla-O’Reilly was an ambitious child who was full of curiosity and determination. Although she loved her home, she knew she would need transport out of Cairo in order to reach her lofty goals of becoming a professor and journalist. So, with that reasoning in mind and at the mere age of 16, she became the youngest woman in Egypt to earn her commercial pilot’s license.
Takla-O’Reilly’s journey took her to UCLA where she earned her master’s degree and soon after became a foreign correspondent and member of the HFPA. Although life was good, Takla-O’Reilly was never one to rest on her laurels and with goals yet to be obtained, she earned a doctorate degree from Sorbonne University in Paris, France. In 1976, now armed with a master’s and doctorate, Takla-O’Reilly sought out and was selected to chair the Pan-African Studies Department at California State University, Los Angeles. She held this post from 1976 through 1979 and then again from 1989 through 1998. During her tenure there, she taught as well as developed courses in literature, journalism and film studies.
Throughout her academic career, Takla-O’Reilly continued with journalism projects and in 1994 was elected to her first term as president of the HFPA. During her long history with the HFPA, Takla-O’Reilly has embodied the spirit of those first handful of Los Angeles-based journalists who banded together in the early 1940s to reach foreign audiences who, along with U.S. audiences, were hungry for a diversion from World War II and were seeking out films for escape, inspiration and entertainment. It was an uphill struggle at first but through their sheer will and determination, the HFPA grew, sharing contacts, information and material with foreign markets concerning American culture and traditions as depicted in motion pictures and television. This resulted in strong cultural ties and relationships with the United States.
The HFPA is known for its Golden Globes Awards ceremony held every January, however, some may not realize that this glittering ceremony has allowed the organization to donate more than $15 million in the past twenty years to entertainment-related charities, as well as funding scholarships and other programs for future film and television professionals. In the year 2013, the donations reached a total of $1,567,650 in grants destined to 50 different entertainment-related non-profits, institutions and charities.
Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly has carried the torch of those pioneer journalists who, against immense difficulties, formed the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. If there was ever an individual who could break down international cultural walls and overcome gender barriers, this woman, who became Egypt’s youngest female pilot, is certainly the one to do it.
A truly talented individual of many visions, it gives the Editors here at Shine On Hollywood Magazine great pleasure to present this interview with Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly.
Written by John Scholz
Shine On Hollywood Magazine
Takla-O’Reilly was born in Cairo to affluent parents who trace their roots back to the Pharaohs, the Kings of ancient Egypt. As a child, she played amongst the pyramids and her parents provided a loving, stable home and instilled a strong sense of family and an appreciation of their culture. Takla-O’Reilly was an ambitious child who was full of curiosity and determination. Although she loved her home, she knew she would need transport out of Cairo in order to reach her lofty goals of becoming a professor and journalist. So, with that reasoning in mind and at the mere age of 16, she became the youngest woman in Egypt to earn her commercial pilot’s license.
Takla-O’Reilly’s journey took her to UCLA where she earned her master’s degree and soon after became a foreign correspondent and member of the HFPA. Although life was good, Takla-O’Reilly was never one to rest on her laurels and with goals yet to be obtained, she earned a doctorate degree from Sorbonne University in Paris, France. In 1976, now armed with a master’s and doctorate, Takla-O’Reilly sought out and was selected to chair the Pan-African Studies Department at California State University, Los Angeles. She held this post from 1976 through 1979 and then again from 1989 through 1998. During her tenure there, she taught as well as developed courses in literature, journalism and film studies.
Throughout her academic career, Takla-O’Reilly continued with journalism projects and in 1994 was elected to her first term as president of the HFPA. During her long history with the HFPA, Takla-O’Reilly has embodied the spirit of those first handful of Los Angeles-based journalists who banded together in the early 1940s to reach foreign audiences who, along with U.S. audiences, were hungry for a diversion from World War II and were seeking out films for escape, inspiration and entertainment. It was an uphill struggle at first but through their sheer will and determination, the HFPA grew, sharing contacts, information and material with foreign markets concerning American culture and traditions as depicted in motion pictures and television. This resulted in strong cultural ties and relationships with the United States.
The HFPA is known for its Golden Globes Awards ceremony held every January, however, some may not realize that this glittering ceremony has allowed the organization to donate more than $15 million in the past twenty years to entertainment-related charities, as well as funding scholarships and other programs for future film and television professionals. In the year 2013, the donations reached a total of $1,567,650 in grants destined to 50 different entertainment-related non-profits, institutions and charities.
Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly has carried the torch of those pioneer journalists who, against immense difficulties, formed the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. If there was ever an individual who could break down international cultural walls and overcome gender barriers, this woman, who became Egypt’s youngest female pilot, is certainly the one to do it.
