Aghdashloo Shohreh

By Dina Morrone

Academy Award® Nominated Actress, international movie star, and human rights activist, speaks from the heart about her career, the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran, her brand new hair care line, and so much more.

You started your artistic career in Iran. Are you currently involved in any theatrical stage projects? If not, do you wish to return to the stage in the future?

Shohreh: I would love to return to the stage. My last theatrical involvement goes back to 2012 when I portrayed Bernarda Alba in Federico Garcia Lorca's play The House of Bernarda Alba. This is of the most incredible plays ever written. I had a great time performing Bernarda Alba at the Almeida Theatre in London.

It was a wonderful experience, but it took six months out of my life. That's why actors my age would rather work on films or TV series. A play can take two to three months just for the rehearsals, and add to that the many weeks of the run. Although theater is my first love when it comes to acting, I haven’t been able to dedicate that much time to another play since The House of Bernarda Alba.

If you hadn't become an actress, what other line of work would you have considered pursuing?

Shohreh: Teaching. I would have loved to become a teacher for underprivileged youth who do not have access to proper education.

I always wanted five children, but I couldn't afford five children. I only have one. My ideal life, if I hadn't become an actor, and didn't have to travel all the time, and if I didn't have to stop after giving birth to only one child, would have been to become a mother of five, raise my children, and work as a school teacher.

What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment?

Shohreh: My greatest accomplishment in life was when I decided to leave my birth country of Iran, in 1978, right after the turmoil. I jumped into my car at 4:00 AM and drove to Europe. I wanted to go to the UK to pursue higher education, so I drove for 12 days to get there. I sold my car and jewelry, went to university, studied political science and international relations, and got my BA in 1984.That is my greatest accomplishment because not only did I get educated, but I got myself politically educated and informed. My education has come in handy in my work every time I portray a political role, such as my character Chrisjen Avasarala, in the TV series, The Expanse

What do the ongoing protests in Iran indicate to you, both for Iran and for women's rights worldwide?

Shohreh: Protests started with the women of Iran six months ago over the death of a 22-yearold Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the so-called "Morality Police" for not wearing her headscarf correctly. Her murder ignited the constant struggle against the regime of the Islamic Republic, although protests have been going on since this current regime took over. During the Green Movement in 2009, women were also a massive part of that movement. But in this one, they have stayed at the center, right up front, and haven't left.

It is indeed a spontaneous movement that has now turned into a revolution. Their slogan is "Woman Life Freedom," and they aim to change the regime at any cost.

I'm so proud of these products. They are being made in the US. My haircare contains essential ingredients, including biotin and proteins, to strengthen the roots..

What do you want people to know about the women of Iran that people don't know? And how can one get involved and support this ongoing fight?

Shohreh: I would love for everyone to know the truth about the women of Iran because their portrayal in the news and the diaspora has not been justifiable. The women of Iran are far more educated, stronger, brave, and active than we have seen in the news coming out of Iran. The brave Iranians have decided they will no longer bear this religious tyranny. They're asking for a regime change. They don't even care if the government apologizes or tries to start negotiations with them because they're not willing to do any negotiations with this present regime. That is why they keep shouting that they want a regime change!

They won’t give up until there is a referendum in a free Iran after this regime is toppled. Politically speaking, we know we cannot have boots on the ground in Iran and cannot send soldiers from other countries. Furthermore, we know that interfering with Iran’s internal affairs is against international law. But we can have people around the world support the movement of these brave people and accept this spontaneous movement as a revolution. To echo their voices around the globe and let the world know that Iran cannot have political or economic stability in the near future unless there is a regime change. Any deals with the current regime would no longer be accepted or seen as a legitimate deals in a new Iran.

It is essential to bring to everyone's attention that the present regime is killing young people and children! Protesters are shouting that they cannot put up with a regime that kills children! We desperately need to inform the world that this regime is unacceptable.

You've spent a great deal of time filming abroad. How do you stay grounded, fit, and mentally focused while away?

