is the kind of woman who redefines what it means to be multifaceted. Actress. Activist. Mother. Storyteller. With roots in Pakistan and a childhood shaped by the quiet beauty of suburban Canada, she’s built a career on breaking molds—on screen and off. Grazia’s International Beauty Editor, Kaniz Ali gets candid with the powerhouse star on purpose, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to live life on your own terms.
Kaniz: Talk to us about your background.
Armeena: I originally hail from Pakistan but grew up in a sleepy town on the outskirts of Toronto, Canada. I have a brother and two sisters. We were relatively sheltered from the realities of the wider world, as any one from suburban Canada will testify. It is a life of green lawns, barbeques, long summer days spent laughing with friends, vivid autumnal hues that silence the senses and limb numbing cold winters that hole you up indoors. It was a quiet and peaceful childhood. We were taught the best values of my parent’s homeland,
Pakistan, together with the principles that makes Canada unique. To this day, I carry these values and principles with me. I was a regular kid but with aspirations to do something extraordinary and positive for the world. I lost my father in 2023 to Cancer so now I take these responsibilities even more seriously; I do not want to let him down. During University, I also got together with Fesl and it was decided then that we would be married. It took us a while but we got there in the end with a private, close knit ceremony. We were blessed with a beautiful baby daughter Amelie Isla in 2022.
Kaniz: What inspired you to get into the world of acting?
Armeena: Growing up, I never planned to be an actress as my Degree was in Business. I am a big believer in fate and destiny.
I believe I was fated to be an actress all along; the signs were there from when I was a young girl. I moved to England for my Degree where I was picked up for modelling in my final year university. My pictures attracted some Filmmakers and the rest is history. My first acting job was in a film ‘Huff! It’s too much.’ It was a crossover film that we shot in London.
Kaniz: What aspects of acting do you love the most?
Armeena: I get to change lives and be different people. I can re-do my whole look, my accent, my nature (good and evil) have multiple complex relationships while in character, be in different countries. My characters can make terrible life mistakes and choices in full view of the world and all of it is perfectly acceptable. I cannot remember how many times I have been married on screen for example. The best part is that I get to leave all of it behind and return to my own life.
Kaniz: Which role do you think you play best?
Armeena: I can play any role or at least attempt to. However, I do think the audience prefers me in positive, good
vibes, girl next-door roles but I do like to experiment as it keeps everything fresh and to avoid being typecast in one particular category.
Kaniz: What has been your most challenging role to date?
Armeena: All my roles have been challenging in their own way. The entertainment world is extremely tough.
I would go as far as to say that it is one of the toughest industries in the world. It requires this thing called patience, a very thick skin and the ability to balance a variety of hats, all to a very high level of skill. We have to be politically astute, expert marketers, sound decision makers, financial forecasters and appropriate role models for our fans. Add to this, in Pakistan, the added responsibility of balancing peoples unreasonable interpretations of religious propriety and all this before you even come to honing your skills in Acting. I am sure I am not the only one in my profession who thinks sometimes, why am I doing this?
Kaniz: How do you handle disgareements with fellow actors.
Armeena: Firstly, I try to only work with professionals so any disagreements are creative and not serious. However, when they do arise then you try to act like adults but creative people can be emotional so having boundaries is important and understanding everybody’s roles is crucial.
Kaniz: How do you maintain your emotional physical and emotional well being while on demanding projects?
Armeena: You cannot maintain either. All you can do is build up reserves of both and then try not to run out of them before the project ends.
Kaniz: How do you maintain work life balance?
Armeena: I am currently on a sabbatical because of my child. I am a full time mother so I cannot tell you what future project work/life balance will look like.
But in the past, I was a workaholic so the balance was poor. Sometimes, I would only be allowed home for a week and then be away for months.
This is something a lot of actors struggle with. In the past, I was a workaholic where I would only be home for a week or so and then back on sets for months. In 2017, for example, I ran out of passport space and took a dizzying 50 flights. However things are different now, I am a full-time mother and taking it slow. I want to be present for my baby daughter as much as possible. I do not know what the future holds but right now Amelie is at the centre of my world.
Kaniz: If Armeena wasn’t an actress what would she be?
Armeena: Service to others is a core value and I always wanted to be a doctor to deliver this. Being an actor gives me a different platform for service and activism. Currently, as I answer I have just received my banning notice from India for advocating peace. But my bigger worry, especially as a mother, is the genocide- taking place in Gaza on which I have spoken continually.
Kaniz: What’s the best advice you would give to someone entering into the world of acting ?
Armeena: Do not get attached to fame. You see fame is a fickle mistress. Today
she is with you; tomorrow she will be with someone else. Don’t harbour any notions of grandeur. Evalute the pros and cons in detail and retain your professionalism at all times.
Finally, remember who you were before you became an actor and maintain your relationships and be grateful to be doing what you are doing, no matter how big or small the role.
Kaniz: Name which 3 makeup products you love the most and why?
Armeena: I believe in skincare more than make-up products. I invest in retinols, sun screen and a heavy moisturiser as I have dry skin. The trick is to keep your skin barrier intact and functioning properly. In the end, it is about consistency, which results in great skin.
Kaniz: What do you like doing in your spare time?
Armeena: Spare time? Since becoming a mother, I am no longer familiar with it. In the past, I have travelled, read books and maintained a healthy social life.
Kaniz: If Armeena could disappear to any country which one would it be?
Armeena: Luckily my station in life has allowed me to choose where to live and I am right where I want to be in England.
In the summer, this country is one of the most beautiful places in the world and yet many people do not take advantage of that. I am worried about the rise of a right-wing government and what that will do to the character of this country and whether, I will be giving this answer in five years time.
Kaniz Ali: What advice would you give to someone who has had a baby and taken a career break?
Armeena: Take it slow and receive all the love that comes with motherhood. It is not an opportunity afforded to all so savour every moment. They are this little only for a second and you do not want to miss all the wonderful firsts. Careers can always wait and be picked up later.
Kaniz: What is your favourite moment of motherhood?
Armeena: It is moment after moment
and it is continuing. Whether it is her destroying my entire make-up collection
or expressing her inner artist via sharpies
on my walls or those cute little hugs. Being Amelie’s mum is a privilege and I hope to be the best mother I can be to my little girl.
Kaniz: What is Armeena’s favourite life motto ?
Armeena: It is actually a prayer that I keep coming back to, it is as follows:
‘God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’
CEO : Zahra Saifullah
Managing Editor: Nashmia Amir Butt
Creative Director: Kaniz Ali
Photography: Javed Mohammed
Outfits: Bibi London
Make Up & Styling: Kaniz Ali
Hair Styling: Ayesha
Hair Colour: Catherine Boden
Location: Colonel Saab, Trafalgar Square, London, UK
Interview: Kaniz Ali
Editorial Associate: Sibgha Batool