A truly talented individual of many visions, it gives the Editors here at Shine On Hollywood Magazine great pleasure to present this interview with Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly.
Written by John Scholz
Shine On Hollywood Magazine
Testimonials
She wanted to bring to the social and behavior sciences the Perspective of literature, she wanted to bring the Perspective of poetry, and she believed that film is in itself first and foremost literature, and Poetry.
Throughout her academic career Dr. O’Reilly nurtured a journalism career by writing by writing movie reviews, as Hollywood began to recognize the influence of the international market, Dr O’Reilly joined the Hollywood Foreign press association, the founders of the Golden Globe awards, and eventually became their president. ~ RON DAVIS
Every member of the film and television industry benefits from the efforts of the Hollywood Foreign Press, their members spread the good news about Hollywood to more than 200 media outlets, in over 50 countries, their work is the key reason our industry is alive and well around the world and we thank them for it.
As the popularity of the Golden Globes grew, Dr. O’Reilly over saw the smooth transition of the televised award ceremony from TBS to NBC. ~ SHARON STONE
They discovered something nice a brilliant business women, and we were able to put together the NBC Arrangement for the Golden Globes that to this day that stands as one of the most valuable Francize.
With the success of televising the Golden Globes awards, to a worldwide audience Dr. O'Reilly distinguished herself as a publicity star maker, it was time to expand her vision of bringing the film experience to the messes with a brilliant marketing strategy in Print media. ~ DICK CLARK
Aida was the one that had the vision of taking the Hollywood reporter and making a separate special issue for the Golden Globes.
With each passing year, the Golden Globe awards became a recorded history of the world's greatest film accomplishments , as president and CEO of Trinity collage of graduate studies Dr O'Reilly continues to make her mark.
~ ROBERT DOWLING, Hollywood Reporter
Aida O’Reilly does not think in a line a fashion she thinks instead in multi dimensions that reflects her own multi cultural background. ~ RON DAVIS
Well she looks at people for who they are, not a who society may see them as at that point in time, whether it be a group or an individual, she really sees through the heart and soul of people.
If ever there were a women to break International barriers in the film promotions industry, that 16 year old pilot, with the tenacity to ignore cultural and gender barriers was the one to do it. Dr Aida Takla O’Reilly TRULY IS A WOMAN OF MANY VISIONS DEAN OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, Cal State Northridge. ~ DOMENIQUE APPLEBY
About HFPA
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual Golden Globe Awards have enabled the non-profit organization to donate more than $29 million in the past thirty years to entertainment-related charities, as well as funding scholarships and other programs for future film and television professionals. In the year 2017, the donations reached a total of over $2.8 million in grants destined to non-profits, institutions, and charities.
Known worldwide for its glittering Golden Globe Awards ceremony held every January and its multi-million dollar donations to charity, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had humble origins that stemmed solely from a group of journalists' desire to efficiently and accurately cover all aspects of the world of entertainment.
Today's organization has its roots in the early 1940s when Pearl Harbor had drawn America into World War II. Audiences, hungry for diversion, were seeking out films offering escape, inspiration, and entertainment; and filmmakers such as Orson Welles, Preston Sturges, Darryl Zanuck and Michael Curtiz were working hard to fulfill the need. Amid the turmoil of war and the difficulties with communications, a handful of Los Angeles-based overseas journalists banded together to share contacts, information, and material. The idea was not a new one: previously, in 1928 the Hollywood Association of Foreign Correspondents (HAFCO) had been formed and, in 1935, the Foreign Press Society appeared. Both were short-lived, although the HAFCO had a brief moment in the spotlight when Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and other celebrities showed up at an International Ball the group organized at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
In 1943 the journalists, led by the correspondent for Britain's Daily Mail, formed the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association and conceived the motto “Unity Without Discrimination of Religion or Race.” It was an uphill struggle at first as the film industry had not yet realized the importance of foreign markets. At first, the members held informal gatherings in private homes. As the membership grew, HFPA meetings were held in larger quarters, with the association selecting the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel as the location for group functions.
The group’s first special event was a luncheon in December 1947, at which a meritorious plaque was awarded to Harry M. Warner, president of Warner Bros., in recognition of his humanitarian work as the principal sponsor of the “Friendship Train,” which left Hollywood with food, clothing, and medical supplies for the needy of Europe.
In 1950 differing philosophies among members created a schism within the organization, resulting in a split into two separate groups -- The Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association and the Foreign Press Association of Hollywood.
For a time, the two organizations existed side by side, with one group handing out Golden Globes while the other awarded Henriettas, named for their president, Henry Gris. The separation ended in 1955 when the journalists reunited under the collective title “The Hollywood Foreign Press Association” with firm guidelines and requirements for membership.
