‘The Pitt’ Star Sepideh Moafi Says Her Agent Wanted to Change Her Name
Sepideh Moafi, known for her role in “The Pitt” Season 2, recently shared with People magazine her experience of being advised by her first agent to change her name in order to secure more acting roles.
Reflecting on this suggestion, Moafi expressed her firm refusal to alter her identity, stating, “When I graduated from grad school, my first agent wanted me to change my name and I immediately said, ‘Fuck no.’ I know actors who have changed their names and there’s no judgment there. And I know a lot of actors, specifically people of color, who have been expected to change their name and haven’t.”
The decision to change one’s name, according to Moafi, is a complex one for anyone, acknowledging that individuals have their own reasons for doing so. She emphasized, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with people who decide to do it.”
Remaining true to herself, Moafi stood by her name and identity, refusing to conform to external expectations. She recalled, “It felt like they needed me to be someone different in order to work or to sell something. I refused. I continued, and I ended up booking my first job and then my second and third, and having a beautiful, varied career as a result.”
In “The Pitt” Season 2, Moafi portrays the character of Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, an attending physician stepping in for Noah Wyle’s Dr. Michael Robinavitch during his sabbatical. Her impressive resume also includes roles in popular TV series such as “The Deuce,” “The L Word: Generation Q,” and “Black Bird.”
Moafi’s steadfast decision to retain her name serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself in the entertainment industry. Her success and diverse career trajectory stand as a testament to the impact of embracing one’s true identity in pursuit of one’s dreams.
