Conversations with Ariann Murad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariann Murad.

Hi Ariann, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ariann Murad Waiss is a Canadian-Mexican actress and producer who has carved a path in both film and theater. With a passion for storytelling that transcends borders, she has dedicated herself to bringing complex, meaningful narratives to life—both in front of and behind the camera.

Her artistic journey began with formal training at prestigious institutions, including AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in New York, CEA Televisa in Mexico, Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, The Unknown London, and Meisner CasAzul. These experiences shaped her into a versatile performer, equipping her with the skills to navigate the worlds of film, television, and theater with ease.

Ariann’s acting career includes diverse roles across multiple mediums, with standout performances in The Flowers (Amazon Prime), Rumba Love, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Six Hours Away, and various productions with Televisa. Her ability to bring depth and authenticity to her characters has earned her critical recognition, including the 2020 Actress Revelation Award in Atlanta, GA, and Best Actress at Habima Mexico in 2018.

Beyond acting, Ariann has taken on the challenge of producing, determined to bring bold and socially relevant stories to the screen. She is currently producing and starring in The Apartment on Grieskai Street, an independent film that delves into post-war trauma, historical memory, and the disturbing rise of Holocaust denial. With this project, she seeks to spark important conversations at a time when antisemitism is once again at the forefront of global discourse.

Passionate about using cinema as a tool for education, awareness, and change, Ariann is committed to crafting stories that challenge perspectives and leave a lasting impact. With a deep love for storytelling and an unwavering drive to push creative boundaries, she continues to establish herself as a force in the entertainment industry—both as an actress and a filmmaker.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Acting requires an impossible balance: you have to be tough enough to handle rejection day after day, yet open enough to channel deep, raw emotions into every performance. It’s a paradox I’ve lived with for years. I’ve walked into auditions knowing I was perfect for a role, only to be dismissed in seconds. I’ve given everything to projects that never saw the light of day. I’ve trusted people who made big promises but didn’t have the integrity to follow through. The industry can be ruthless, and there have been moments where I questioned everything—my choices, my talent, even my love for acting.

But no matter how many times I was knocked down, the fire inside me never burned out. I learned to separate my worth from external validation. I realized that waiting for the “right role” to come along was a passive way to approach a career built on passion. I needed to take control. I needed to create.

That’s why I decided to produce my own work, crafting the kind of complex, challenging roles I want to see on screen.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do theater, film, and television, each offering a distinct way to connect with audiences. Theater is electric and immediate, film provides a dynamic space to develop characters over time. I love them all for what they uniquely bring to the craft.

I love bringing complex, emotionally rich characters to life. Whether it’s comedy—where I get to explore timing, wit, and the joy of making people laugh—or deeply dramatic roles that tap into raw human experiences, I thrive on pushing the emotional spectrum. Right now, I’m building a character that is deep, raw, and emotionally moving, which is exactly the kind of work that excites me.

I’ve had the privilege of working on projects like The Flowers (Amazon Prime), Rumba Love, Six Hours Away, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, and various productions with Televisa. But what I’m most proud of is stepping into producing, taking full creative control over the kind of stories I want to tell. My current project, The Apartment on Grieskai Street, is an independent film that I’m both producing and starring in. It tackles post-war trauma and the rise of Holocaust denial—topics that I feel are not only relevant but urgent in today’s world.

What sets me apart is my relentless drive to create rather than wait. I’ve learned that in this industry, you can’t just hope for the right role to come along—you have to build it yourself. My ability to balance deep emotional vulnerability with a strong, fearless approach to my career allows me to keep evolving, learning, and telling the stories that matter to me.

At the end of the day, my goal is to move people—to make them feel something, whether it’s laughter, sorrow, or a profound shift in perspective. That’s what drives me, and that’s what keeps me pushing forward.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned on this journey is that no one is going to hand you the career you want—you have to create it yourself. For so long, I believed that if I worked hard enough, if I was talented enough, the “right” opportunities would find me. But the reality of this industry is that you can’t just wait. You have to take control, trust your instincts, and carve your own path. And….. you can never give up

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariannmurad/
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9953995/

Image Credits
Damián Hernández Medina