Conversations with Ali Farahani

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Farahani.

Hi Ali, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from Tehran, Iran. About six years ago I moved to Dubai chasing my dreams, and now I’ve been in LA for three years. Ever since I can remember I’ve loved performing — dancing, singing, acting. As a kid I’d watch music videos, movies, TV shows and then redo all of them with my cousins or, honestly, mostly by myself. But growing up, I was told the arts weren’t really something someone like me should follow, that “it doesn’t happen around here.” So my love for it all stayed behind closed doors, just me in my bedroom.

Things shifted when I was 14 and walked into a group fitness class. That lit me up. Before I knew it, I was getting certified with a company from New Zealand called Les Mills — teaching cardio kickboxing, weights, yoga, meditation, and of course, dance. Group fitness felt like the closest thing to performing that I could actually do. I was teaching about 27 classes a week while still in school, and by 18 I’d become one of their main regional trainers across the Middle East, India, Russia, and South Africa.

I even opened my own gym in Tehran, but because of sanctions I lost my job with Les Mills. That was tough, but I turned the pain into something new — I started training instructors myself, and even taught at a well-known university in Tehran. The whole time, though, I knew my real passion was somewhere else. I wanted to get to the U.S. to act, sing, and dance.

So I moved to Dubai and built a solid career in fitness, traveled around Europe and Asia, but deep down I knew something was missing. Eventually, I closed my eyes to all the stability I had there, started taking acting and music classes, and applied to a school in LA. Everyone told me it was impossible — lawyers said I couldn’t get a visa, the embassy had a waitlist until 2025. But I didn’t take no for an answer. By a miracle, I got an appointment in just two days. I had nothing ready, rushed my documents to Dubai, and somehow walked out of the embassy with a visa in my hand. That moment still gives me chills — I cried tears of joy right outside, hands in the sky, full of gratitude.

Then came the leap. I packed my bags, said goodbye to Dubai, my family, my friends, not knowing when I’d see them again, and landed in LA without ever having set foot in America. I started college at AMDA, but after two semesters I realized it wasn’t the right fit and I couldn’t afford it. So I kept learning at different acting studios — Lesly Kahn, Jon Simmons, Anthony Meindl, and others.

Now I teach at Equinox and other studios, lead meditation and retreats, and hold dance and meditation gatherings on the beach. I write and shoot projects with friends who are just as passionate as I am. I keep taking singing and music classes, and every day I try to show up as best as I can in the city of my dreams.

I’m very spiritual, and I deeply value the community I’ve built here. I used to think life was about arriving somewhere, but now I see it’s about the path itself. And that’s what I remind myself of as I keep chasing my dreams — to act, sing, dance, and share my work in service to the world and to myself.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been smooth, but that’s part of the path — and honestly, it’s the path I chose. I try not to judge it and instead embrace the challenges, because I know they’re here to guide me. LA can definitely be tough, especially financially, and it takes time to build a community and support system that really fits.

For me, taking care of my mind, heart, and body is huge. With the entertainment industry being so uncertain, I had to learn — through experience — how to keep myself healthy while also looking for representation, auditioning, training, and staying connected to my craft, all while making a living. Being away from my family for over three years hasn’t been easy either, but it’s taught me so much, and I wouldn’t trade it.
As Maya Angelou says “Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.”

I’ve come to really embrace contrast in my life. I know it’s necessary for growth — for my own evolution and for the art I create and share with the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I teach meditation, dance, and fitness. I also write, act, and sing. What I feel sets me apart is my commitment to being fully myself. I bring my culture into my work, while also embracing the culture here, and I try to create things that feel boundless and deeply human.

I’m really drawn to our shared experiences — the things that connect us. I’m proud of the dance classes I’ve built and my unique taste in art. I’d describe myself as a highly sensitive person, and while that can be intense, it’s also given me emotional intelligence. That shows up in my art and in how I move through the world.

I don’t chase trends — I follow my heart. Everything I create comes from a genuine love for life. I truly love living!

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’d definitely consider myself a risk taker. I’ve made some big decisions and left a lot behind to be where I am now. I left Iran — my dad’s business, the country I grew up in, my gym, and all my childhood friends. Then I left Dubai, even with all the success, financial stability, and the comfort of being close enough for my parents to visit. On top of that, I shifted out of a career I’d been in for over a decade to fully pursue the arts. Dramatic, I know — but to me, there’s no real life without risk.

Whether we see ourselves as risk takers or not, life has a way of pushing us out of our comfort zones. I personally love the thrill of following my heart, even when there’s no evidence that my dream is actually going to happen. I believe vibration comes before manifestation. To me, risk is breaking out of the limits the mind creates, as a way of honoring the deeper purpose of the heart and soul. That feeling of fear is just an invitation for more love and life!
I’m gonna quote Maya Angelou again and say “The price is high, but the reward is great.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/alifarahaani
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
pictures by: Paniz Rahnama @panizrahnamaa