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Interview with GH's Nazanin Boniadi.Wednesday, November 14 2007 |
The lovely Leyla has played a front-burner storyline during the November sweeps Black & White ball and it's high time that we get to know Nazanin better. Here's what we wanted to know:
GTC124 wants to know how the transition was from Night Shift to GH for you?
Nazanin Boniadi: The transition was very smooth because I had become good friends with all the actors on Night Shift and most of us are also on GH too. It's really just one big happy family! A great atmosphere to work in!
Cma211 is curious what you see in the future of Leyla?
Nazanin Boniadi: I have no idea what to expect in Leyla's future. I just take it one day at a time and let the writers surprise me. I know Leyla is determined to succeed in her career and become a doctor some day though -- that's really her primary goal in life, to build a better life for her family.
Ahh, here's a good one! Sahm_loves_H asks the million dollar question:
"How do you like being STUCK in the middle of Robin and Patrick?
Nazanin Boniadi: I love Kimberly and Jason. They are so great to work with, we have a blast on set!
Fireball wants to know how you like to spend your time away from the set?
Nazanin Boniadi: I love reading, if you haven't read The Kite Runner, I HIGHLY recommend it! Definitely read it before the movie comes out this month! I love spending time with friends and family... going to the movies of course! And I work a lot as a human rights activist -- ensuring people know their rights, because you cannot defend what you don't know!
Idy Cass is curious about who you would like to have a storyline with? She
also wants to know if you were a GH prior to getting the job.
Nazanin Boniadi: I really love that GH has such a strong cast, each actor really holds their own and does a great job. Unfortunately, growing up in England, we didn't have General Hospital. I have come to realize that it is such a big part of American pop culture. I mean, everyone I speak to knows who Luke and Laura are! I love that!
Jamimi04 is interested in some backstage scoop. Namely, is Billy Dee
Williams as nice as the character he played?
Nazanin Boniadi: Billy Dee has to be one of the most down-to-earth super stars I've come across. It was such an honor working with him, but also a lot of fun. He is funny and charming.
Luluspencer loves the way you speak! And for the record, she thinks you
should be with the Dark Prince - Nikolas! Care to comment?
Nazanin Boniadi: Thank you! Well, that would be awesome. I'd love to work with Tyler, he's a great guy and a terrific actor! I wouldn't be at all surprised if he wins an Emmy this year.
Midnightfan wants to compliment you on your role in the upcoming film "Charlie Wilson's War." She wants to know more about your role in the movie (with Tom Hanks & Julie Roberts!) She also wants to know how you went from studying biology in college to acting? (Good questions!)
Nazanin Boniadi: Thank you. Working on "Charlie Wilson's War" was a wonderful experience. My part is small -- but opposite Tom Hanks, which was just amazing! And the experience of being directed by Academy Award-winning director Mike Nichols was just a dream come true! Mike was a dream to work with, it was a real honor that he chose me for that role. I play an Afghan refugee, they aged me about 10 years and I had to go through about 4 hours of hair and makeup.
As for my career choice, I always knew I wanted to help people in some way and I thought the logical way would be to become a doctor. My parents also encouraged me to be a doctor because of the job security and career stability. I really wanted to make them proud but once I graduated pre-med I realized that my true calling was to be an actor and that was the only thing that would make me happy. So I found other ways to help people: as an artist I am in a position to communicate to millions of people and I am using that platform to advocate human rights. I am currently on the Advisory Board and the Middle east Ambassador for Artists for Human Rights, a non-profit founded by my friend and Academy Award Nominated actress Anne Archer.
Jessies' Girl wants to know what we all want to know - how to properly pronounce your name! Could you spell it phonetically for us so that we can talk about you correctly (and you know we'll be talking about you as your role in GH gets bigger and bigger!).
Nazanin Boniadi: Sure, that's a great question! My name is pronounced
Naa-za-neen Bon-yaadi. My last name is Persian, but almost sounds Italian.
Ludichrissy would like some insight as to whether your character is a good girl type or does she have ulterior motives?
Nazanin Boniadi: Leyla is mainly good. She really doesn't have any ulterior motives. She knows what she wants and is a hard worker. That being said, everyone makes mistakes now and then, but overall I think she means well.
There you have it Soaps.com fans -- answers to your questions. In the time that has passed since Nazanin was kind enough to talk to us, we now know about Leyla's heroics in dealing with madman Anthony Zacchara. I think we are all starting to see that there's a lot more to nurse Leyla than her beautiful face. It will be our pleasure to watch her character unfold.
Julie Clark Robinson
GH Editor, Soaps.com
