At just 21, Maya Akra was living what most people would call a dream life. Fresh out of college, she landed a full time job at Music or Media Holding MTV Lebanon. Her recruitment was thanks to her disruptive blog mayaakra.wordpress.com, which had caught the attention of industry leaders. Maya initially joined as a marketing representative for the new music television channel NRJHITSTV. Within months, she rose to become the head of social media for NRJ Lebanon and Nostalgie Liban. By the end of 2015, in less than two years, she had grown their Facebook following to an astonishing 1.2 million.
Maya’s career was fast paced and exciting. She managed backstage events like Redfoo’s NRJ Music Tour, coordinated full scale shows such as NRJ Extravadance, and handled ambassador programs, social media clients, auditions, and sponsorship collaborations. She even traveled internationally, including trips to Monaco and Cyprus, as part of her work. At 21, Maya had the career of her dreams and a sense of accomplishment that was off the charts. She recalls the joy of making people around her succeed, including a cancer survivor she helped meet Redfoo despite initial resistance.
However, life threw a curveball. During an event with Angus and Julia Stone, a huge granite table was placed backstage. When asked about it, Maya attempted to move it herself, resulting in a severe back injury. She had not fully understood the long term impact of back injuries and found herself undergoing months of physical therapy, swimming hours, taking anti inflammatories, and dealing with sleepless nights filled with pain.
At the same time, Maya was in a toxic relationship, which compounded her stress. One moment that shifted her perspective was a conversation with an older accountant who casually mentioned taking four pain killers a day to manage work stress. It made Maya realize she did not want to spend her future life behind a desk in constant pain. Choosing her health over her career, she bravely left her job, and that decision marked a major turning point in her life. From that moment on, she began handling digital clients, working on creative shoots, and eventually launched her acting and influencing career. This was the moment when Maya stepped from behind the camera and truly became Maya Akra.
The Spark of Performance
Maya’s love for performance started very early. Growing up, her father often had a VHS camera in her face. At age three, she would perform in front of it, narrating imaginative stories with her stuffed animals. One memorable performance involved consoling a crying stuffed animal while explaining that her dress was fifty dollars and she should not cry.
Her early years were filled with school plays, ballet, and impromptu comedy sketches that entertained both her peers and teachers. Maya’s sister, before her passing, advised her to remain smart, hardworking, and funny. Humor became a defining trait for Maya, with friends describing her presence as funny and lively. At age fourteen, a friend told her that making people laugh was not her responsibility, yet Maya embraced humor as a purpose and eventually made it a cornerstone of her career.
Comedy and acting became tools for Maya to navigate life’s ups and downs. Inspired by comedians like Kate McKinnon and Chelsea Handler, she dreamed of one day appearing on SNL. She also explored dramatic acting, empathizing deeply with characters in films — such as portraying a Syrian refugee in a 2016 short film directed by Ayman Hamawi. More recently, Maya starred as the lead in Eid Mubarak, a film shot in New York that tells the story of an Arab American girl not accepted in her mother’s house unless she wears a hijab. Acting has allowed her to turn personal empathy and emotional experiences into compelling performances.
Launching Her Own Agency: Social Mode
In 2016, after leaving MTV Lebanon, Maya founded her own advertising agency, Social Mode, in Lebanon. Later, in February 2024, she officially established Social Mode NYC LLC in America.
One of her early clients was Director’s Kcut, a boutique academy offering courses in TV presenting, directing, fashion styling, etiquette, and editing. Maya, through this professional partnership, had the unique privilege to attend all classes for free, giving her a rare opportunity to develop a diverse skill set.
Soon, she became a familiar face in TV commercials for top brands including KFC, Meem Bank, McDonalds, Snips Chips, Bank Audi, Middle East Airlines, Gandour Oil, Bou Khalil Supermarket, ARLA Milk, Puck, and Nescafe. Her creativity extended beyond commercials as she produced viral content for digital platforms and collaborated with media outlets like Fem Arabia. One of her videos even won a Dubai Stallions Award, marking a recognition of her creative talent.
Her stand up comedy debut on the show Hayda Hakeh alongside Adel Karam was a milestone, followed by performances in Dubai with Comedy Central Arabia. Maya’s humor, intelligence, and social media expertise combined to build a strong personal brand that continued to grow globally.
Expanding into Acting and Viral Performances
Maya continued to expand her creative footprint by acting in TV series such as This Is Earth on Shahid TV and Watan 3a Watar with Emad Farajin. One of their skits went viral and continues to circulate online, exemplifying her ability to capture audiences through humor and relatable storytelling. She also appeared in the five-award-winning film Anora, further solidifying her place in the world of cinema.
Despite these successes, Maya faced common challenges for creatives, such as financial limitations and missed opportunities. She acknowledges that she needs support in managing operational tasks alongside her creative pursuits. Yet her determination remains steadfast, and she continues to seek sponsors, collaborators, and agents who can help her maximize opportunities.
Life in America and Creative Momentum
Currently based in the United States, Maya shares her life through daily YouTube videos covering her travels, experiences, and personal reflections. Each ten minute video combines humor, life lessons, and candid moments, reflecting her journey as a content creator and entertainer. Maya envisions turning her first four years in America into a stand up special for platforms like Shahid or Netflix. She is also working on writing a book and developing three movie scripts, demonstrating her commitment to storytelling across multiple mediums.
Maya emphasizes the importance of momentum and focus. She explains that distractions, whether personal or professional, can significantly slow progress. She believes in giving oneself three uninterrupted years of focused effort to achieve major goals. Setting boundaries, saying no to distractions, and trusting divine timing are key principles she follows to maintain progress toward her dreams.
Resilience, Inspiration, and Legacy
Maya draws inspiration from her late sister, who encouraged her to be smart, hardworking, and funny, and from her aunt, whose honesty and strong faith shaped Maya’s values. She also reflects on mentors and icons like Michael Jackson, Leonard Cohen, and Ziad Rahbany, who inspire her both professionally and personally.
She has learned that setbacks, losses, and challenges are opportunities to grow. Maya’s empathy allows her to connect deeply with people, whether in comedy, acting, or daily life. She hopes to be remembered as someone who brought joy, creativity, and authenticity into the world, and who inspired others to pursue their dreams courageously.
Conclusion
Maya Akra’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and relentless pursuit of passion. From her early days at MTV Lebanon to establishing her agency, performing in viral videos, acting in films, and developing her comedy career internationally, she continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Her journey demonstrates that success requires audacity, dedication, and the courage to follow one’s heart. Maya Akra proves that with talent, focus, and perseverance, obstacles can be transformed into opportunities, and dreams can indeed become reality.
Resilience, Inspiration, and Legacy
Maya draws inspiration from her late sister, who encouraged her to be smart, hardworking, and funny, and from her aunt, whose honesty and strong faith shaped Maya’s values. She also reflects on mentors and icons like Michael Jackson, Leonard Cohen, and Ziad Rahbany, who inspire her both professionally and personally.
She has learned that setbacks, losses, and challenges are opportunities to grow. Maya’s empathy allows her to connect deeply with people, whether in comedy, acting, or daily life. She hopes to be remembered as someone who brought joy, creativity, and authenticity into the world, and who inspired others to pursue their dreams courageously.
Conclusion
Maya Akra’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and relentless pursuit of passion. From her early days at MTV Lebanon to establishing her agency, performing in viral videos, acting in films, and developing her comedy career internationally, she continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Her journey demonstrates that success requires audacity, dedication, and the courage to follow one’s heart. Maya Akra proves that with talent, focus, and perseverance, obstacles can be transformed into opportunities, and dreams can indeed become reality.
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