Shohreh: When I'm at home in Los Angeles, I try to swim nearly every day, if not every other day. When I'm on location for work, I turn the place into my own place. I put up some pictures of my daughter and husband and then scatter some of my personal items around to make myself feel at home.

When I'm not on the set, I spend my time outside, walking for hours. I like to learn about the cities I visit on foot, and sometimes I even try to get lost in the city. I always make sure to have the hotel address in my purse, but I take narrow alleys and streets without looking at their names and immerse myself in the place and vibe. Sometimes I'm successful at finding my way back. Sometimes I am not.

One night in Prague, I was lost. I approached some people who had no idea where my hotel was, which was a bit scary because it was after 11:00 PM, and it was my first time in Prague. But I finally found my hotel and went back to my room.

I love walking because it's a great sport and gives me time to explore ideas and think thoroughly about whatever is on my mind. And whenever I do get a chance, I swim. I believe in exercising. I think all actors should do that. It produces endorphins, and it's beneficial to stay alert and active.

Take us back to the day you were nominated for an Academy Award® for House of Sand and Fog when the phone rang, and your life changed forever.

Shohreh: My friend Zaza, and my husband, suggested we stay up until 5:00 AM to hear the nominations being announced on television at 5:30 AM. I told them, "Are you out of your mind? I was told a car would be at my door at 6:00 AM to take me to a hotel if I'm nominated. They will put me up in a hotel suite, and then the media will come into the room and interview me one by one. I want to look good and fresh. Therefore, I need my sleep. I'm not going to stay up."

And so, I went to bed. But my husband and Zaza did stay up and watch the nominations as they were being announced. I was in a deep sleep when my husband came to my bedside and started saying, "Shomai, Shomai, Shomai." Which is Farsi means, "you are". Because I was sleeping so soundly when I heard that voice, I thought it was my favorite character, Gollum, calling me. But then I snapped out of it, woke up, and said, "What are you talking about?" He said, "You've been nominated for an Oscar?" I was speechless. And then I heard all the phones in the house ringing. All I wanted to do was to call my parents in Iran and tell them the news. But as soon as I picked up the phone to dial out, the BBC was on the other end asking me how I was feeling. I said, "It's an outof-body experience. Allow me first to call my parents, and I promise I will call you right after I talk to them."

It was pretty emotional. It's as though your soul is out of your body, watching you from a corner of the room. I felt like a 12-year-old girl jumping from one place to the other. It was an incredible feeling.

What food puts a smile on your face when you think about it?

Shohreh: Lasagna! Its name alone makes me feel hungry when I'm not even hungry. It's delicious. It's easy to eat. I can have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Tell me about your hair care line. Shohreh: I dreamed of creating my shampoo and conditioner ten years ago. So, I started meeting with different people who could create the products. I really wanted to do this because I felt that all the shampoos I'd been using were missing the ingredients I had in my shampoos back in Iran. Ingredients like rosemary, aloe vera, and olive oil. But while meeting with the various people, I learned they couldn't create the shampoo specifically for me. The shampoos were already created, but they would just slap my label and name on the packaging.

My generation called them the "love alleys" We used to walk in those tiny crooked alleys and recite poetry to one another. In the spring, the alleys are filled with yellow jasmine. The scent of it is such that when it gets into your nostrils, you will never forget its scent, and you will always long for it.

That did not work for me. I wanted my shampoo to be created from scratch. Since I couldn't find anybody to do this, I forgot about my dream, stuck to acting, and kept working. Finally, two years ago, I met with the founders of Aniise and told them about my dream of creating my own shampoo and conditioner.

Aniise said they could and would create it for me. I gave them the ingredients I wanted in the products, and they made two samples for me. I tried them both. I fell in love with one of them that had more rosemary in it. So, we decided to start this line and see how people would like it. The first thing I did, was to give it to my sister-in-law, whom I always trust to provide me with the right feedback because she's honest and meticulous.

