Meet Ariana Azoulai | Actor, Musician, & Animal Rights Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariana Azoulai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariana, what principle do you value most?
Being authentic to myself has recently become something I value very much. Wanting to live with 85 rescue cats and read romance novels till the sun rises is information I now happily volunteer!

When I was younger, I used to emulate people I admired (love you, Ariana Grande!) because I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin. Maybe it’s a result of getting older, but now I aspire to achieve success on my own terms, staying true to who I am.

While I still draw inspiration from others, I prioritize maintaining my own identity. It’s taken a really long time as a people-pleaser to get to this point, but I’m finally understanding how valuable valuing oneself is.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started studying film acting at 14 years old and have continued doing so for the past 11 years. More recently, I have ventured into the world of music, pursuing singing and songwriting! I know both fields are very heavily saturated, but I hope to visually and sonically bring something different to the table by just being myself. With both fields, I, of course, want to use my platform–whatever size–to speak up for animals!

Currently, I’m most proud and excited about pursuing music. It’s a VERY new thing and has honestly taken me years to gather the courage to do so. I’m over the moon about releasing my music and sharing it with the world!
In terms of acting, I’m most proud of the passion projects I’ve been able to join. They are SO fun! You’re all working towards something that everyone truly believes in. To get to this point in my career, I’ve invested countless hours in classes, auditions, and reading, constantly seeking growth and expansion. Financial challenges have occasionally posed obstacles, but the unwavering love, support, and guidance from my family have been instrumental in overcoming them.

I love a good challenge, and the biggest challenge I’ve come to face in my career (and life), is feeling worthy enough. I’ve had a hard time feeling like I deserved to be heard. Support from those around me has of course helped, but this was something that required (and still requires) a lot of self-discovery.

Some lessons I’ve learned along the way is:
1. Take advantage of acting classes, preferably with small class sizes, that’s where you’ll be able to grow your confidence, make mistakes, and learn to take chances.
2. Don’t be afraid to do you, that’s what makes you special and stand out (which you want in this field!!!).
3. You can do ANYTHING. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re not valuable. To me, it speaks volumes if someone has to put you down to make themselves feel better.

Ultimately, I hope that the world will come to respect both my art, and animals as beings.
To hopefully inspire and influence others in the way that others have done for me.
To “pay-it-forward” in life. <3

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
OKAY, if you’re coming to visit me, you KNOW I’m going to take you to some amazing vegan places!

Restaurants we’re hitting are…
Sage Vegan Vistro & Cafe (buffalo cauliflower and fried artichoke hearts are a must.)
Gracias Madre (nachos are amazing.)
Crossroads Kitchen (EVERYTHING. Don’t be afraid to get funky with it and try the fun things.)
Doomie’s Home Cookin (As much as you can eat. Best comfort food.)
The Vegan Joint (Best staff you will ever meet!!!)
Chaumont Vegan (Gotta have some vegan croissants, of course.)

Places we’re hitting…
Malibu (just gorgeous!)
Redondo Beach (also gorgeous!)
Beelman’s in DTLA (vegan bar and eatery.)
Beetle House LA (haven’t been yet but it looks SO fun!)
Tea At Shiloh (also haven’t been yet but is one of the coolest things I think I’ve ever heard of. They have different events monthly.)
Live music on Sunset Blvd or The Forum depending on who’s playing

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could not be where I am without all of the amazing people who have helped shape me. I wish it wasn’t a privilege to have a good family, as everyone deserves that as a bare minimum. That said, I am one of the lucky ones who was blessed with a great family.

My mom, who played a major role in raising me, always emphasized empathy and fostered my love for music and animals. My brother, who grew up alongside me, embodies the values of hard work and genuine passion. My dad, who has taught me about evolution, has provided unwavering love and support for my dreams. The circle of support expands beyond my immediate family, including my extended family, close friends, family friends, teachers, and even strangers. The list truly goes on. I know without a doubt that I am where I am today because of the incredible people who surround me (LOVE YOU ALL!).

Website: arianaazoulai.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianaazoulai

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariana-azoulai-a371b815a/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmJVUbw0lWgcONn06RMP4g

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ariazou123?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
David Chan The Hendrys