Profession: Actor
Resides in: Los Angeles
What are your origins?
My father is Lebanese and my mother is American. I was born in Beirut and then raised in London.
Did you always want to be an actor?
Yes, but I actually started my career in finance for a few years, having completed a BA in French with Business Management. I felt that it was important to have something to fall back on, but I always knew that it was only a matter of time before I made the important decision of following my true passion.
Was it difficult to make such a transition?
It is always challenging to make a change, especially as I was leaving a stable job. But I knew that such a change would be much more fulfilling in the long run.
What first steps did you take to get into acting?
I started my training at the Actors Company in London, which culminated in a two month repertory season where I performed in Federico Lorca's play, ‘Yerma’. Then I moved to New York after being offered a place at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, performing in such productions as Arthur Miller's ‘The Crucible’, and Patrick Marber's ‘Closer’. Following this I moved to L.A.
What is the best thing about acting?
Being able to express myself creatively, and evoke emotion in other people. And of course, being paid to do something I love.
You recently completed your first feature film, can you tell us about it?
It is a psychological thriller called ‘Siren’. It’s about a few friends on a boating trip who encounter a seductive damsel in distress off the coast of one of the many secluded islands in the area. Without giving the plot away you’ll discover that it turns out to be the friends themselves who end up needing help.
What was the best thing about shooting the movie?
The movie was shot in Tunisia, and the locations were really beautiful. It was a great experience being on set with such a talented and dedicated cast and crew.
What was the hardest thing about shooting the movie?
Definitely the rigorous schedule, but at the end of the day, everyone involved was doing what they love to do.
So what stage is the film at right now?
So far it has attracted a lot of attention in the UK, and now a leading US sales company has decided to come onboard. It also had its market premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Also, your readers may be interested to know that there are a few promising leads for a Middle East sale.
The Bespoke team wish you all the best, and we look forward to watching Siren soon.
Thanks a lot, I hope you’ll enjoy it.
