Nazanin Boniadi Quotes

Nazanin Boniadi

Profession : Actress

Birth : May 22, 1980

I was born in Iran, which has a predominantly Muslim population, and I have relatives who are devout Muslims, so I know what it means to be judged based on your appearance and what you're wearing. But your ethnicity and your clothing do not define who you are.

Nazanin Boniadi

Belgian chocolate is my weakness. I like over 72 percent cacao, which shows you how much of a dark chocolate snob I am.

Nazanin Boniadi

We all know in our hearts that forgiveness is the right thing; it's just a matter of being inspired to reach that place.

Nazanin Boniadi

As an actress, I value and rely on peaceful self-expression, not only in my daily life, but also in my professional work. This is particularly true, as my commitment to the promotion of human rights is an integral part of my calling as an artist.

Nazanin Boniadi

It's tougher for women than men in Hollywood, period, if you ask me. As with most professions, women have generally not found equality with men when it comes to income and influence. There aren't as many female directors, producers, and writers, which translates to fewer complex roles for women.

Nazanin Boniadi

It's nice to see different dimensions of a character. A love interest and family life are always, I think, important in creating layers and textures.

Nazanin Boniadi

The way we remember people, even their beauty is all so subjective and a matter of perspective.

Nazanin Boniadi

I retweet Amnesty International tweets a lot. It isn't just, 'This person is incarcerated unjustly.' It's also, 'This person was just released.' Those are the victories we work toward, so if we don't inform people of the victories, it does become doom and gloom.

Nazanin Boniadi

Old-school Dire Straits songs are on heavy rotation: 'So Far Away,' 'Romeo and Juliet' and of course 'Sultans of Swing.'

Nazanin Boniadi

For me personally, I'm an activist, so I see a lot of turmoil and heartache in the world and tragedy.

Nazanin Boniadi

I do think faith is important when it introduces positivity into your life and you see it with love in your heart because there's so many people who unfortunately use faith for detrimental things or to justify detrimental actions.

Nazanin Boniadi

I feel really connected to antiquity for some reason.

Nazanin Boniadi

How often do we see a Muslim woman who is intelligent and independent, and has a voice of her own and is career-driven, on American TV?

Nazanin Boniadi

I was always fascinated with science, and being Persian, it's instilled in us at a young age to follow something very academic in our career.

Nazanin Boniadi

I was very successful, and I graduated with honors. And then I called my dad, who still lives in London, and I said, 'Dad, thanks for college, but I'm going to go act now.' It didn't go over very well.

Nazanin Boniadi

It's bizarre to be given an award for being empathetic and kind, which is what we all should be.

Nazanin Boniadi

I always say, as an actress, I get to portray the human condition, but as an activist, I get to change the human condition.

Nazanin Boniadi

First of all, I'm Middle Eastern; I'm Iranian, so to be playing a leading role in a big Hollywood movie, I think, is possibly one of the first times.

Nazanin Boniadi

Frances Conroy - brilliant, brilliant actress.

Nazanin Boniadi

In my role as a spokesperson for Amnesty International U.S.A. and as a supporter of various charitable causes including Unlock Iran, a campaign to release prisoners of conscience in Iran, I have never been faced with the threat of intimidation or arrest.

Nazanin Boniadi