I recently had the opportunity to exclusively interview Mehra Marzbani to learn five random facts about herself and what lesson her character Yasmina, from Chicken Girls. Check out my interview with Mehra below:
Loryn: How has the pandemic changed you?
Mehra: The pandemic put me in a new, challenging situation socially and academically, but it allowed me to take the time to reflect on my life and what really matters to me. Of course, I’ve learned the importance of safety, as well as taking care of my mental and physical health. But during the pandemic, I also witnessed various protests for social justice, like the Black Lives Matter, Anti-Asian hate, and #MeToo movements. The pandemic has taught me how important democracy is and how important it is to have a voice and communicate your concerns and what you believe in. In fact, it was during this time that I was motivated to join my school’s newspaper and publish articles so I could write about what matters to me and have my voice heard, too.
Loryn: Who is an actress or actor you'd like to work with?
Mehra: I would love to work with Julia Roberts! She is an incredibly talented, versatile, multiple-award-winning actress who I know I could learn a lot from by working with her. I also admire how she uses her fame as a platform for advocating for women’s rights and supporting non-profit organizations, which goes to show that despite her immense popularity, she still cares about the world.
Loryn: What lesson has your character, Yasmina, from Chicken Girls taught you?
Mehra: Yasmina is a strong, smart, and determined girl. Even though she is new to her school and wants to fit in, she isn’t afraid to speak up about what she thinks is fair and the right thing to do. Overall, she stays true to herself and that is what she has taught me. I couldn’t be happier to play the role of someone who serves as a positive role model to other young girls and boys!
Loryn: What lesson has the entertainment industry taught you so far?
Mehra: The entertainment industry is rough--it’s competitive, and you have to be lucky to book a role. That’s why my experience working professionally as an actress has taught me the importance of believing in yourself and not giving up. Nine out of ten times you’re not going to book a role, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you lack the skills as an actor or should give up. Instead, you should treat your failures as learning experiences, and if you do receive feedback on your work, implement that feedback for the next audition. And don’t lose confidence in yourself; if you do, it will show in your performance and no one will want to hire you! If you’re passionate about something, and you’re willing to keep working hard and sharpening your skills, then your dreams are sure to come true.
Loryn: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Mehra: Because I'm acting, I feel that a lot of people think that it is the only thing I do outside of school. But believe it or not, it is not my only passion! I also care deeply about protecting civil rights and try to devote my free time to fighting for minority rights and women’s health rights. In fact, I recently accepted a position on a youth advisory board, where we will discuss such issues.
Be sure to stay updated with Mehra Marzbani by following her on Instagram: @mehramarzbani
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