…You have to be resilient.
Second, whatever happens, always stay in a good mood and maintain a positive mindset.
Third, you need to really get into your character. It’s not just about reading lines off a script; you need to understand and become the character.
Fourth, put yourself out there a lot. Join new things to make more friends and gain experiences that you can use in your roles.
Fifth, just be yourself. This applies to everything, not just acting. Being yourself makes you more genuine. If you’re not yourself, you seem fake…
I had the pleasure of talking with Bardia Seiri. Bardia, a seventeen-year-old Iranian American actor, is rapidly making a name for himself in the entertainment industry. With his feature film debut in Netflix’s highly anticipated comedy, “Incoming,” set to release on August 23, 2024, Seiri’s star is certainly on the rise.
Born in Tehran, Iran, on June 10, 2007, Bardia moved to the United States with his family when he was just four years old. His early exposure to the world of acting came from his father, an accomplished actor who introduced him to the craft. Growing up in California, Seiri was surrounded by opportunities to develop his talent, and he began his career appearing in commercials as a baby.
Seiri’s dedication to his craft and the influence of his father have been pivotal in his journey. He credits his strong work ethic to his parents, who instilled in him the importance of perseverance and resilience. This mindset was crucial as he navigated the often challenging world of auditions and rejections.
Seiri’s first significant break came with his role as Farouk Shami Hunt in the hit television series “Grey’s Anatomy,” where he appeared in seasons fourteen and eighteen. His performance earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the third annual Young Entertainers Awards, highlighting his talent and potential in the industry.
“Incoming,” Seiri’s upcoming film, is a coming-of-age comedy that follows four freshmen facing the trials and tribulations of their first high school party. Seiri plays Koosh, a character from a wealthy family who is eager to step out of his older brother’s shadow and establish his own identity. The film, written and directed by David and John Chernin, features a star-studded cast, including Mason Thames, Ramon Reed, Raphael Alejandro, Bobby Cannavale, Kaitlin Olson, and Scott Macarthur. The movie promises to deliver laughs while exploring themes of teenage self-discovery, peer pressure, and young love.
Reflecting on his journey, Seiri recalls the valuable lessons his father taught him about the audition process. “My dad told me the audition process is going to be hard, definitely 100%. It’s going to be 90% no’s and 10% yes’s. I feel like that’s the biggest takeaway from all the lessons he taught me and something I’ve held onto throughout my life,” Seiri shared.
Despite his growing success, Seiri remains grounded and focused on his passion for acting. He has a keen interest in all aspects of filmmaking, particularly directing and producing. This holistic approach to the industry allows him to understand the intricacies behind the camera, enhancing his performance in front of it.
As he continues to grow in his career, Seiri remains committed to being himself and encouraging others to do the same. “Just being yourself and not having a facade does so much for the world. When you make your own mark, you can create new ideas and new experiences,” he said.
With a promising future ahead, Bardia Seiri is poised to become a significant figure in Hollywood. His dedication to his craft, combined with his unique perspective as an Iranian American, positions him as a relatable and inspiring role model for young actors everywhere. Fans can follow his work on Instagram and catch his latest film on Netflix starting August 23.
Yitzi: Bardia, it’s a delight to meet you, an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Bardia: Yeah, of course. So I was born in Tehran, Iran, and I moved here when I was four years old. My dad was an actor, and he always wanted to bring me into that lifestyle. From then on, I’ve just been in this industry, both in Iran and here.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. Can you share with us how that started? How did you first get into the acting industry? What was your first break? How did that transition happen?
Bardia: Definitely. It started small, but my very first break was Grey’s Anatomy. It was my first big gig, and I was super excited and nervous. But overall, it taught me a lot, and I really enjoyed it.
Yitzi: Do you have memories of growing up in Iran?
Bardia: I have some vague memories, but a lot of them are on set with my dad. It was mostly commercials, but the most memorable parts were just because my dad was there, and that created a bond between us.
Yitzi: That’s beautiful. Do you remember some of the acting lessons that your father taught you?
Bardia: My dad told me the audition process is going to be hard, definitely 100%. It’s going to be 90% no’s and 10% yes’s. I feel like that’s the biggest takeaway from all the lessons he taught me and something I’ve held onto throughout my life. It applies to anything, not just auditions. It could be job interviews or anything else. It’s about learning from rejection and not being discouraged by it.
Yitzi: Amazing. You’ve come so far. I’m sure your father’s very proud of you. How does he feel about your success now?
Bardia: He’s obviously very proud of me. It’s definitely his life’s work with me. I feel like I can take it much farther for him. It’s just great for both of us.
Yitzi: You probably have some fascinating stories from your experiences behind the scenes and on different productions. Can you share with us one of your favorite stories from your professional life?
Bardia: One of my favorite parts was in Grey’s Anatomy. It’s not really funny, but it’s very memorable to me. I was mostly in the hospital and had a bunch of stuff on me, like prosthetics. For my new movie, Incoming, I had the same prosthetics. I really enjoy being on set and being with my castmates.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting acting and the lesson you learned from it?
Bardia: Yeah, definitely. A few years back, when I first got my Grey’s Anatomy gig, I went in a bit unprepared. I had practiced my lines, but not fully. I didn’t show my full potential that day. But from then on, I’ve made sure to be fully prepared and ready to go every single day.
Yitzi: That’s great. Beautiful. You have some amazing work already out. Can you share with us the exciting projects you’re working on now? Tell us about Incoming, your character, and why we have to watch it.
