Biography
Date of Birth
23 December 1985, Tirana, Albania
Birth Name
Masiela Lusha
Nickname
Mas
Beauty
Ella
Height
5' 5½" (1.66 m)
Mini Biography
European-born actress/writer Masiela Lusha portrayed "Carmen Lopez" for five seasons as George Lopez's rebellious and passionate daughter on the syndicated ABC series, George Lopez (2002). She was born on October 23, 1985 to parents Max and Daniela. Raised in Tirana, Albania; Budapest, Hungary; and Vienna, Austria, Masiela settled in Michigan at the age of seven; English is her fourth language. Her acting talents span well into films, voice-overs, print work with Ben Affleck and, of course, television. Among other roles, Masiela portrayed the voice of "Nina", the lovable and energetic best friend on the popular animated PBS series, Clifford's Puppy Days (2003). Film work include "My Father's Eulogy", a biographical drama in which she portrayed "Lisa", the reflective lead who reminisces on her experiences with her father; Sony Picture's Blood: The Last Vampire (2009), where she portrayed a demon vampire, Pathe's Time of the Comet (2008), in which she starred as "Saint Agnes", and Muertas (2007), in which she plays the determined and sensitive lead, "Aracelli". Masiela has been named "The Youngest Author in the World" to publish a book in two languages. She designed the cover herself at the age of twelve, and was also named as one of "The Best Top Ten Talented Poets for North America", for her first book "Inner Thoughts." She views writing as an expression of herself where she can "reach into humanity", and her second book of poetry "Drinking the Moon" was recently released in print this summer by Dorrance Publishing. Masiela's writing also includes screenplays, short stories, and her first completed novel, The Besa. Masiela founded Illuminary Pictures at the age of 23, and has since wrapped two films under the company name. Illuminary Pictures has a full slate of diverse film and television projects in various stages of production. Three important aspects of Masiela's life are 1736 Family Crisis Center based in Los Angeles, UNICEF, and her own 501(c)3 Children of the World Foundation. For Children of the World, she is starting close to home in southern California where she donated ten acres of land for the cause. Other chapters will develop across the United States and eventually expand in other parts of the world. Masiela graduated from high school at 15, and was accepted as a junior to UCLA at the age of eighteen, majoring in English. Before becoming an actor, she was named by Teen Magazine as one of five to "Most Likely to Succeed". After arriving in Michigan, Masiela first gained attention by modeling. She was discovered among 600 aspiring actors by a Los Angeles based talent agent, and shortly there after was one of three invited to Hollywood at the age of thirteen. She loves honing her craft in front of the camera and exploring different characters, and continues to pave her path to success as an actress and author.
Trivia
Her name is a combination of both her parents' names.
Often thought to be Hispanic but is not. She was born in Tirana, capital city of Albania, a small mountainous nation on the Balkan Peninsula of southeastern Europe, surrounded by Italy, Montenegro, Republic of Kosovo, Macedonia and Greece.
National spokesperson for ABC's Great American Bake Sale.
Voted by "Teen" Magazine as "Most Likely to Succeed.".
Accepted as a Junior at UCLA at the age of 18.
Graduated from high school two years early, at the age of 16.
Captain of her school's dance team.
Fluent in four languages: English, German, Albanian and Hungarian.
The youngest author in the world to publish a book in two languages.
Began dancing at the age of seven.
In June 2013 she became engaged to financier Ramzi Habibi.
Has a son, Landon (born February 2018) with husband Ramzi Habibi.
Quotes
Staying busy, and doing what you love to do, is the greatest blessing.
I find time to write the way kids find time to ride their bikes.
It is wonderful to sense an overall community making up The Tolucan Times. As an actress and a girl, I can relate to the stories because they hit close to home, both professionally and emotionally. Thank you for such and in-depth look at our society and beyond.
