Episode 3: Ever Bold and Ever Talented Egyptian Actress Amina Khalil Opens Up About Acting in A Time Of Corona, Fashion, and How Once Living In NYC Made Her Independent

Photo Credit: Ahmed Zaatar | MakeUP: Perry Saber

Born in Chicago, Egyptian-American actress Amina Khalil is an influential woman. As a child she would act out Disney movie scenes, casting her friends to play other roles, so it’s no surprise to those who know her best that she’s an actress. But, she’s not in it for the fame, acting is her way of connecting with people.

Her roles bring attention to the culture of the Middle East and the challenges women face in society. In a series called Leh La’a (‘Why Not?’) in english, directed by Mariam Ab, Khalil played a thirty-year-old woman who wants to gain independence from her family, move out, get a job, and live on her own. It was planned that she would marry, and though the marriage wasn’t arranged, it was a pushed union and Khalil’s character brought attention to this.

The thirty-two-year-old and I talk about a range of topics from acting, women in the Middle East, her experience of living alone in NYC- something that’s not the norm for single Arab women, her overcoming Covid, fashion, and her charity work.