Bardia: Currently, I’ve worked on Incoming, which you can watch on Netflix starting August 22nd. This movie is very different from Grey’s Anatomy in terms of drama and genre. Grey’s Anatomy was super dramatic, while Incoming is more comedic and uplifting. What makes this movie special to me is that, even though it’s a comedy meant to make you laugh, it also has a lot of meaning. The main focus is on newly freshmen going into high school, which is such an important moment in everyone’s life. It’s really relatable to a lot of people.
Yitzi: How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Bardia, with Kush, the character that you play? How are you similar and how are you different?
Bardia: Definitely, Kush is a very cocky kid with a big ego. I try not to be like that. But we have similarities from when I was a freshman in high school. I was super nervous and unsure of who I should be or how I should look. But as I progressed in high school, I learned to be myself and make my own path.
Yitzi: So which parts of his personality do you find most relatable?
Bardia: Definitely. When I think about my freshman year, his nervousness and overthinking really relate to me. We were both very nervous about starting high school.
Yitzi: Do you think your personal experience of coming to the United States helps to color or inform your character?
Bardia: I feel like emotionally and mentally, yes. Coming from an entirely new country from across the world is somewhat similar to entering a new stage of school. You’re nervous, unsure of what to do, and everyone seems different from you. But you have to make your own mark while also making friends.
Yitzi: Great. What lessons do you think society could take from the themes of Incoming?
Bardia: Definitely being nice to people. In this movie, I’m not very nice to a lot of people, and I get hurt emotionally, and so do they. I feel like we should all be more open-minded and kind to everyone.
Yitzi: This is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things that you know now that you wish someone had told you when you first started acting?
Bardia: Definitely. The first one goes back to my last answer: rejection. You have to be resilient.
Second, whatever happens, always stay in a good mood and maintain a positive mindset.
Third, you need to really get into your character. It’s not just about reading lines off a script; you need to understand and become the character.
Fourth, put yourself out there a lot. Join new things to make more friends and gain experiences that you can use in your roles.
Fifth, just be yourself. This applies to everything, not just acting. Being yourself makes you more genuine. If you’re not yourself, you seem fake. Those are my five takeaways.
Yitzi: You are still in school, right? How do you balance the rigorous schedule of acting with schoolwork?
Bardia: It was definitely simpler when I was younger because I didn’t get much homework. When I got to high school, it was five, six, seven classes, but my teachers were very understanding. I would tell them beforehand, and they would send me all the homework either electronically or on paper. The hardest part was finding a balance between being on set and being a normal kid in school.
Yitzi: Do other kids relate to you like you’re a normal kid, or do they treat you differently because you’re an actor?
Bardia: I definitely try to make them not think that way. I want them to know that I’m just a normal kid going through the same things as them in high school and in life. I’m a human being, a normal person.
Yitzi: What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not working at school or on a film or TV project?
Bardia: I like to stay in the film industry area. I enjoy making my own films, writing, and directing them. It helps me with my acting because I get to see what’s happening behind the camera and understand what the director is thinking. It helps me branch out and be more versatile in my acting.
Yitzi: So you’re directing and producing projects. What are you working on?
Bardia: Definitely with acting, writing, and directing, I’m more into comedies and dramas. I like to bring them together as comedic dramas or dramatic comedies, and I try to make them relatable. Since I don’t have a big budget, I aim for relatability rather than making sci-fi movies. I want people to take away a lesson, whether it’s a simple or big one, something they come up with on their own.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. Are your cast members your friends, or do you hire professional actors? Do you have to raise a budget for that? How does that work?
Bardia: It’s mostly my friends, but I have some really great friends. It’s summer right now, it’s 100 degrees, and they stay outside with me while we make this movie. It’s definitely a memorable experience.
Yitzi: How old are you, may I ask?
Bardia: I’m 17.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. You’re so talented. You have a really bright future. I read that you were nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Grey’s Anatomy. That must have felt great. What was your reaction? Tell us the story.
Bardia: That was definitely a surprise. It was during my younger years on Grey’s Anatomy, and I was pretty shocked. There were a lot of cool people on the red carpet, and it was a really great venue at Universal Studios. It was 100% a memorable experience. That’s always in the back of my mind.
Yitzi: This is our aspirational question. We’re almost at the end. Because of the platform you’ve built and your great work, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Bardia: Personally, with the help of my new movie, I feel like just being yourself and not having a facade does so much for the world. When you make your own mark, you can create new ideas and new experiences. It can help you 100%, and it can help everyone around you.
Yitzi: Beautiful answer. This is what we call our matchmaker question. We’re very blessed that prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this column. Is there a person in the world or the U.S. with whom you’d like to have coffee or a power lunch to collaborate with? We could tag them on social media and maybe connect you.
Bardia: That’s a really good question. I really enjoy the work of actor and director Bill Hader. I’ve seen a lot of his work and relate to him a lot because he started with comedies and then branched out into directing his own TV shows. His show Barry is one of my favorites. If I could have coffee with him, I’d love to talk about his acting and how he transitioned into directing.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they watch your new movie and support you?
Bardia: Definitely. They can find me on Instagram. They can watch my new movie on August 22nd on Netflix.
Yitzi: It’s really been a pleasure to meet you. This has been a refreshing, thoughtful, and smart conversation. You’re going to be a superstar one day. I hope that next year we can do this again.
Bardia: Of course. I’ll be here.
Rising Star Bardia Seiri On the Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.