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Masiela Lusha

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Masiela Lusha
Lusha in 2014
Born (1985-10-23) October 23, 1985 (age 39)
Tirana, PSR Albania
NationalityAmerican
Alma materGlendale Community College (AA)
University of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • poet
Years active1998–present
Notable workDrinking the Moon
The Besa
Inner Thoughts
Spouse
Ramzi Habibi
​
(m. 2013)​
Children2
Awards2 Young Artist Awards for Leading Young Actress in a Comedy and Drama
Signature

Masiela Lusha (/ˌmɑːsiˈɛlə ˈluːʃə/; born October 23, 1985[1]) is an Albanian-born American actress and author. She gained recognition for playing Carmen Lopez on the globally syndicated ABC sitcom George Lopez, a role that earned her two consecutive Young Artist Awards for Leading Young Actress in a Comedy or Drama. After transitioning into film, she starred in Sony Pictures’ Blood: The Last Vampire. Lusha also starred alongside David Hasselhoff and Ian Ziering in SyFy's television movie Sharknado: The 4th Awakens.[2]

Lusha made her acting debut in Summoning in 2001. That same year, she made her television debut in the Disney Channel series, Lizzie McGuire. Lusha appeared as a main cast member in Clifford's Puppy Days (2003-2005) for PBS, and also appeared in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Anger Management. Lusha starred in movies comprising a variety of genres, including Cherry Bomb (2004), My Father's Eulogy (2007), Muertas (2007), Time of the Comet (2008), Ballad of Broken Angels (2009), Kill Katie Malone (2010), Dragonfyre (2013), The Architect (2014), Of Silence (2014), Fatal Instinct (2014), and Branded (2016).

In 2010, Lusha was appointed ambassador of Prince Harry's charity Sentebale.[3][4] In 2014, Lusha was made the World Assembly of Youth's goodwill ambassador. Lusha is an advocate for UN Women.[5][6]

Lusha has written five books of poetry, Inner Thoughts, Drinking the Moon, Amore Celeste, The Call, The Living Air; a novel, The Besa; and two children's books.[7] Lusha has written poetry and translated it into Albanian.[8] She has translated poems and prayers by Mother Teresa.[8][9]

Early life and education

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Lusha was born in Tirana, Albania,[7][10] and is the only child of Max and Daniela Lusha. Her mother was a magazine publisher.[11] In 1990, Lusha and her family left Albania as refugees.[12] Upon leaving Albania, Lusha moved to Budapest, Hungary, and Vienna, Austria. In an interview in 2016, Lusha credits her early memories as a refugee for her lifelong humanitarian efforts.[13]

Childhood and adolescence in America

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At the age of seven, Lusha moved to Michigan where she and her mother reunited with her great uncle Dr. Joseph H. Alli. Dr. Alli was a colonel in the army during World War 2, and chief of laboratories for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.[6][14] English was Lusha's fourth language, after Albanian, Hungarian, and German.[4] At the age of twelve, Lusha began a modeling career in Michigan. After a few months of professional modeling and acting in local theater plays, she was discovered by a Hollywood talent agent who held an open call in Detroit, Michigan. That following year, while acting in Los Angeles, Lusha became a published author with her first book of poetry, Inner Thoughts.[11]

Literary career

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Lusha signing copies of her book, in October 2010.

Early recognition (1997–2004)

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As a poet, Lusha was recognized as one of the Top Ten Talented Poets of North America for her published work, and also received the public recognition of former President Bill Clinton.[15] Upon graduating high school, Lusha had published two collections of poetry.[16] As of 2010, Lusha has since written seven books.[17]

Drinking the Moon, The Living Air, a novel and children's books (2005–present)

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From 2005 to 2010, Lusha wrote four poetry books.[18] While filming George Lopez, Lusha published her second book, Drinking the Moon [19] In 2010, Lusha wrote Boopity Boop Writes Her First Poem. Lusha chose poetry as the subject matter for her children's book because, "While some mothers sing lullabies to their children, my mother read me poetry," she said. "And to this day, I associate my strongest and most insistent feelings with words lyrically organized on a page."[20] In 2016, Lusha released her fourth book of poetry, The Living Air.[6]