A week later, she called and said she loved the products. She said she went to work, and her colleagues asked her what she had done to her hair. She told them she was using this new shampoo/conditioner and serum, which made her hair shiny. I was so happy when I got this positive feedback and knew I was on the right track. I'm so proud of these products. They are being made in the US. My haircare contains essential ingredients, including biotin and proteins, to strengthen the roots. They are cruelty-free.

Is there something you long for a place, person, or smell?

Shohreh: Yellow jasmines. I wrote my memoir in 2014 and named it The Alley of Love and Yellow Jasmines

In ancient countries like Iran, Egypt, and Italy, there are plenty of crooked, tiny, narrow alleys where only two people, shoulder to shoulder, can barely walk through simultaneously. In Iran, the generation before mine called these alleys the truce alleys. They said if two people are in a fight, send them to the truce alley. They will have to walk through it and be forced to resolve their problems.

My generation called them the "love alleys" We used to walk in those tiny crooked alleys and recite poetry to one another. In the spring, the alleys are filled with yellow jasmines. The scent of it is such that when it gets into your nostrils, you will never forget its scent, and you will always long for it. So, every time I want to comfort myself, I close my eyes and try to remember the scent of the yellow jasmines, not only on the walls of these alleys of love but also on my grandmother’s prayer rug.

When she opened the rug and started praying, the whole room filled with the scent of yellow jasmines. My grandmother taught me a lot, so whenever I feel lonely, I close my eyes and try to envision those days I spent with her, watching her pray with yellow jasmine at the center of her prayer rug. She also used yellow jasmine as a perfume by putting some in her bra every time we went out!

Your new film Renfield is set to be released in April, but tell me about your character Ella and what you love about her.

Shohreh: Ella is one of the strongest women I have ever portrayed. She is fierce, brave, and doesn't take no for an answer.

What's up next for you professionally?

Shohreh: A huge TV series spinoff of The Batman movie. It's called The Penguin

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Shohreh: would like to urge all the Iranians abroad to participate in the solidarity of all parties abroad and vote as soon as possible.

Special Thank you to:

Shohreh Aghdashloo

Tamara Trione

Dennis Quast

Photography by Meera Fox

On February 4, 2023, Greek Theather remembered Los Angeles's beloved Mountain Lion P-22, who was euthanized on December 2022.

P-22 was more than just a tracking number. He was a famous Mountain Lion who showed Los Angeles residents that we have to show care and respect to the wildlife and taught us that we could live among each other us and the wildlife.

During the celebration of P-22 life, students of the Esperanza Elementary School shared their love for P-22 and how his life journey inspired them to become an architect or scientists and, most importantly, to love wildlife.

P-22 roamed around for his entire of his life. He crossed the busy 101 and 405 freeways and ended up in Griffen park.

Sadly P-22 had a Lonely life as he never could find his matte female. But he surprised the neighborhood of Griffen park often.

He survived Menge, rat poisoning; he indeed used his 9 lives. The famous P-22 lost his battle after he got hit by a car. And when he went to the care of the vet. Due to many other underlying illnesses, they discovered that the most humane thing is to euthanize him. He left a giant paw print in many of Angelina's hearts.

Rep. Adam Schiff, along with three members of Congress, asked U.S Postal Services for a stamp to honor "Hollywood Cat" P-22. "It would be impossible to squeeze everything about the renowned P-22 mountain lion onto a two-inch square postage stamp," said Daily News, but to remember P-22 and how he impacted many of Angele's life is just a small token. Your voice is to make a difference by signing a petition.

9 mountain lions in the past 6 months and 35 in the past decade died to car fatality, said Rep. Ted Lieu

P-22 was a messenger and brought awareness that caring for wildlife is the most crucial matter of our natural world, bringing beauty to our environment and ecosystem.

Rest in peace, P-22. Your memory will always be with us, and we remember your courage and opening a new chapter in the history of crossing wildlife to ensure others are safe and live among us in peace.