That's how actress, writer, comedienne, advocate/activist, and self-professed cat whisperer, to her cat, Beyonce, Maysoon Zayid describes herself.
She does not make a big deal about having cerebral palsy. It's just one of the 99 problems she has.
Her Ted Talk was the most-watched talk of 2014. She has been a columnist. Maysoon political humor was featured on Countdown with Keith Oberman She had a role in Adam Sandler's movie You Don't Mess With The Zohan. She has tapped-danced on Broadway.
Using humor she tries to dispel stereotypes, She believes humor can help heal our broken world. Maysoon believes in equality for all. She believes your only failure is in failing to try. She has toured the world spearing her message, "I am not your inspiration and you can do it. Yes, you can-can."
With all of her success, she still had one dream. Her dream was to appear on her favorite daytime drama General Hospital. In June 2019 that dream became a reality when she was cast as Zahra Amir. Zahra arrived in Port Charles on June 21 to defend cult leader Shiloh in a custody dispute.
I became a fan of Mayson's after seeing her Ted Talk. When I learned she'd been cast on GH I knew I had to get an interview with her. I asked. She said yes. I emailed her some questions. she graciously took the time to answer them.
What was your life like when you were growing up?
I had a very American pie childhood topped with a scoop of the Middle East. I spent my school days in the predominantly Italian Catholic New Jersey town of Cliffside Park. I grew up within walking distance of New York City and saw my first Broadway show by the age of 8. I started watching General Hospital with my three older sisters at the age of five. My parents should have been better at monitoring my TV intake but thankfully they were not. I was the only disabled kid in my class in public school all the way through graduating high school. After graduation, I headed to Arizona State to pursue my dream of being on General Hospital. I majored in theater.
Were you treated any differently because you had CP by your family/or your peers?
I was never bullied. I was never made fun of. My friends, my mom, dad, and sisters all treated me equally. I always wondered if my kindergarten teacher took my friends aside and warned them not to make fun of me. My friends swore that never happened, they were just raised right. I never noticed people looking at me differently in public, but my sisters say they did. I started being treated differently when I started college. Suddenly everyone around me was obsessed with my ability.
My dad 100% dangled a dollar bill in front of me, which is kind of the same thing that my agents do today to get me to move. Yes, you can-can comes from a ShopRite Supermarket commercial. It was a cartoon ad that featured Can-Can girls. So I think that’s where my dad got the second ”can” from. My parents couldn’t afford physical therapy so they sent me to tap class. My walking improved immensely because I learned to tap dance in heels. I also took piano for seven years as occupational therapy for my hands. I tap-danced on Broadway during one of my comedy shows.
Did people try to discourage you from becoming an actress/comedian?
The head of the theater department at Arizona State definitely discouraged me. My parents would have preferred I was a lawyer, doctor, or engineer but they have always supported my career. Comedy-wise, no-one discouraged me because I became a paid comic by my third show. It is rare for artists to make a living so everyone around me was surprised and supportive. My worst experience has been with casting directors. Very few are willing to give me a chance. Of course, Mark Teschner is the exception to that rule.
What's the most frustrating thing for you about having CP?
The most frustrating thing for me about having CP is that I shake all the time and it's exhausting. I would love to have just one day off. I can walk, I can dance, but I can’t stand. I fall right over. So that’s annoying too. Not being able to stand is really challenging as a performer and socially. Finally, I’m sick and tired of having to explain what’s going on with me to people seeing me for the first time. If I choose not to explain it, they start guessing. Is it a stroke? Is she drunk? Is she nervous?
Congratulations on your recurring role of Zarah Amir on General Hospital. What was the first thing that went through your mind when you found out your dream of being on GH was becoming a reality? Zarah’s adversary in court, Diane Miller, How would you describe her? In what ways are Maysoon and Zarah alike? Is there a possibility your role might be expanded into a permanent one? What’s been the most surprising thing about being on GH? If you could write your own GH storyline what would it be?