In an interview, Lusha revealed that she completed her novel, The Besa, in one month and 4 days, writing from 6 am until 8 pm every day while forgetting to eat and being very high. For her writing, Lusha also says, "In any art form, we have a responsibility to infuse a little color, compassion, movement into our society. Art cannot live in a void. It must impact, animate a little tug and pull in our world to stay alive and relevant."[6]

Acting career

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Career beginnings and early roles (1997–1999)

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Lusha launched her career as a model and theater actress in Michigan. While residing in her hometown, Lusha's first theatrical role was a nonspeaking, background character in her school's production of Up and Away.[21] Upon entering the drama department, Lusha then portrayed the role of Cinderella in the play, The Last Dress Rehearsal and Belle in Beauty and the Beast. She also portrayed an Oompa Loompa and a Tap-Dancing Box in the play, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[11] Soon after moving to California, Lusha was selected as the principle fashion model in a multinational Back-to-School J. C. Penney television campaign which aired in America and South America, and was cast in the Alanis Morissette music video "Hands Clean".[22][23]

Hollywood: George Lopez and breakthrough (2000–2007)

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Then in 2000, it was Lusha's television debut with a guest appearance on the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire as the character Olivia in the episode "Last Year's Model". Lusha made her film debut in the 2000 film A Father's Love as Lisa, the lead who reminisces on her experiences with her father.

In 2001, she was picked to play Carmen Lopez on the newly developed ABC sitcom George Lopez. The show was executive produced by Sandra Bullock and Bruce Helford.[24][25] After completing its 120th episode, the show reached global syndication and established Lusha as a TV veteran by the age of 20.[26] That following year, the George Lopez show won an Emmy and was established as the second-longest-running sitcom in television history to star a Hispanic lead, after I Love Lucy. In 2007, Lusha's character Carmen was written off the show due to "creative differences".[27]

Lusha won two consecutive Young Artist Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Comedy and Drama for her portrayal as Carmen.[28] While working on George Lopez, Lusha also voiced the role of Nina for four years on the PBS series Clifford's Puppy Days.[29] It has been reported that portraying the character of Nina introduced Lusha to children's entertainment, inspiring her to write a children's book in 2009.

International film roles and global recognition (2008–present)

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Lusha photographed at Warner Brothers Studios.

In December 2009, Lusha joined the original cast of George Lopez for a televised reunion on Lopez Tonight. During the live reunion taping, when asked about her experiences on the show, Lusha said: "it is the show that keeps giving. Every year it offers something to society and it offered something to each and every one of us. It brought us all together for a lifetime".[30]

Lusha has since appeared as Mira on an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.[8] At the suggestion of George Clooney, Lusha has also appeared in the Spanish language film Muertas (2008) in which she portrayed the main character Aracelli.[9][21][31]

Lusha with poet laureate Ismail Kadare during a press conference for the film Time of the Comet

Lusha also starred as Saint Agnes in the Albanian production of Time of the Comet (2008) based on the novel A Difficult Year by Ismail Kadare. Throughout the film, Lusha's dialogue was in a specific Albanian dialect. In the film, Lusha plays a catholic nun who falls in love with a Muslim rebel.[21]

Lusha portrayed the role of Sharon, the sword-wielding, vampire in disguise, in the Sony Pictures remake of the cult classic Blood: The Last Vampire alongside Jun Ji-hyun. The film was co-produced by French company Pathé and Hong Kong company Edko, the production company behind Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. In 2009, the film premiered in Japan and was released internationally by Sony Pictures.[7]

In 2011, Lusha also starred in the films Katie Malone and The Architect. In Katie Malone, she portrayed the role of Ginger, a premed college student who is tormented by the ghost of a slave girl. One Tree Hill actor Stephen Colletti and Superman star Dean Cain costarred in the movie. The film was released by American World Pictures.[32] In The Architect, Lusha acted alongside Stacy Keach.[33] In 2012, Lusha also starred in the film Of Silence, alongside Muse Watson.[34]