Many countries had a hand in raising me. I am the product of many contradicting philosophies and cultures . . . My entire universe is comprised of these foreign traditions. If any one of these experiences are to be ignored, I wouldn't be the same.
If I am to contribute only one thing of myself, it would be compassion.
I feel sexiest wearing a light perfume . . . and heels.
I don't care for loud noises . . . especially yelling. Fiery temperaments don't inspire me.
I often feel like a pretender when wearing makeup. The most beautiful features in a woman are her character and her experiences. Why hide that?
Although I was cautioned against reading too many scripts while on set, my curiosity for Time of the Comet (2008) swept me into a whole new story of purity and betrayal, of the ultimate sacrifice for love, and the cry for war and death. It was a journey I lived through in text, and hoped to recapture on set.
[in the "Tolucan Times", June 2008] As actors, we dig so deep into our senses, our country's borders and cultures blur into one pot of emotion, and we perform above the complexities of language and formality.
[about Blood: The Last Vampire (2009)] [Corey Yuen] taught me how to hold a Kendu sword and swing it properly. Our steps were described to us in Chinese, with a translator by his side. I was fortunate to have had some previous fencing training a couple of years back, so the footwork felt natural, but I have to admit, I flailed wildly rather than swinging purposefully at first.
In Buenos Aires, the entire city felt as if it was dipped in good, golden karma. There was such peace radiating from the people and atmosphere that I could have lounged outside or walked down the streets all day and evening.
As an actress, if you find inspiration through my work, then my job is complete.
The acting profession teaches us many things. One lesson I will keep in my heart, one which has built my worth in this industry, is the idea that we can become anyone, and everyone. With the right power and confidence, a whim can transform into a talent, and sometimes even a virtue.
We're so lucky to live in a tiny universal community where a foreign country is only a click away.
It's offering due respect to the country one is in by making the effort to learn and observe a new culture and language so unique, yet so similar in sentiment.
I wasn't raised with any one particular religion. However, I'm interested in all beliefs as I view them to be the foundations of societies. I was fortunate enough to have explored many through friends and experiences and came to the conclusion that religion serves as a pedestal for art, charity and beauty in all things.
My all-time favorite dessert is chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate cake comes in at a very close second.
I look forward to raising a family and I hope to reach this goal before my 30s. I love children, and would love to nurture any way that I can.
Peer deep inside yourself, recall all your passions and dreams, and lay out your careers in front of you. The hardest choice is often the best and most spiritually fulfilling. Whichever it may be.
Any great artist can recall a moment in their life when they turned away from conventional comforts to pursue a life in the most unstable industry known to our society and beyond.
A child's power lies in his future.
It's because of what my fans say that inspires me to continue reaching for the stars . . . I do it because my dream is to inspire each of them to reach with me.
Soft music in general reminds me of Barnes and Noble, when I used to spend entire days with my little honey water, finding 20 or so books and flipping through, mesmerized by all the conversations I could have with the writers just in their chapters alone.
The greatest reward above all Hollywood glitter is hearing the individual tune of my fans' hearts, and understanding how my work can affect each one personally. I find my passion for the film industry fueled more by their words than any intangible fulfillment of fame.
Yes, I still dance. It's my escape.
Aside from my own work, I find writers to be divine. To transport intelligence from one character to another is like having a grasp on every corner of humanity. To be a conduit of so many facets of philosophies is awe inspiring . Writers in my eyes are demigods.
I left Tirana when I was five years old. My mother and I shared one shadow as we explored other corners of Europe together. She was my world. A tear from her felt like an earthquake. One smile and I could move mountains.
Carmen's experiences were so familiar to me as a girl that I often overlooked the fact that she was Hispanic. There's a raw naivety, untamed enthusiasm to her character that any teenager, including me, could relate to. Her being Hispanic was beautiful in its own light, but the value of Carmen on the show weighed more in her every day experiences as a young adult trying to find her voice.
I have an affinity for poetry because it is the finest strum of music to my ear. The way one can weave the words into a symphony of moods and notes can move a person to tears.
