Today we’d like to introduce you to Malili Dib.
Malili, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Puebla, Mexico. I moved for the first time to Los Angeles at the age of 18 to study filmmaking (since my parents wouldn’t allow me to study acting). I graduated at 19 with a degree in cinematography, producing and production design. After graduation, I stayed in Los Angeles for a period of one year, during which I had the amazing opportunity to work with the likes of Orlando Bloom, Laura Linney, Juliette Lewis and Mark Ruffalo… All this behind the camera of course.
At the end of that year, the opportunity to work in Pedro Torre’s famed show Mujeres Asesinas presented itself to me, so I decided to move back to Mexico and take it. It was then that I officially started my ADing career, but also where I had my first chance to be in front of the camera in a major show. There were a couple of episodes where they needed some extra help, and luckily, I was the right person to fill in those gaps. I stayed in Mexico for about four years, working on various projects and doing some consistent work in front of the camera… which I really really loved. In 2014, after finishing the production of Gossip Girl Acapulco where I was able to have my most substantial role in front of the camera, I finally decided there was no turning back; I had to embrace the acting bug and turn it into my full-time career! I applied to the Stella Adler Studio of acting in NY and got accepted! I was beaming with excitement, so on I went to move back to the US, the East Coast this time, to finally follow my dream of becoming an actress. I graduated in 2016 and have since relocated to Los Angeles, where I have been fortunate enough to work in an array of incredible productions including commercials, TV shows and Feature Films, including Alonso Llosa’s “La Restauracion” a Peruvian film where I play Galia, an ambitious architect who will do anything to get ahead in her career, Jorge Xolalpa’s “Your Iron Lady” where I play Valeria, a loving and dedicated young woman who assists her mother in the difficult task of starting a new life in a new country. And also, David Prindle’s “The Flower Tapes” a horror film shot entirely during the quarantine where I play Rachel, an energetic, strong-minded Latina who experiences some eerie stuff during a group chat while in quarantine. This film is set to premiere in the upcoming months and I am extremely excited about it!
Now…while acting is going amazing, during this time, many of us (especially those of us who work in the entertainment industry) have been forced to reinvent ourselves and think outside the box to continue not only releasing our creativity but also generating income. And so, I am proud to also share the exciting launch of my own apparel company “Spirally Apparel”, a family apparel line selling all sorts of products featuring the original Spirally Characters. These characters are designed and drawn completely out of my imagination, using a pattern I created when I was just ten years old. It was funny how when I faced the moments of highest stress and anxiety regarding the current world situation, my mind went back to its root: My childhood and to an activity, I did back then, when life was easier and things were simpler. I hope the world can have a much-needed smile and a laugh when they look at my creations…
You can follow my personal account @MaliliDib where I share my everyday life occurrences as well as updates on my career and projects and also support my business, @SpirallyApparel, where I share images of my character design and fun family apparel! Thank you so much, stay strong and healthy!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There have been many, many struggles along the way. The transition from being behind to in front of the camera took lots of letting go and being vulnerable, which I wasn’t used to. The death of my father when I was only 21, being an immigrant in a country where you have to build a life for yourself from scratch, where you have no family or roots, and also the legal immigration aspect which, if done legally and right (which I have) can get very complicated and tedious. And now of course, COVID and all the changes it has brought to us. But like I mentioned before, I always focus on silver linings and I am now excited and proud to call myself a business owner. Don’t know that that would’ve happened without the transformation our world is going through!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
There’s nothing like the Spirally Characters out there. It is an array of completely original characters, drawn using a patented spiral pattern that has been a part of my life since I was ten years old. The possibilities of characters is endless and it is something that will always be fresh and new, as new characters are created practically on a daily basis. I am proud to offer products which celebrate art, creativity, happiness and specially the family unit; Which, as we’ve come to find out during these times, is THE MOST important thing we all have.
What were you like growing up?
I haven’t changed much since I was a little girl (look, I am even drawing the same way that I was 20 years ago, haha). I’ve always been very energetic, positive, artistic, loud, confident and sometimes stubborn and spoiled; but I have evolved as a person as I’ve grown. Being an actor has definitely had a big impact in my growth as a human. It has made me much more empathetic and open towards others, allowing me to be a better friend, daughter, sister and girlfriend.
Pricing:
- All items in the shop (woman, man, children and baby) range from $15-$50 dollars
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/spirallyapparel/all
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SpirallyApparel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpirallyApparel
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/malilidib/
Image Credit:
Malili Dib
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