May Calamawy (Instagram) radiates a bright energy, balancing sharp insights with natural ease and kindness. Her journey from a young dreamer in Bahrain to a rising star in Hollywood is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and a love for storytelling. Sitting with her, you sense someone deeply connected to her roots yet keenly carving out her own space in a competitive industry.
Growing up, May Calamawy knew she wanted to act. “It felt like saying I wanted to live on another planet,” she reflects, knowing that her future lay abroad. Born to an Egyptian father and Palestinian mother, she spent much of her childhood navigating cultures, moving between Bahrain, Qatar, and Houston. At just five years old, she shared her dream with a family friend, only to be told it was too competitive. “Looking back, maybe that response fuelled a quiet defiance in me, but it also made me cautious. I learned to exist between the lines—to take up just enough space to feel seen but not too much to draw attention,” she says.
Her passion for acting resurfaced in high school through drama performances. Despite her growing love for the craft, practicality prevailed, and she majored in marketing alongside acting at Emerson College in Boston to appease her family’s concerns. After college, a family tragedy brought her back to the UAE, where she supported her mother through cancer treatment before returning to New York to train at the William Esper Studio.
Calamawy’s journey into leading roles wasn’t without hurdles. Early on, she struggled with confidence in high-stakes environments. “When the pressure is high, I freeze. I stop taking space, and no creative input comes to me. I’ve learned it’s about shifting my mind set—even if there’s pressure, reminding myself it’s just fun.”
Her role as Layla El-Faouly in Moon Knight was a career-defining moment but came with its own set of challenges. Acting alongside seasoned stars like Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, she initially felt out of her depth. “It was intimidating because I didn’t feel like I’d worked my way up traditionally. But I’m learning to stop comparing myself and trust that I belong in those spaces.”
This ability to embrace discomfort has been a significant theme in Calamawy’s career. She believes there is no single formula for growth, as each project brings unique challenges. For her, self-reflection is crucial in overcoming uncertainty. Whenever she feels disconnected from her authentic self, she pauses to identify the root cause of those feelings. This introspective process, she notes, is always evolving, and it shifts depending on the nature of the project she’s working on.
Calamawy also emphasizes the importance of experience when it comes to overcoming self-doubt. With each role, she feels better equipped to step into her power. “Experience teaches you that the stakes aren’t as high as you think. Every project is a chance to learn something new, not just about the craft but about yourself,” she says.
When asked about the genres she’s drawn to, the actress mentions body horror. She’s a fan of films like Raw and The Substance, which blend visceral imagery with profound commentary. While she acknowledges that these films may not appeal to everyone, she appreciates how they evoke strong emotions while conveying powerful messages. She admires their ability to address issues such as aging, societal pressures, and self-worth in memorable ways. For her, the unsettling nature of these films often enhances their ability to communicate important ideas effectively.
For Calamawy, the genre offers a unique way to connect with audiences. “Watching a movie that makes everyone grossed out or deeply affected—it’s something you feel together. But beyond the shock value, the messages they carry about societal norms, like how women are perceived as they age, can stay with you for years.”
Collaboration is one of the cornerstones of the actress’ approach to her craft. Working on Ramy taught her the importance of seeing the bigger picture. Early in her career, she would pour herself into scenes with immense dedication, only to later discover they had been cut during the editing process. This experience taught her a humbling lesson: the story as a whole always takes precedence. For Calamawy, this meant understanding that while it’s crucial to take her role seriously, she also needed to embrace the art of letting go, trusting that every decision serves the larger narrative— “As an actor, it’s easy to focus on your character, but you have to remember the bigger story. The more you trust the process and your collaborators, the more fulfilling the work becomes.”
Her openness to learning extends to her interactions with seasoned actors. Observing how they cultivate a sense of safety for themselves on set has been transformative, she explains. She sees this secure environment as essential for fully inhabiting a character and to be able to take creative risks. While this level of freedom often comes with experience, Calamawy actively works on building it into her process every day, recognizing its importance in achieving authenticity and depth in her performances.
Looking back, Calamawy reflects on how inspiration has played a part in shaping her collaborative spirit. As a child, she was drawn to the adaptable power of Meryl Streep and the effervescent charm of Goldie Hawn. In her twenties, she admired the fearless energy of Hiam Abbass, whom she dreamed of working with. Closer to home, she found motivation and encouragement from her friend actor Dina Shihabi, whose resilience and passion left a lasting impression on her.
As one of the few Arab actors navigating the world of Hollywood, May Calamawy recognizes the weight of her position but approaches it all with a grounded perspective. While she takes immense pride in her heritage and the representation she brings to the screen, particularly as the first Egyptian superhero – Scarlet Scarab – in Moon Knight, she is clear-eyed about the complexities of being viewed as a symbol. For Calamawy, the idea of representing an entire community is an impossible task. Her focus remains on doing work that resonates personally and universally, rather than trying to encapsulate the breadth of Arab experiences through a single lens.
This perspective allows her to sidestep the often reductive expectations placed on actors from underrepresented backgrounds. Instead, she channels her energy into her craft, trusting that authenticity in her performances will pave the way for deeper, more meaningful representation. “I love being Arab, and I’m proud of the representation I bring,” she explains. But she resists the pressure to define or represent everyone’s experiences, emphasizing that no one individual can carry that weight alone.
May Calamawy also finds inspiration in the growing wave of Middle Eastern and North African creators breaking through in the global entertainment industry. There’s a palpable shift happening, she observes, as more authentic and daring stories from the region gain recognition. She believes that audiences are hungry for nuanced perspectives, and that this hunger is creating space for Middle Eastern voices to shine. These emerging stories, often rooted in cultural specificity yet universal in their themes, are starting to redefine the global narrative around the region.
The actress’ advice to aspiring creatives is simple: keep creating. She understands the challenges of breaking into a competitive industry, especially for those from underrepresented backgrounds. Instead of waiting for opportunities, she urges creators to take the initiative—write scripts, film ideas on your phone, and collaborate with people who inspire you. The process, she emphasizes, is what helps you grow.
It’s not just about creating, but also refining, she explains. Editing and revisiting work are as important as the initial idea. Each attempt, no matter how small, builds your skills and sharpens your voice. She believes creativity thrives through consistent effort, and setbacks are simply chances to start fresh.
Her advice reflects her own journey: resilience, resourcefulness, and a commitment to the craft. By focusing on the act of creating and improving, aspiring storytellers can turn obstacles into opportunities and find fulfilment in the process.
Looking ahead, Calamawy is brimming with ideas for her own projects. While she hasn’t taken the leap into writing or directing yet, she envisions stories with strong messages told through lighter, sometimes absurd, tones. “That’s very me—tackling heavy topics in ways that feel accessible and human,” she says.
Her next role, in The Actor by Duke Johnson, promises to showcase her range further, but she remains wedded to her approach. “This industry can be tough, but it’s also an incredible privilege. My focus is on staying present, removing unnecessary expectations, and enjoying this journey. That’s where the real magic happens.”
May Calamawy’s journey isn’t just a testament to her talent—it’s a reminder of the power of persistence, self-reflection, and the courage to take up space in a world that often tells you to shrink.
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