I still can’t believe it’s real. I remain in shock from the moment when Executive Producer, Frank Valentini told me ’til this very moment. I cried when I got my first script, not because I had so much to memorize but because it was one of the happiest days of my life. Diane Miller is one of my favorite characters in daytime history.
The head of the theater department at Arizona State definitely discouraged me. My parents would have preferred I was a lawyer, doctor, or engineer but they have always supported my career. Comedy-wise, no-one discouraged me because I became a paid comic by my third show. It is rare for artists to make a living so everyone around me was surprised and supportive. My worst experience has been with casting directors. Very few are willing to give me a chance. Of course, Mark Teschner is the exception to that rule.
What's the most frustrating thing for you about having CP?
The most frustrating thing for me about having CP is that I shake all the time and it's exhausting. I would love to have just one day off. I can walk, I can dance, but I can’t stand. I fall right over. So that’s annoying too. Not being able to stand is really challenging as a performer and socially. Finally, I’m sick and tired of having to explain what’s going on with me to people seeing me for the first time. If I choose not to explain it, they start guessing. Is it a stroke? Is she drunk? Is she nervous?
Congratulations on your recurring role of Zarah Amir on General Hospital. What was the first thing that went through your mind when you found out your dream of being on GH was becoming a reality? Zarah’s adversary in court, Diane Miller, How would you describe her? In what ways are Maysoon and Zarah alike? Is there a possibility your role might be expanded into a permanent one? What’s been the most surprising thing about being on GH? If you could write your own GH storyline what would it be?
I still can’t believe it’s real. I remain in shock from the moment when Executive Producer, Frank Valentini told me ’til this very moment. I cried when I got my first script, not because I had so much to memorize but because it was one of the happiest days of my life. Diane Miller is one of my favorite characters in daytime history.
Zarah is funny, independent, smart, sassy, and a great dresser. I love Alexis for a lot of the same reasons. Carolyn Hennesy is a pure joy to work with. She is so sharp and gives amazing advice. Zarah and I both have Cerebral Palsy and we are both Arabs! We both find Sonny irresistibly charming. That is where the similarities end.
You know I can’t answer if my role will be expanded or not.) Soap secrets are safe with me. The most surprising thing is how unbelievably COOL and friendly the entire cast and crew are. I thought it would be like the first day of high school when you’re the new kid. I expected the stars to be mean girls. Everyone was lovely, welcoming, and helpful. It exceeded all of my expectations. Being on set is so much fun. It really is a dream come true and I’ve learned so much. If I could write my own storyline, I would make Zarah Brenda’s long-lost twin. CP occurs more commonly in twins, so it would totally make sense.
You have achieved your dream of being on GH. What is your new dream?
I have a bunch of really exciting things in the works. I am developing a TV series that I am also starring in for TNT called Sanctuary. I have a book that’s being published by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine coming out on Audible in November and I am developing a talk show. No dream will ever exceed the reality of being on General Hospital, but my next big dream is to make sure that kids with disabilities are mainstreamed into the education system. I like to dream big.
Thank you Maysoon for this awesome interview.
Please visit her website https://maysoon.com/
Look for her weekdays on General Hospital on ABC
GH Clip https://www.facebook.com/generalhospital/videos/475632423009287/
,
You have achieved your dream of being on GH. What is your new dream?
I have a bunch of really exciting things in the works. I am developing a TV series that I am also starring in for TNT called Sanctuary. I have a book that’s being published by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine coming out on Audible in November and I am developing a talk show. No dream will ever exceed the reality of being on General Hospital, but my next big dream is to make sure that kids with disabilities are mainstreamed into the education system. I like to dream big.
Thank you Maysoon for this awesome interview.
Please visit her website https://maysoon.com/
Look for her weekdays on General Hospital on ABC
GH Clip https://www.facebook.com/generalhospital/videos/475632423009287/
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