During its early years, the HFPA established itself with the studios by innovations such as its World Favorites awards, which it came up with by polling more than 900 newspapers, magazines and radio stations around the world. Among those honored were Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day and Leslie Caron. The group also came up with the idea of "bon voyage" interview lunches with actors and actresses who were leaving to make films in countries represented by the members.
A continuing tradition of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is the group’s annual selection of Miss and/or Mr. Golden Globe, the daughter and/or son of a well-known performer who assists in the Golden Globe ceremony. Previous Miss Golden Globe honorees include Laura Dern (daughter of Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern), Joely Fisher (daughter of Connie Stevens and Eddie Fisher), Melanie Griffith (daughter of Tippi Hedren), Griffith's daughter Dakota Johnson and Lorraine Nicholson (daughter of Jack Nicholson). The 2016 Miss Golden Globe was Corinne Foxx, daughter of Jamie Foxx, and in 2017 a new record was established, with three Misses Golden Globes: Sistine, Sophia and Scarlet, daughters of Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin. Previous Mr. Golden Globes include John Clark Gable and Freddie Prinze, Jr.
In 2018 the title Miss/Mister Golden Globe was officially replaced by the more inclusive Golden Globe Ambassador. Simone Garcia Johnson, daugher of entertainment icon Dwayne Johnson and producer Dany Garcia, became the first Golden Globe Ambassador.
Elizabeth Taylor, Cecil B. deMille Award recipient of 1984.
Elizabeth Taylor In 1952 a new award was added to the Golden Globes: the prestigious Cecil B. deMille Award, honoring the body of work of a distinguished entertainment professional. Hollywood icon Cecil B. deMille himself was the first recipient, with Walt Disney following suit in 1953. The 2017 Cecil B. deMille recipient was Meryl Streep, who accepted the honor with a passionate and galvanizing speech. In 2018, multi-hyphenate Oprah Winfrey was the recipient of the Cecil B. deMille Award and, just like her predecessor, brought the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton to their feet, with a brilliant speech about inclusion, strength and creating a better future.
In January 2018 the HFPA celebrated its 75th anniversary in Hollywood. Today the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association represent some 55 countries with a combined readership of more than 250 million. Their publications include leading newspapers and magazines in Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America, ranging from the Daily Telegraph in England to Le Figaro in France, L'Espresso in Italy and Vogue in Germany as well as the China Times, Exame magazine in Brazil and the pan-Arabic magazine Kul Al Osra.
Each year members interview more than 400 actors, directors, writers, and producers, as well as reporting from film sets and seeing more than 300 films. Members also attend film festivals in other countries in order to seek out interesting and innovative foreign language films and establish cultural bonds with directors, actors, jurors and fellow journalists around the world.
Membership meetings are held monthly and the officers and directors are elected annually. A maximum of five journalists is admitted to the organization each year. All members are accredited by the Motion Picture Association of America.
As the international box office has dramatically expanded in recent years, so has the Globes’ prestige increased. The awards now have the distinction of being one of the three most-watched awards shows on television.
Mission Statement
To establish favorable relations and cultural ties between foreign countries and the United States of America by the dissemination of information concerning the American culture and traditions as depicted in motion pictures and television through news media in various foreign countries;
To recognize outstanding achievements by conferring annual Awards of Merit, (Golden Globe® Awards), serving as a constant incentive within the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television;
To contribute to other nonprofit organizations connected with the entertainment industry and involved in educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities;
To promote interest in the study of the arts, including the development of talent in the entertainment field through scholarships given to major learning institutions.
More on HFPA: https://www.goldenglobes.com/about-hfpa-0 or click images.
Known worldwide for its glittering Golden Globe Awards ceremony held every January and its multi-million dollar donations to charity, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had humble origins that stemmed solely from a group of journalists' desire to efficiently and accurately cover all aspects of the world of entertainment.
Today's organization has its roots in the early 1940s when Pearl Harbor had drawn America into World War II. Audiences, hungry for diversion, were seeking out films offering escape, inspiration, and entertainment; and filmmakers such as Orson Welles, Preston Sturges, Darryl Zanuck and Michael Curtiz were working hard to fulfill the need. Amid the turmoil of war and the difficulties with communications, a handful of Los Angeles-based overseas journalists banded together to share contacts, information, and material. The idea was not a new one: previously, in 1928 the Hollywood Association of Foreign Correspondents (HAFCO) had been formed and, in 1935, the Foreign Press Society appeared. Both were short-lived, although the HAFCO had a brief moment in the spotlight when Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and other celebrities showed up at an International Ball the group organized at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
In 1943 the journalists, led by the correspondent for Britain's Daily Mail, formed the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association and conceived the motto “Unity Without Discrimination of Religion or Race.” It was an uphill struggle at first as the film industry had not yet realized the importance of foreign markets. At first, the members held informal gatherings in private homes. As the membership grew, HFPA meetings were held in larger quarters, with the association selecting the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel as the location for group functions.