In 2012, Lusha starred in the film Orc Wars, portraying the role of Princess Aleya, the last remaining elven warrior.[35]

Lusha re-teamed with George Lopez creator and executive producer Bruce Helford on the FX series Anger Management. Lusha portrayed the love interest Molly in the episode "Charlie and Sean Fight Over A Girl".[36][37]

Lusha was cast as one of the leads in SyFy's Sharknado: The 4th Awakens and Sharknado 5: Global Swarming. Lusha portrayed Gemini, the cousin of Ian Ziering's character, and niece of David Hasselhoff's character.[2][38][39][40]

In 2017, Lusha starred in the Lifetime film Forgotten Evil.[41] In the film, she portrayed Renee / Jane Doe, a woman suffering from amnesia. Without a past, Renee is forced to face a new reality with emerging challenges. Re-teaming with Sharknado director Anthony C. Ferrante, it is reported that the role was written with Lusha in mind.[42]

Humanitarian work and public service campaigns

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Goodwill Ambassador Masiela Lusha and WAY president, Idris Haron, attending a WAY event in 2014.

In a 2016 interview, Lusha credited her childhood memories as a refugee for the drive behind her efforts as a humanitarian. In the same interview Lusha noted that her earliest memory was on a bus with her mother, fleeing Albania. Because of numerous bomb threats targeted at the bus, an international organization provided volunteers to sit in the bus with the refugees, allowing the people to enter Hungary safely. Lusha stated that because of these experiences, "humanitarianism is the bedrock of [her] existence and identity."[13]

In 2010, Lusha was appointed Ambassador for Prince Harry's charity, Sentebale.[3] The charity was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Africa in memory of their mothers, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Queen Mamohato of Lesotho. The cause helps vulnerable children in Lesotho, Africa through various grassroots efforts.[43]

Lusha was the spokesperson for Scholastic's Read for Life, and she has been involved in national PSA commercials and school readings across the country. Throughout her career, Lusha has promoted "the value of appreciating the written word". As the national spokesperson for the Great American Bake Sale, a hunger-relief program, Lusha visits local towns throughout the United States and supports food drives to help battle childhood hunger.[44] For her role as a national spokesperson, Lusha promotes the importance of raising funds to help local communities.[44]

Lusha founded the Children of the World Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers food, shelter and education to families in deprived conditions. For Children of the World, she donated 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land for a community center focused on rehabilitating families in need.[44]

In the spring of 2013, Athgo International appointed Lusha as their Ambassador for Youth.[45] As an Ambassador, Lusha encouraged a dialogue between aspiring global entrepreneurs and Athgo's bodies of support such as the World Bank Group, the United Nations, and international universities. Lusha will participate with Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and Dr. Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General of ITU and vice-chairman of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development.

World Assembly of Youth appointed Lusha as their first Goodwill Ambassador. WAY co-operates with the UN and many of its special agencies, particularly with UNAIDS, UNEP, ILO, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO. As ambassador, Lusha promoted diverse causes concerning the global youth, such as improving gender equality, promote the democratic participation, increase inter-ethnic respect and to foster inter-cultural and international understanding and cooperation.[5][46]

Personal life

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During the filming of George Lopez, Lusha was reportedly privately schooled on set.[21] Lusha graduated from Burbank High School at the age of 15. She later attended Glendale College, in Southern California, graduating with an AA degree and transferring to UCLA as a junior at the age of 18. While at UCLA, Lusha majored in Creative Writing.[15][21] Lusha has also earned a degree from FIDM and credits her education when designing and sewing her own clothes on the red carpet.[6]

In 2012, Lusha began dating financier Ramzi Habibi. In July 2013, it was announced that the two were engaged.[47] On December 28, 2013, the couple married on Wanaka Peak in Queenstown, New Zealand.[48] The couple has 2 children, a son, born in February 2018,[49] and a daughter born in October 2020.[50]

