Quotes from Mena Massoud

There's always a wild card or two when you're casting. I'm usually the wild card. In a room of Caucasian guys, a director might be like, 'OK, let's see, like, two guys who aren't. And maybe they'll be the wild card choice.'

I love my parents and we have a terrific relationship. They have been very supportive of my career choice.

I put in my time, I worked hard and I followed my dreams.

I get really quiet when I'm nervous. I don't freak out.

I shocked my parents with a lot of things, whether it was becoming an actor or when I was dating someone outside the Egyptian community or when I moved away from home before getting married.

My first professional gig was on a show called 'Nikita,' and I played Al Qaeda No. 2. At that time I had to take those roles because I just wanted to get my foot in the door.

Ryerson helped me because I was around acting all the time. It was pretty much all I thought about, even if I didn't really get to practice every day; I definitely thought about it. Actually a lot of it was just sitting and watching, especially in my last year, but I think a good actor learns from everything.

Guy Ritchie likes to ground things in realism.

Actions speak louder than words, and the best way to set an example is to just go out and do a good job.

I was told growing up that the arts were just a hobby - that I couldn't do it as a career.

I grew up in a culturally different household.

I went to schools that had a significantly large Caucasian population and I feel very fortunate because I was able to compare that perspective with my family's. It allowed me to create a wider world view on things.

We immigrated when I was 3 1/2 years old, to Toronto. But I'm still very, very close to my culture and - back home in Egypt.

I went to theater school in Toronto for four years and grew up around actors, and things like headshots could cost you from $500 to $1,000. That can be a big deal for a struggling artist.

Even though I'm very fortunate and grateful to have played Aladdin, there were still four, five casting directors who never gave me a shot in Toronto. They didn't give me the time of day. I never got to audition for them.

I think since 'Aladdin' my expectations for things releasing and what they're going to do in my career, I've had to really pull them back.

My wish would be for positive representation and more diversity coming from Hollywood.

I can't compete for roles that require me to be Caucasian or African American, even if those characters really connect with me and intrigue me.

I have two older sisters.

Growing up in a Mediterranean household ruined my tastebuds a little bit because my mom, my sisters, and my aunt were all great cooks, and ever since I went plant-based, I've been missing a little bit of that Mediterranean affection.

Growing up, I didn't see anybody with my skin color or my background. I didn't know it was possible to have a Middle Eastern actor in a lead role.

All I want for my career is I want to work with the best directors and I want to be treated like a Caucasian man would be.

I try to support all the women in my life. So absolutely, Aladdin tries to do that as well, and rightfully - rightfully so.

A lot of the Egyptian community is made up of doctors, pharmacists and engineers. All throughout high school I took sciences, but eventually I chose to pursue what I truly want to do.