The group’s first special event was a luncheon in December 1947, at which a meritorious plaque was awarded to Harry M. Warner, president of Warner Bros., in recognition of his humanitarian work as the principal sponsor of the “Friendship Train,” which left Hollywood with food, clothing, and medical supplies for the needy of Europe.
In 1950 differing philosophies among members created a schism within the organization, resulting in a split into two separate groups -- The Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association and the Foreign Press Association of Hollywood.
For a time, the two organizations existed side by side, with one group handing out Golden Globes while the other awarded Henriettas, named for their president, Henry Gris. The separation ended in 1955 when the journalists reunited under the collective title “The Hollywood Foreign Press Association” with firm guidelines and requirements for membership.
During its early years, the HFPA established itself with the studios by innovations such as its World Favorites awards, which it came up with by polling more than 900 newspapers, magazines and radio stations around the world. Among those honored were Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day and Leslie Caron. The group also came up with the idea of "bon voyage" interview lunches with actors and actresses who were leaving to make films in countries represented by the members.
A continuing tradition of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is the group’s annual selection of Miss and/or Mr. Golden Globe, the daughter and/or son of a well-known performer who assists in the Golden Globe ceremony. Previous Miss Golden Globe honorees include Laura Dern (daughter of Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern), Joely Fisher (daughter of Connie Stevens and Eddie Fisher), Melanie Griffith (daughter of Tippi Hedren), Griffith's daughter Dakota Johnson and Lorraine Nicholson (daughter of Jack Nicholson). The 2016 Miss Golden Globe was Corinne Foxx, daughter of Jamie Foxx, and in 2017 a new record was established, with three Misses Golden Globes: Sistine, Sophia and Scarlet, daughters of Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin. Previous Mr. Golden Globes include John Clark Gable and Freddie Prinze, Jr.
In 2018 the title Miss/Mister Golden Globe was officially replaced by the more inclusive Golden Globe Ambassador. Simone Garcia Johnson, daugher of entertainment icon Dwayne Johnson and producer Dany Garcia, became the first Golden Globe Ambassador.
Elizabeth Taylor, Cecil B. deMille Award recipient of 1984.
Elizabeth Taylor In 1952 a new award was added to the Golden Globes: the prestigious Cecil B. deMille Award, honoring the body of work of a distinguished entertainment professional. Hollywood icon Cecil B. deMille himself was the first recipient, with Walt Disney following suit in 1953. The 2017 Cecil B. deMille recipient was Meryl Streep, who accepted the honor with a passionate and galvanizing speech. In 2018, multi-hyphenate Oprah Winfrey was the recipient of the Cecil B. deMille Award and, just like her predecessor, brought the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton to their feet, with a brilliant speech about inclusion, strength and creating a better future.
In January 2018 the HFPA celebrated its 75th anniversary in Hollywood. Today the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association represent some 55 countries with a combined readership of more than 250 million. Their publications include leading newspapers and magazines in Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Latin America, ranging from the Daily Telegraph in England to Le Figaro in France, L'Espresso in Italy and Vogue in Germany as well as the China Times, Exame magazine in Brazil and the pan-Arabic magazine Kul Al Osra.
Each year members interview more than 400 actors, directors, writers, and producers, as well as reporting from film sets and seeing more than 300 films. Members also attend film festivals in other countries in order to seek out interesting and innovative foreign language films and establish cultural bonds with directors, actors, jurors and fellow journalists around the world.
Membership meetings are held monthly and the officers and directors are elected annually. A maximum of five journalists is admitted to the organization each year. All members are accredited by the Motion Picture Association of America.
As the international box office has dramatically expanded in recent years, so has the Globes’ prestige increased. The awards now have the distinction of being one of the three most-watched awards shows on television.
Mission Statement
To establish favorable relations and cultural ties between foreign countries and the United States of America by the dissemination of information concerning the American culture and traditions as depicted in motion pictures and television through news media in various foreign countries;
To recognize outstanding achievements by conferring annual Awards of Merit, (Golden Globe® Awards), serving as a constant incentive within the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television;
To contribute to other nonprofit organizations connected with the entertainment industry and involved in educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities;
To promote interest in the study of the arts, including the development of talent in the entertainment field through scholarships given to major learning institutions.
More on HFPA: https://www.goldenglobes.com/about-hfpa-0 or click images.
GOLDEN GLOBE(S)®, HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION®, CECIL B. DEMILLE® AND GOLDEN GLOBES® STATUETTE DESIGN MARK ARE THE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS AND THE GOLDEN GLOBE® STATUETTE THE COPYRIGHTED PROPERTY, OF THE HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT © HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.