Bibliography

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Poetry collections

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  • Inner Thoughts (1999)
  • Drinking the Moon (2005)
  • Amore Celeste (2009)
  • The Call (2010)
  • The Living Air (2016)

Collected prose and novels

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  • The Besa (2008)

Children's books

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  • Boopity Boop! Writes Her First Poem (2010)
  • Boopity Boop! Goes To Hawaii (2010)

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2000 Father's Love Lisa
2002 Las muertas de Jaurez Aracelli
2004 Cherry Bomb Kim
2008 Time of the Comet Agnes
2009 Blood: The Last Vampire Sharon
2009 Ballad of Broken Angels: Harmony Rox
2010 Kill Katie Malone Ginger
2012 The Architect Iliriana
2013 Dragonfyre Princess Aleya
2014 Of Silence Annabelle
2014 Fatal Instinct Melissa Gates
2017 Branded Donna

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Lizzie McGuire Friend Episode: "Last Year's Model"
2002–2007 George Lopez Carmen Lopez Main role (seasons 1–5)
2003–2005 Clifford's Puppy Days Nina Flores Recurring voice role
2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Mira Episode: "Blasters"
2014 Anger Management Molly Episode: "Charlie and Sean Fight Over a Girl"
2016 Sharknado: The 4th Awakens Gemini Television film
2017 Forgotten Evil Renee / Jane Doe / Veronica Television film
2017 Lopez Herself Episode: "George Dates His Daughter"
2017 Sharknado 5: Global Swarming Gemini Television film
2018 The Last Sharknado: It's About Time Gemini Television film
2019 My Best Friend's Christmas Bella Vega Television film; also known as Christmas Sweethearts

Awards

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Year Award Category Work Result Refs
2003 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress George Lopez Won [51]
2004 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Young Actress Clifford's Puppy Days Nominated [28]
2004 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress George Lopez Won [28]

