Actress, Aliza Vellani has been leading a distinguished career within the Canadian entertainment industry. Having had extensive experience in the arts through acting,dancing, improv and singing, Aliza first brought her talents and experience to television in CBC’s hit sitcom, Little Mosque on the Prairie as the teenage character of Layla Siddiqui. Aliza has been portraying the role since the show’s initial debut in January 2007.
Today, from 3;00pm -5:00pm eastern standard time[7:00pm-9:00pm GMT] fans can interact with the actress by asking her questions related to Layla’s reappearance this season, anything else related to Aliza’s work on the show as well as the actress’ other related pursuits. Fans are also welcome to share relevant comments with the talented actress. With Little Mosque drawing to an end after six seasons and Layla making an appearance in the show’s series finale on Monday April 2, it’s a great time and way for fans to interact with the actress.
The comments section will open up shortly before the event @ approximately 2:45pm eastern standard time.In order to see Aliza’s responses to the questions and to see what other readers are asking, be sure to refresh the page several times throughout the session.
Questions related to the event can be sent by e-mail @ blogmanagement@ymail.com. Live technical support during the event will be available on the blog’s Facebook page.We look forward to hosting this event!
hi everyone.
Special Welcome to Aliza and all of the blog’s readers who are joining us this afternoon.
Thank you Abbas for having me here today.
What’s Layla’s closure for the season finally?
Hi,
You are a very talented actor! When you started acting, some seasons ago, you looked like you were 13 or so- at that young age, what motivated you to act, who encouraged you, and how did you finally lend the role of Layla?
Are you satisfied with Layla’s ending?
Hi Louisa,
I am not sure how much I can say about Layla’s closure in the episode. however, I can tell you that she does come into her own when she returns. You’ll have to tune in to see what Layla has planned for Baber this time.
I have always wanted to act ever since I was about 9 or 10 years old. I had a friend in school who started acting in film and TV and I joined her in an acting camp. After that, I knew that acting was what I wanted to pursue as a career. And yes, I am happy with the way they brought Layla back at the end of the series.
Are you working on any other projects?
And thank you Moiz for the lovely compliment. Yes, I was about 14 years old when I started the series. I had sent in a tape through my agent to Toronto when they were first casting auditions. I went for a second audition when the director, Michael Kennedy came to Vancouver. A few weeks later, I learned a had gotten the role. It was quite exciting.
Right now I am going to university to getting my Bachelors in Fine Arts in Vancouver. Over the past years, I have done a couple of smaller roles here and there but I plan on audition a lot more often once I am done school.
Awesome Actress
Are you primarily interested in continuing to do comedy?
Thank you June.
I do love comedy. As an actor, I hope that in the future I will be able to perform in a wide variety of genres. I have always wanted to act in an action film or series. They seem like they would be a lot of fun!
You play a great part!
What was your first film?
Hi Aliza,
Here is S’ questions . She had posted on the other post, so I copied them over here for her.
Hello,
I should start by saying that I have very much enjoyed your character on the show. I think, over the years, she added a great deal and you did a great job.
I am interested in knowing:
1. How did you become involved in the show?
2. Do you relate to your character?
3. The show addresses a lot of complex social issues, albeit in a comedic fashion. What do you see as the show’s main message/theme in this last season and how do you see your character contributing to it?
4. What are your acting plans for the future and will they continue to be in tv or other media?
Looking forward to any of your thoughts. Thanks!
You make me laugh so much!
What was your favourite Little Mosque on the Prairie episode?
Thanks! Little Mosque on the Prairie was actually my first role ever! I was very lucky that my first acting job ended up going for 6 seasons.
Who was your favourite cast member to work alongside in the tv series?
J’aime Layla! Elle c’est un très très bonne actress! Je suis francias, alors je ne pas regarde la season 6. Ma Mere est Pere, c’est un actress, est je ne pas. Toi c’est bonne!
I was able to land the role through my agent after we sent a tape to Toronto for the series. A couple of weeks after I auditioned for the director in Vancouver, I got news that i received the part. Because I was playing Layla at the same age that she was, there were a lot of things I could relate to the character. By being a teenager, there is sometimes a need to fit in and find out how to balance the different parts of your life. The great part about Layla is that she can relate to teenagers of all types because she is simply trying to find their place in the world. And yes I do plan to continue a career in TV and film.
Yahoo!!!!!!! You are my favourite actress!
Whats it like working with Sitara Hewitt and any beauty tips from the team??? Please reply
Have you done any other films?
It is so difficult to name my favourite episode or even to say who my favourite cast member to work with was. I spent a lot of time on set with Manoj Sood, who played my father on the show, as many of you know. He definitely became like an uncle to me during the course of the series. He has always been an amazing actor to work with. One of my favourite episodes to film was when Fred Tupper (Neil Crone) and Layla decide to send Fatima’s secret recipe to a magazine. There is no doubt that acting with Arlene Duncan and Neil Crone was a day full of laughter and enjoyment.
And merci Chanelle.
Aliza: I wish you best of luck in your your future. You have the talent and a good presence on screen. What I liked about your role in Little Mosque is that it portrayed you as much a part of the mainstream as it did of the minority community. I would commend any future Canadian films to consider you for a role. I do not know whether you are into Canadian films, such as Grow Op, but Canadians are producing great films- hope to see you in a Canadian film!
Best wishes.
Moiz
Wow, Amazing Actress
Sitara was always a lot of fun to work with on set. I also loved getting tips on my hair an make up from the wonderful make up artist and hair stylists on the show. Mostly I learned smaller tips, like how to curl my hair naturally and also where to put blush on my cheeks. Since I started the show at such a young age, I was always so curious with what they were doing.
