In my career, I have had the chance to take on various roles, but one of the most unforgettable experiences was working with M. Night Shyamalan on “Glass”, which was filmed in Brazil, where I began my career after graduating from drama school.
I was born and raised by a Syrian-Lebanese mother and a French father. From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to be an artist—someone whose work could deeply touch and resonate with others. I was particularly drawn to the transformative power of film, eager to make people laugh, cry, and experience the magic of storytelling.
Another standout project during my time in Brazil was my role in the HBO series “PSI”. I also appeared in other TV series like “Metropoles” and “The Heritage”, as well as several short films.
Working on “Glass” was a special moment, especially since only four Brazilian actors were involved in the production. My comedic timing stood out to the team. The production company, O2—Latin America’s largest studio—had been auditioning actresses in Brazil for weeks. At the time, I was living in Madrid, mostly working in commercials. My agency in Brazil kept urging me to come back for the in-person auditions, which were a requirement in 2018—no self-tapes allowed. All I knew was that the film would feature major Hollywood stars, but I had no further details. So, I booked a flight, flew back to Brazil, and auditioned in the final round of casting. To my amazement, I was offered the role.
Being part of such a small group of Brazilian actors meant we had rare opportunities to connect with M. Night Shyamalan, especially since we were all staying at the same hotel. I remember asking him why he chose me for the role, and he told me that my audition had made him “almost fall off his chair” from laughing. It was such a huge compliment, and I was thrilled when he explained that my comedic approach helped me stand out among hundreds of other auditions.
Once we finished filming, I returned to Madrid, where I signed with a British agent and decided to move to London, understanding that in order to truly develop an international career, I needed to immerse myself in an English-speaking market. London, with its vibrant energy, had also become a major hub for American productions in recent years, thanks to fewer union restrictions and appealing tax incentives. While in London, I had the opportunity to audition for major Netflix series and Warner Bros. films.
While living in London, I also took the opportunity to train in screen combat, which allowed me to develop martial arts skills specifically for film. This training led me to roles in three action films where I could showcase those abilities. I also found great joy in working on British comedies, particularly those with dry, sarcastic, and witty humor, a style I truly admire. London provided the perfect environment for me to push my limits and grow as an actor. Over the course of four years, I worked on several feature films, short films, and TV series, many of which are now available on Prime Video.
This phase of my career was incredibly fulfilling, both on a personal and professional level. I received two Best Actress awards for my performances in British films such as “Off His Job” and “The Magnificence of You”, both of which are available on Prime Video. “The Magnificence of You” alone won 13 awards. I was also part of an award-winning ensemble cast in “What the Fact”, which earned multiple accolades and is available on Prime Video. In 2021, I played a comedic role in “Cereal Man”, directed by Kai Ephron, which we filmed in Venice, Italy. Another significant project in the UK was “Love is Enough”, where I portrayed a woman hardened by life and a difficult marriage.
Besides being an actress, I am a trained horseback rider, ballet dancer, martial artist, and I speak five languages: Brazilian Portuguese, French, English, Spanish, and Italian. However, my most valuable asset is my ability to do comedy. Comedy is often regarded as one of the hardest genres to master, and it brings me true joy.
In terms of future projects, I’ll soon be starring in one that combines the spirit of “Emily in Paris” (Darren Star), “Fleabag” (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), “Girls” (Lena Dunham), and “Frances Ha” (Greta Gerwig), based on my own life experiences living across different countries. These creators are my role models—especially Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Lena Dunham, and Greta Gerwig—because, like them, I aspire to both act in and create my own work. Much like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon did with “Good Will Hunting”.
Although I had successes in Brazil, Madrid, and the UK, my ultimate ambition was always to make it to Hollywood, the heart of the global film industry. I recently relocated to Los Angeles, where I’ve been fortunate to work on a variety of projects, including feature films, short films, commercials, and music videos. This new chapter has been incredibly exciting, and I’m extremely grateful to be here. It feels like my dreams are finally coming true in Hollywood. In LA, I’ve built up a strong body of work, including roles in films such as the thriller “Cruel Love” (directed by Nick Lyon), the psychological drama “Double Exposure” (directed by Howard Goldberg, available on MUBI), and the action-packed “Blow for Blow” (directed by Rigan Machado), which will be released in both U.S. and Brazilian theaters. I’ve also worked on several short films, including “Someone in Me” (directed by Rafaela Goncalves), as well as commercial and music video projects. A major highlight has been collaborating with Victor Sally, a Sony Music artist, on two music videos filmed in Los Angeles in 2024. I played lead roles in both “Blow for Blow” (the theme song for the film) and “Parecia de Cinema”, with Victor recording his debut album in Hollywood.
In March 2025, I’ll be filming again with Rigan Machado on “Machado Brothers against Zombies”. The filming will take place in Texas. I’ve also been invited to play a lead role in “Karma”, Mark Clark’s next feature film, which will also be shot in the U.S. I’m also excited about “Corruption at the Border”, a dramatic thriller that will explore issues surrounding people and drug trafficking.