References

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  1. ^ "Celebrity birthdays for the week of Oct. 22-28". Fox News Channel. Associated Press. October 22, 2006. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Prudom, Laura (April 1, 2016). "'Sharknado 4' Sets Title and Premiere Date on Syfy". Variety. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Accounts; PDF Download; Sentebale.org; October 2012
  4. ^ a b Rudolph, Joyce (October 27, 2010). "Sharing passion for poetry". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ^ a b MIYD; PDF download; Way.Org;
  6. ^ a b c d e Rapp, Ilana (November 13, 2016). "Masiela Lusha of Sharknado 4 Blows My Mind with This Incredible Interview". The Huffington Post.
  7. ^ a b c "Masiela Lusha Biography (1985–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2009.
  8. ^ a b c Tanoposki, B. (April 14, 2007). "Shqiptarja e Hollivudit: Masiela Lusha vjen ne Tiane" [Hollywood's Albanian: Masiela Lusha is from Tirana]. Panorama (in Albanian). Tirana.
  9. ^ a b Muja, Elmira (November 21, 2008). "Masiela lusha, shqiptarja qe u zbulua ne Michigan nga agjenti prej Californie" [Masiela Lusha, Albanian who began in Michigan succeeds in California through an agent]. Illyria (in Albanian). Tirana.
  10. ^ "Shqiptarja Masiela Lusha përkrah Charlie Sheen". Zhurnal.mk. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c Madden, Mekeisha (May 1, 2004). "Formal For One Night". The Detroit News. USA. p. Cover/Section D.
  12. ^ Rudolph, Joyce (October 27, 2010). "Sharing passion for poetry". Burbank Leader. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  13. ^ a b "Masiela Lusha - Beautiful Actress Inside and Out". Mirit.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  14. ^ "Masiela Lusha - Her Mother is Best Friend, Mirit Hendrickson". Mirit.com. May 5, 2016 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  15. ^ a b Henerson, Samantha (October 30, 2006). "Masiela's Poetry Patterns". Scholastic Magazine. USA. pp. 4–5.
  16. ^ LaGuardia, Gina (October 2004). "Masiela's Musings". College Bound Teen. USA. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
  17. ^ Young Author Makes Her Mark in the World of Children’s Literature Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Tolucan Times
  18. ^ "Official Masiela Lusha Literary Works – Drinking the Moon". masielalusha.com. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  19. ^ "Drinking the Moon". Dorrance Bookstore.
  20. ^ "Tolucantimes.info". tolucantimes.info. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Masiela Lusha". masielalusha.com. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  22. ^ "Seven Questions with Masiela Lusha of George Lopez; Celebrity Week on Millionaire Nov. 4-8, 2013". Sitcoms Online. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on February 10, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  23. ^ "Masiela Lusha says". hollywoodsuccess.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  24. ^ Schneider, Michael (March 29, 2006). "Slayer of Stereotypes". Daily Variety. Hollywood. p. A1-A14.
  25. ^ Rice, Lynette (March 14, 2003). "When Reality Attacks". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  26. ^ Garron, Barry (April 28, 2006). "Stand-Up Guise". The Hollywood Reporter. Hollywood. p. 13.
  27. ^ Turner, Timothy (May 1, 2008). "Cast Reunited". The Detroit News. USA. p. Cover/Section C.
  28. ^ a b c "25th Annual Young Artist Awards – Winners and Nominations". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  29. ^ Terril, Joey (April 2004). "Tiger Beat Takes You Behind The Scenes: Masiela Lusha". Tiger Beat. Los Angeles. p. 66.
  30. ^ "George Lopez Sitcom Reunion December 15!". Lopez Tonight. Archived from the original on December 15, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  31. ^ "Official Masiela Lusha Muertas". masielalusha.com. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  32. ^ "Katie Malone director interview".
  33. ^ "Home". lavaproduction.com.
  34. ^ "Full Official Trailer for 'Of Silence' - Bloody Disgusting!". Bloody Disgusting!. August 15, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  35. ^ "albaniac : Masiela Lusha - Foto nga xhirimet e filmit te ri "Orc War"". Revistaalbaniac.blogspot.com. May 15, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  36. ^ "Watch Anger Management Season 2 Episode 50: Charlie and Sean Fight Over a Girl - TVGuide.com". TVGuide.com. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  37. ^ "Albaniac: Masiela Lusha ne "Anger Management" te Charlie Sheen". Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  38. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (March 9, 2016). "'Sharknado 4': Gary Busey, Cheryl Tiegs Join Cast of Syfy Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  39. ^ "These Are the Faces You'll See in Syfy's 'Sharknado 4'". Newscult. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  40. ^ Reid, Tara; Rogers, Anthony (January 1, 2000), Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, retrieved March 16, 2017
  41. ^ "Forgotten Evil | Lifetime". Lifetime. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  42. ^ CelebHaute Spot (March 10, 2017), Interview With Masiela Lusha, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved March 16, 2017
  43. ^ http://sentebale.org/improving-the-lives-of-lesothos-children/[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ a b c "Masiela Lusha Foundation". Masiela Lusha Foundation. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  45. ^ "Athgo International". Athgo.org. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  46. ^ "World Assembly of Youth". World Assembly of Youth.
  47. ^ "Masiela Lusha". YouTube. June 7, 2013. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  48. ^ "Celebrity Wedding Queenstown Masiela Lusha & Ramzi Habibi's Wedding".
  49. ^ "Masiela Lusha: Ju rrëfej dasmën time romantike pak ditë para Vitit të Ri | Gazeta Panorama ONLINE". Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  50. ^ "ďźďźĄďźłďźŠďźĽďźŹďźĄ . on Instagram: "Happy 1st Birthday little bird đ&#x;Ś˘đ&#x;Ľ° we love you to infinity and back, sweet girl đ&#x;'Ť đ&#x;"¸: @304photos"?". Instagram.com. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  51. ^ "24th Annual Young Artist Awards – Winners and Nominations". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016.
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