Meriam El Tahawy’s path in the acting world is a powerful story of passion, perseverance, and faith in the process. From her early childhood fascination with the stage to navigating the often harsh realities of the entertainment industry, her journey inspires aspiring actors everywhere.
The Harsh Reality of Auditions: Learning to Embrace Rejection
When Meriam El Tahawy studied theatre at university, she quickly realized how competitive and emotionally demanding auditions could be. After trying out for several plays without success, she confided in one of her professors about how discouraging repeated rejection felt. His response was a bold wake-up call:
“If you can’t handle rejection, you can’t be an actress.”
Those words initially hurt, but they shifted her mindset. She realized that rejection does not define whether you are a good or bad actress. In fact, she recently received powerful validation from one of the most respected directors in the industry — not being selected had nothing to do with her talent; he simply felt she looked younger than the character.
There are countless elements that influence casting decisions, and many have nothing to do with performance. Understanding this helped her embrace resilience and see every “no” as a step closer to the right “yes.”
Acting Found Me – A Childhood of Creativity and Stage Magic
Meriam El Tahawy often says she didn’t choose acting; rather, acting chose her. From a very young age, she was surrounded by art and inspired by the stories on screen. Unlike other kids who watched cartoons, she studied movies carefully, mimicking characters and creating little performances for her family. At just four years old, she became obsessed with the movie Africano, a fun twist in her childhood that deepened her love for cinema. Her first time on stage at the age of four was unforgettable. The rush of adrenaline, the sound of applause, and the sparkle in the audience’s eyes made her feel alive and connected. Acting gave her a voice and a way to express emotions, and she never wanted to stop.
Trusting the Process: The Key to Growth
One of her proudest achievements is learning to trust her journey. Success in acting doesn’t come overnight. It grows slowly — like building something brick by brick — with patience, dedication, and self-belief.
Self-doubt once slowed her down, but the moment she began focusing on the craft rather than the outcome, everything shifted. She learned to enjoy the process and let the results follow naturally.
From Student to Teacher: Embracing a New Role
After graduating, Meriam joined The American University in Cairo’s theatre department as a teaching assistant. This experience deepened her understanding of performance and allowed her to guide others on their artistic paths.
She later trained further to coach actors, and this teaching experience remains an important part of her development — but not her main focus. She prefers keeping her acting workshops as a side passion rather than a central part of her identity.
Current Projects: Expanding Horizons in Film and Television
Today, Meriam El Tahawy is building a strong and diverse portfolio. She is:
• Currently shooting a new series on Shahid
• Starring in Tesbah Ramad, noted as a project rather than a feature film
• Filming another feature film
She also recently starred in the short film “Some Love,” which won Best Film at the Alexandria Film Festival and was officially selected for:
– Bahrain Film Festival
– Golden Femi Film Festival
– AIFF Film Festival
– Lift-Off Global Network
– Kilaf Festival
These achievements mark an exciting new chapter in her rising career.
For Meriam, the greatest reward is when viewers emotionally connect with her characters — when her work makes them feel seen and understood.
Inspiration from Passionate People
Meriam draws motivation from people who chase their dreams relentlessly — the ones who don’t wait for opportunities but create them. Their energy inspires her to push forward and craft her own path in the industry.
Staying Motivated: A Personal Balance
She believes motivation has no universal rule. Sometimes it’s a walk, music, a warm drink, or simply allowing herself to feel frustrated without staying in that place. This balance keeps her grounded and moving forward.
Overcoming Setbacks: Lessons in Persistence
Like many actors, Meriam has faced setbacks. She once secured a role in a successful film, only to lose it due to production setbacks. Another beloved project was cancelled unexpectedly.
These experiences taught her that the industry is unpredictable — but they also strengthened her belief that what’s meant for her will always come.
A Lesson in Faith: Your Journey Is Unique
Her most important lesson is to trust timing and avoid comparison. She stays focused on her own path, celebrating others’ successes while embracing her own growth.
Redefining Success: Peace and Purpose Over Milestones
Early in her career, she equated success with big achievements. Now, success means inner peace, self-growth, and alignment with her purpose. She values the journey more than the highlight moments.
Advice to Her Younger Self: Patience and Authenticity
Meriam would tell her younger self to stop rushing. Rejection isn’t failure — it’s redirection. She’d encourage more confidence, constant practice, and deep authenticity.
Being true to herself, she believes, is her greatest strength.
A Legacy of Truth and Kindness
Meriam hopes to be remembered for honesty, kindness, and performances that make people feel understood. She wants her characters to bring comfort, connection, and truth to audiences.
Her journey proves that resilience, authenticity, and faith are just as essential as talent — and that true success is just as much about who you become as what you achieve.
Do follow her on Instagram
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