Autumn cover story: Mayan El Sayed is multifaceted

25-year-old Mayan El Sayed is Egypt’s rising star, so it only makes sense that the ambitious Scorpio is gracing the cover of The Cinema Issue. The actress has been on screen with some of the Middle East’s biggest celebrities and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after names to work with from directors and producers alike. We spoke to the oh-so-successful Gen Z powerhouse on her meteoric journey, how she’s navigating her ’20s, and why it’s time for Hollywood to take some notes from Egyptian mosalsalaat. IYKYK.

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Read our cover story with Mayan El Sayed below

Cosmo ME: First and foremost, mabrook! You’ve just won Favourite Actress at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2023, can you tell us a little bit about how that achievement felt?

Mayan: That was amazing. When I heard that I was nominated for that award it really, really made me so happy. I told my friends, family, and my fans to vote for me and they did – I won because of them. Of course, it’s because of the work that I put in and the dedication that I have, but it’s also because of their love and their support. So it felt amazing to be awarded in Abu Dhabi.

Classic Mega Crush Clog in Chai: Crocs

Charms: Jibbitz

Top: Shushu/Tong @Fabric of Society

Trousers: Elisabetta Franchi

Rings: Bea Bongiasca

Bracelets: Tiffany & Co

Earrings: Swarovski

Sunglasses: Guess

Cosmo ME: What would you say your first memory of TV and cinema was that catapulted you into this career?

Mayan: I remember sitting in bed in front of the TV and watching a play. It starred Mona Zaki and Ahmad El Saka, and it’s called Keda Okay. I fell in love with Mona Zaki in that play. I instantly felt like I wanted to be in her shoes and I wanted to act like her. I even started wearing my mother’s clothes, putting on her makeup, and I would sit family down, so they’d be the audience for my shows. My passion for acting started then.

Top: Shushu/Tong at Fabric of Society

Rings: Bea Bongiasca

Bracelets: Tiffany & Co

Cosmo ME: How was your experience in one of your first roles in 2017 for The Godfather?

Mayan: I was probably 18 years old, it was the second time I was acting professionally, but it felt huge because it was a big cast and well-known actors were on that show. Even the show I acted on right after The Godfather – it was called Zel el Raees – and it was life-changing for me because it was the first time that I would be vulnerable on TV and in front of other people, in front of strangers, in front of crew and cast. It felt special and healing because I had lost a friend at that time, so I took that experience with me, and I got to let it all out.

After that show ended, I felt like acting could be really healing, not just for the audience but also for me. The fact that I could take my life experiences and project them and use them. It felt so powerful at that time. Until now I do that and that’s why I feel this connection with the camera, with the audience, with the characters that I portrayed. It’s so, so special.

Cosmo ME: It almost sounds like acting saved you in a way…

Mayan: I think it saved me and invented me in some way. Acting made me more confident, brave, more artistic, emotional, and vulnerable. Stronger, even.

Top: Jacquemus at The Outnet

Skirt: Maison Margiela

Shoes: Mach & Mach

Socks: H&M

Earrings: Swarovski

Rings: Bea Bongiasca

Hair Bow: Stylists own

Cosmo ME: That must be difficult because you’re able to play so many different roles, but you also don’t want it to affect your true personality…

Mayan: After I finish any role, I kind of have to let it all out and cleanse myself of it. I start to forget about it because if it stays with me longer, it’s going to become a part of who I am and I don’t want that, I also want to keep who I am alive.

This job makes you grow up very fast because you get to work with older people, like a lot of experienced actors on set. I want to keep that young energy inside as well. I’m proud of myself for being able to keep a balance. I keep my personal life very alive with my friends and family. I’d like to say I’m very grounded because of them. Then on set, I listen to the director, stay collaborative, and make sure I go on time. I’m dedicated. But I still have both worlds. It really means a lot to me that I get to keep that.

Jacket: Mango

Rings left: Bea Bongiasca

Ring right: Swarovski

Cosmo ME: If we’re looking back at how iconic Egyptian mosalsalaat were, the golden age of cinema, were there any movies or actors that truly inspired you?

Mayan: It’s a bit of a cliché answer because I’ve said it hundreds of times, but I love Soheir Zaki – I just adore her. She was such a good actress and had this beautiful charisma that really mesmerised the world. She really shaped my love for the cinema for the arts. I also love Faten Hamama, and Rushdy Abaza. Those black and white movies had a different dialogue, and, of course, it was different from Egyptian cinema now, but it’s good to remember the old times and try to find connections with what we’re going through now.

Cosmo ME: If you could have dinner with any of the late actors from the golden age of cinema, who would it be?