In my opinion, the idea of God, above all else, is created to nurture the spirit. When the child prays for the dying parent, reflecting on his love and devotion, then the prayers will help lift him above the fears. I believe religion is most effective when used among the mass as a central gravity of morality; a support system. Although I don't follow one specific religion, I do believe in moral strength and inspiration.
I was fortunate to have experienced many religions throughout my life, and each experience has shaped me. I consider myself a very spiritual person as a result. There's so much energy around us all, so many answers available if only we have the courage to hear our own whispers.
Hearing stories on how certain episodes changed someone's views, or offered condolence made me realize how truly noble the acting profession can be, how truly and utterly selfless.
Throughout the years working on the George Lopez (2002) show, Carmen was a liberating escape for me. I was able to experience moments of high school, lessons with boys, and a rebellious streak that I have yet to experience as Masiela. I can safely say I have lived a colorful life, and I have Carmen to thank.
In "Muertas," I learned about my mother. Araceli's carnal hunger for a better life was something I recognized from listening to my mother's stories of fleeing a communist country for America. In a sense, I was portraying her, right down to her facial expressions. This film was my tribute to my mother's integrity and strength.
On every film, whether it be the location or the material, I learn something--oftentimes about myself. Sometimes the conflict of the character allows me to reflect on my own philosophies on life and love.
America Ferrera and I had two scenes together, both in Spanish. She has this energy about her--this passion for filmmaking. I adored working with her.
By now, Araceli was a part of me, and to be on American soil while watching the unsettled current of a skinny river flowing between Juarez and Araceli's dream, stirred me to realize how heartbreaking it must be for so many families on the other side. They can almost physically touch their dream, but often die trying, spiritually and physically.
As actors, we always find ourselves in our characters--it's the conduit of life that which is written on the page.
I have an affinity for passionate, vulnerable yet powerful characters that project an air of self-sacrifice and humility.
The character I play, Araceli, also understands that to dream is to defy, and to defy is to be captured and killed. Araceli's bravery is about her willingness to take that risk.
I would like to see from women in this industry what I have had the privilege of witnessing for a decade now. Strength, conviction, and unapologetic sensitivity for the healing of souls.
The elements I believe everyone looks for are talent and heart. It's intangible, but the force of the written word has the power to carry our emotions. The written journey the story takes plays your heart stings like a puppet.
I dream of being the glue to bind audiences around the world, I dream of making a difference in the way people view this world. And this complements the reason for my acting and writing as well. All three elements of storytelling carry one vital philosophy--to offer universal insight, and many instances, hope and therapy to those who absolutely need it.
[about writing and acting] The beauty of these two professions in particular is that they complement each other seamlessly. Since I was a very young girl, I loved people, I adored their intricate behavior in society, their emotions, their instinct, their fire. I was enthralled by what was not being said, by the dichotomy of their emotions. As an actress and as a writer, I've been offered the privilege to study people for the rest of my life.
The core reason I had written books is to offer children a tool in accomplishing their own dreams. I would like to show them what is possible in this world, and what happiness is available to them if they have the courage to look.
I write to escape, to confront and to tame.
It came about like a typical audition where the actress doesn't know a soul in the room, and exposes her heart and vulnerability in hopes to win a handful of strangers' affection.
I was an unassuming, soft-spoken, self-possessed skinny little girl with absolutely no tincture of rebellion in my make-up.
Some mothers sing lullabies to their young children, my mother read me poetry; so I associate my strongest and most insistent feelings on words lyrically organized on a page.
The Albanian culture is elusive to me. I think this has to do with leaving the country at such an early age, as well as the country rediscovering her roots after many decades of repression. However, there is a condensed softness about the Albanian people, and I've witnessed examples of their hospitality that have been famously engraved in history for centuries.
The moment we feel we have learned everything this world has to offer, we relinquish all true self respect and purpose in life.
