We had the good fortune of connecting with Sivan Maya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sivan, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
This is such a great question because my end goal for my career has always been becoming a respected Actress and Showrunner, two things I’m working passionately to achieve! But knowing myself,  after I have achieved my goals, a lot more interest and goals will have peaked my interest from this journey that I will want to achieve, so for now I’m really just focused on my current goal.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Coming from a small town in Sweden, it was very challenging to come all the way to New York City to live as an artist. I had to work very hard to leave my hometown.

My shift started at two a.m.; my shift would end at five a.m. I had to run home, get my sister ready for school, and then go to school myself, to then go straight back to work at five p.m. This was my routine for four years until I got a more stable job. Two years later, I had saved up enough money to go to a acting school in New York.

I think the most important lesson that I have learned so far on this journey is that you really need to take care of you mental and physical health. When I go into what I call my “demon time,” I don’t stop to think, drink, eat or anything. I’m a workaholic because I am so passionate about my dream and what I want out of this life.

I think what sets me apart from others is my resilience and my emphasis on bringing an international vibe to all the characters and projects I work on. I always want my audiences to relate to my work, whether it’s watching me perform or watching a film or tv show I’ve created, no matter where they are in the world.

One thing I want people to know about me and my brand is that all of my art is created out of sense of truth and passion. I want it to change people’s lives just like Grey’s anatomy saved my life. I don’t want my art to be trendy I want it to be legendary –  I want it to live on far passed my death. And I think what sets me apart artistically from others is that I’m all about taking my audience on an emotional ride and leaving my audience with memorable impressions and so far, I believe I’ve done so with my performances and films. I’m always pushing myself to go the next level. My performance or film must always be better than the last and the way I’ve done so in my acting and filmmaking is, I always take the risk. I go to those uncomfortable places we are often scared to go as artist. You are unlocking different sides of your humanity whether it being warm and bubbly to an extreme darkness. You need to go to these places to tell the story if that is what the story requires, and I have attendance to go for those roles. It’s scary because it is truthful and raw, we access parts of ourselves we didn’t know we had. I’m not scared to show all sides of humanity while justifying some of the actions, I divide my audience and I think that’s why people like seeing me perform and will hopefully enjoy watching my upcoming films.

As I mentioned previously, I want my art to change lives just like Grey’s Anatomy did for me, because I went on an emotional journey with the characters from Grey’s. The way Ellen and Sandra were portraying Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in such truthful raw way made me feel like I could relate to what they were going through, to a certain degree it made me feel understood and not alone.

From there on I made the commitment to do the same for people who are struggling and need to feel a connection. My art isn’t just about making entertainment and emotional rides it’s truly about changing a life in any aspect. Whether it be happiness, anger, or sadness I want them to feel something and having that ability to do so as a performer is truly a blessing.

I’m proud of myself for working with Under Armour, Adidas and Ving. But also I’m proud that I have worked so hard that i’m being considered to work with major streaming platforms.  I think my greatest achievement so far is making my own table and not waiting for anyone to give me a seat at a table. I feel like I’m on my way to becoming a successful Actor/showrunner.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: We are hitting Bubby’s for mimosas and brunch. Then we are off to Old city hall for some historic walks. I’ll take them to Los Tacos No 1. Then we will head off to stone street to enjoy culture and history while checking out the local bars. We’ll end the day with dinner at Don Don. Everyday would be as fresh and fun as this. We’d also have to hit 212 Hisae’s, and Broadway show and 6 flags oh and we can’t forget to hit up the igbo bar on 230th.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I want to give a huge thanks to The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute for believing in me. I would love to give a special thanks to all my teachers for training me in this beautiful art form we call Acting. I’m so grateful and appreciative of you all.

There is one more person I would like to thank and that is my best friend. You are my sister, my ride or die, and the person who helped me through the hardest times in my life. You deserve the world, and I wouldn’t be where I am without you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sivanmayaofficial/

Image Credits
Image Credit: Personal photo: Jessica Osber Corn rows photo: Pauline Thoren All pictures with color: Noah Philipose Me with he afro hair: Antraxa Hurtado Me in the yellow jacket: Isabelle Cotney

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