Mayan: Actually, I’d love to have dinner with Viola Davis. I want to ask her so many questions and learn from her about how she became this amazing actress and incredible talent.

Coat: Boss

Cosmo ME: Speaking of learning – how do you think your acting skills and style have developed over the last five years?

Mayan: I think as humans we’re always changing and evolving, and your talents also grow in the same way. I started off as a talented child, but I didn’t know how to actually act in front of the camera. My first job was probably really bad. But then I started studying theater at university, which really helped me understand different techniques. I learned how to use the Meissner Technique and read up on Stanislavski. That obviously helped a lot. Now, I don’t get scared easily, I love challenging roles. They give me this excitement to work harder, study, and be very precise.

Cosmo ME: You’re so interested in learning and taking all these challenges, but how do you handle the stress of stardom, especially at 25?

Mayan: Actually, it’s been a big topic for me these past couple of years. Because when I was younger, I really wanted to be famous and had this dream of people asking for my picture on the street. But two years ago, it hit me that fame can really be negative for your mental health as well. When you’re a public figure people have the authority to say their opinions about you. On social media, it’s even worse because you don’t see them, you don’t know them, and they’re telling you something about yourself. They could be completely wrong, or right, and it affects you so deeply. It did, and it pushed me to go through therapy. Ever since then, I’ve been speaking openly about therapy and how important it is for everyone.

Classic Mega Crush Clog in Chai: Crocs

Charms: Jibbitz

Top: Shushu/Tong @Fabric of Society

Trousers: Elisabetta Franchi

Rings: Bea Bongiasca

Bracelets: Tiffany & Co

Earrings: Swarovski

Sunglasses: Guess

On social media you feel like you need the likes, the followers, and the validation – it affects the way you love yourself and your self-esteem. Now I understand that self-love and self-validation must come from within, not from others. I understood that because of fame.

Classic Crush Clog in Blue Calcite: Crocs

Charms: Jibbitz

Denim jacket & skirt: Nemozena

Socks: H&M

Earrings: Mayan’s own

Cosmo ME: You have over five million followers on Instagram alone – how do you think your social media presence influences you as an actor in the entertainment industry?

Mayan: When I first started acting, I thought social media should be a big part of what I’m doing. I used to put everything and anything on it. It was out of connection and excitement, and then I realised this past year that it was affecting my roles. It was making me less believable as an actress because your fans know you so well. Whatever character you’re portraying, it’s so hard to believe in that because you’re online 24/7. Recently I started decreasing my social media time and performance. I think it was a good strategy for me. Now I kind of pick and choose what I should post, it has to be more meaningful for me, my job, and the positivity that I want to send to the world.

Top: Shushu/Tong at Fabric of Society

Rings: Bea Bongiasca

Bracelets: Tiffany & Co

Earrings: Swarovski

Cosmo ME: I get it. You’re presenting yourself to the world in your own way when you’re not on-screen. Do you think that more of the Western world should be watching Egyptian cinema?

Mayan: Yes! We watch them. I think they’re held up with this idea that the Middle East is strict as if we’re not modernised and evolving. Some people think that Egypt is a desert and that our transportation is by camels. That’s crazy. We have a lot to say through Egyptian cinema as well, and we’ve got so many amazing films out right now. It almost makes me emotional how Egyptian cinema is getting even better and bigger. The topics we touch on are huge, and I think we could even collaborate with the West – that could be amazing.

Cosmo ME: As a young Egyptian actress what do you hope and wish to see in the industry in the next five years?

Mayan: Big productions. More films and movies. I would love to see sensitive topics being portrayed that could really affect Egyptian and Middle Eastern audiences in general. I want to see younger directors and producers, as well as collaboration between new young actors and big iconic stars.

Blazer: Giuseppe Di Morabito at That Concept Store

Earrings: Magda Butrym

Cosmo ME: Completely agree! Now, for our Gen Z Cosmo readers, we want to know what challenges you’ve faced and overcome whilst navigating your 20s…

Mayan: I faced a lot of cyber-bullying and bullying in general, it really affected me. Last year was dark for me, I thought I would never pull through, or that I should give up on my dream because my mental health was more important. But then when I went through therapy, I was told that if you overcome this, you will be so much stronger, and you’ll be able to face it with bravery. It’ll make you a better person. I tried to get out of that hole, and I did. It was the most amazing thing that I’ve ever done because now I have so much love and appreciation for myself. Whatever is thrown at me, give it to me.

It’s giving me more faith, and inspiration for art and music. I would say whatever you’re feeling right now that you feel like you can’t overcome, just wait, and give it time. You’ll see, it’s going to be life-changing.