Please reply to my message: Whats it like working with Sitara Hewitt and any beauty tips from the team??? Please reply
what other beauty/fashion tips can you give us…?? skin care tips? plsssss
Over the past couple of years, I have done smaller one episode roles here and there. I did a one episode appearance on nickelodeon’s ‘The troop’ as a cheerleader, which was definitely a new experience. Also, I recently worked on the set of Disney’s “Geek Charming” for a small role. Mostly, I have been working on completing my university education.
I remember that because I had very sensitive skin when working on the show, they were always particular about using mineral make up for me so that I didn’t break out. I was a teenager after all so break outs were definitely a possibility.
And sitara was a lot of fun to act with. She was always another actress I looked upto during the series and it was great getting to know her over the years.
and thank you to everyone for the wonderful compliments. It truly means a lot that you all enjoy the show and that you have enjoyed watching Layla grow up during the course of the series. I hope that I will be able to provide the same effect on any other future projects I may work on in the future.
Good work, Aliza. Do you find it difficult as a visible minority to get auditions?
Also, although I know there are quite a few Ismaili Muslim actors in Canada, they just dont get recognition. Do you know of any?
Being a minority in the industry definitely has some affect on the kind of auditions you get in film. However, recently I have seen more opportunities for actors of all ethnicities in film and TV. And as for Ismaili Muslim actors, there was another Ismaili Actor that made an appearance on Little Mosque on the Prairie. Her name is Nimet Kanji and played JJ’s mother on the show in season 3. I did not get to perform any scenes with her but I got to know her very well as she was also lived in Vancouver like me. She is a wonderful actress and she has performed in other fun series.
Tazim, I have also seen Ismaili actors on TV, but dont know their names as such. And you are right, this is mostly due to under exposure!
Aliza, I understand it can be a challenge to be a young actor while balancing life as a student. Did/do you find it difficult?
Welcome, Shafique! Glad to hear your perspective! � Do you have any� questions you would like to ask Aliza?
While being in university, I definitely had to figure out how to maintain the balance between my career and my education. I had to ask the question of where I wanted to be in 5-10 years. In the end, I decided to make my university BFA a priority. I do still audition for TV when I can, but for now I plan to finish up school and then continue my acting career fully when I am done university.
That certainly makes sense and sounds like a good plan. I think you’re very talented and wish you all the best!
Thank you very much S. And thank you for lovely questions
Thanks.That is very nice of you and I really do look forward to your next production.
Thank you.
Hopefully it will be sometime in the near future.
I’m sure it will. Are you feeling any pressure to move within or from Canada to search for opportunities or are there sufficient productions in BC?
Great question, S. I have also been wondering about this.
There are quite a few projects that are filming in the lower mainland right now, but as an actor it is also beneficial to be flexible and follow where the work is. So far I have planned to stay in BC and see what work might be available here. I am also interested in seeing different options within Canada and even in the US down the road.
Who knows, maybe I’ll find myself walking down the streets of downtown, Toronto five years from now.
Toronto is nice (as is Vancouver). I’m glad to hear that there are opportunities within Canada.
Are you mostly taking drama classes in your degree or is it a medley?
I am pursuing a Bachelors in Fine Arts for Theatre. So right now my courses mostly consists of performance based training. The great part about my university is that I am able to take a wide variety of styles in performance. So far I have had training in Voice, Acting and Dance. Another great part about my school is that I have requirements to take courses outside my field, so I am still able to take other courses that may interest me outside of drama.
That’s wonderful. Do you have aspirations to pursue voice or dance more? Any interest in directing or the more technical aspects of film?
Dance has always been a passion of mine. I don’t think I will ever give up dancing and learning new forms of dance throughout my life. Right now, I plan to go wherever my aspirations take me within the fine arts. Voice training is always a good thing to have when being in film and TV. I am always up for new ways to challenge myself. I have also been interested in directing. I hope to get a taste of it within my university program at some point. I think after more years of experience in the industry, I might give directing a try.
That is fantastic! I’m sure you’ll get to do it all. Outside of school/work, do you have any hobbies? Are there any specific ways you cope with the pressures of performing/being in the public eye?
Have you visited the sets of Hollywood? Or would you be interested in working there?
There actually hasn’t been much trouble being in the public eye. I have always loved performing for an audience and I have always loved talking to people who are a fan of the show or people who simply have questions about the industry.
I do have quite a few hobbies. When I am not at school I enjoy watching movies, dancing, painting, sketching, writing as well as hang out with my friends. I have many other hobbies I try to keep up with when I can, but of course school has kept me very busy.
I have never been to Hollywood. It seems like a very big goal to get myself to Hollywood, but who knows where I may end up in the future.
Special thanks to Aliza for participating in the live chat.It has been great fun and I wish you all the best for the future.
Thanks to all of the blog’s readers who participated in the conversation. There were really great questions and comments.
Thank you Abbas for an amazing interview. And thank you to the fans of Little Mosque for the wonderful questions. I hope you all enjoy Layla’s return to Mercy and that you enjoy the series finale of Little Mosque on the Prairie. It has been my pleasure these past 6 seasons.
Great interview – didn’t ask any questions as I am so behind on the show but here’s one that you may be able to answer Abbas – any chance the show will come to the United States? I met the director, Zarqa Nawaz, a couple of years ago and was so impressed, but am only able to find the show a couple of seasons later at the library.
My pleasure, Aliza. Thanks again for participating . Your responses were terrific!
Hello Marilyn,
Sorry for the delay!
Here is a link to a recent report on the possibility of the show coming to the USA. There are efforts which are currently being taken.
http://playbackonline.ca/2012/03/30/is-little-mosque-on-the-prairie-headed-to-america/
Hope you are able to catch up shortly!
Abbas
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