Viral Show Season 5 Episode 6: Exclusive Interview with Zen-e Rooz Star, Forou

In today’s world of fashion and entertainment, those who dare to be different are judged more than ever. One of these controversial yet creative figures is Forou, a contestant from the first season of the popular competition Zen-e Rooz. Known for her unique styles and bold opinions, Forou sat down for an intimate interview with Viral Show on Alara Entertainment. She revealed the bittersweet experiences of immigration, the show’s controversies, and how online “hate” has impacted her creativity.

Forou’s Biography: From Tehran to the Heart of Istanbul

Now 23 years old, Forou began her artistic journey at a young age. Born in Tehran, she decided to emigrate at the age of 18. Her destination was Istanbul—a city she chose for its cultural proximity and artistic potential. Although she briefly lived in Malaysia, she eventually returned to Turkey to complete her studies in Fashion Design.

In addition to her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Forou holds a diploma in Computer Graphics and considers art an inseparable part of her identity. She believes that a bachelor’s degree alone is not enough in today’s world and plans to continue her education, though she emphasizes that her most significant learning has come from the professional market and real-world environments rather than university classrooms.

Season 3 of Zen-e Rooz: Conflict or Stage Stress?

With the start of Zen-e Rooz Season 3, many viewers have noticed a shift in tone and an increase in conflicts among contestants. When asked if this season’s participants are more “combative,” Forou remarked:

“I don’t think their conflicts are necessarily more than ours in Season 1. The reality is that the competition environment, time pressure, and the stress of being on camera change people’s behavior. Someone who appears short-tempered on the show might have a completely different personality in the real world.”

She also addressed the insults and verbal altercations on the show, revealing that due to the severe disrespect she faced, she went as far as seeking legal counsel and hiring a lawyer.

Controversial Styles and Clashes with Judges

A major highlight of Forou’s time on the show was her confrontation with the judges, particularly Shirin Moghadam and Pedram Alizadeh. Her styles, which were often unconventional and “costume-like,” were frequently criticized. A video of her debate with Pedram over the definition of “chicness” and wearing short skirts for specific concepts received over 16,000 comments and went viral.

Forou explains: “I always tried to look at concepts from a different angle. To me, being chic doesn’t mean following a specific framework. Everyone has their own vision. The problem was that the judges wanted to fit everyone into one specific mold, and that was something I naturally resisted.”

The Destructive Impact of “Hate” on Creativity

One of the most poignant moments of the interview was Forou’s admission regarding the decline of her creativity following the show. She explained that the harsh and negative public reactions to her unique styles created an internal fear:

“I was always looking to create unique things. But when I saw how negatively society reacts to anything outside the norm, I chose to step back. This fear of judgment caused me to distance myself from that creative side of me.”

She also noted that she has limited her social media activity to focus on personal growth and real-world branding, stating that a follower count does not necessarily equate to success.

A Look at Past Winners

Forou shared her candid opinions on previous winners:

• Season 1: She believes Mahla highly deserved it due to her hard work and the effort of traveling from the US.
• Season 2: In her opinion, Bita deserved to be among the top three.

Regarding her own journey, she stated: “I never moved according to the judges’ tastes, which is why I didn’t win but I always stood by my style.”

Segment Two: Viral Videos of the Week

In the second half of the show, the Alara team reviewed the week’s trending videos:

• The “Gang” Program and Rap in Iran: A look at Ali Zia’s new show and the challenges of rap music.
• Mehran Modiri: Rumors of his return to TV with a new series for Nowruz.
• The Bizarre Proposal: A viral video of a Chinese groom’s extravagant and costly proposal efforts.
• Mohsen Yeganeh Nostalgia: A look back at an old performance of the hit song “Nashkan Delamo.”
• The Smart Dolphin: A dolphin’s strange reaction to a tourist smoking.