Masiela Lusha

Masiela Lusha (Template:IPAc-en; born October 23, 1985<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>) 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.<ref name="V-S:T4A">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref name="sentebale.org">Accounts; PDF Download; Sentebale.org; October 2012</ref><ref name="latimes.com">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014, Lusha was made the World Assembly of Youth's goodwill ambassador. Lusha is an advocate for UN Women.<ref name="way.org.my">MIYD; PDF download; Way.Org;</ref><ref name="HuffPo">Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="filmref">Template:Cite web</ref> Lusha has written poetry and translated it into Albanian.<ref name="Tanoposki, B"/> She has translated poems and prayers by Mother Teresa.<ref name="Tanoposki, B">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Muja">Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life and education

Lusha was born in Tirana, Albania,<ref name="filmref"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and is the child of Max and Daniela Lusha. Her mother was a magazine publisher.<ref name="Madden Cover/Section D">Template:Cite news</ref> In 1990, Lusha and her family left Albania as refugees.<ref name="bl">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="mirit.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

Childhood and adolescence in America

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 II, and chief of laboratories for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.<ref name="HuffPo"/><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:Dead Youtube links</ref> English was Lusha's fourth language, after Albanian, Hungarian, and German.<ref name="latimes.com"/> 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.<ref name="Madden Cover/Section D"/>

Literary career

File:Masiela Lusha Boopity Boop 1.jpg

Lusha signing copies of her book, in October 2010.

Early recognition (1997–2004)

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.<ref name="Henerson 4–5">Template:Cite news</ref> Upon graduating high school, Lusha had published two collections of poetry.<ref name="Laguardia">Template:Cite news</ref> As of 2010, Lusha has since written seven books.<ref name="tolucantimes.info">Young Author Makes Her Mark in the World of Children’s Literature Template:Webarchive Tolucan Times</ref>

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

From 2005 to 2010, Lusha wrote four poetry books.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While filming George Lopez, Lusha published her second book, Drinking the Moon <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016, Lusha released her fourth book of poetry, The Living Air.<ref name="HuffPo"/>

In an interview, Lusha revealed that she completed her novel, The Besa, in one month, writing from 6 am until 8 pm every day while forgetting to eat. 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."<ref name="HuffPo"/>

Acting career

Career beginnings and early roles (1997–1999)

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.<ref name="ml">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Madden Cover/Section D"/> 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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hollywood: George Lopez and breakthrough (2000–2007)

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> After completing its 120th episode, the show reached global syndication and established Lusha as a TV veteran by the age of 20.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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".<ref name="Madden Cover/Section C">Template:Cite news</ref>

Lusha won two consecutive Young Artist Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Comedy and Drama for her portrayal as Carmen.<ref name="25thYAA">Template:Cite web</ref> While working on George Lopez, Lusha also voiced the role of Nina for four years on the PBS series Clifford's Puppy Days.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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)

File:Masiela Lusha at Warner Brothers Studios.jpg

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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Lusha has since appeared as Mira on an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.<ref name="Tanoposki, B"/> 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.<ref name="Muja"/><ref name="ml" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Masiela Lusha and Ismail Kadare.jpg

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.<ref name="ml" />

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.<ref name="filmref" />

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In The Architect, Lusha acted alongside Stacy Keach.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, Lusha also starred in the film Of Silence, alongside Muse Watson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2012, Lusha starred in the film Orc Wars, portraying the role of Princess Aleya, the last remaining elven warrior.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="V-S:T4A" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref>

In 2017, Lusha starred in the Lifetime film Forgotten Evil.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

Humanitarian work and public service campaigns

File:Masiela Lusha with Datuk Seri Ir. Haji Idris bin Haron.jpg

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."<ref name="mirit.com"/>

In 2010, Lusha was appointed Ambassador for Prince Harry's charity, Sentebale.<ref name="sentebale.org"/> 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.<ref>http://sentebale.org/improving-the-lives-of-lesothos-children/Template:Dead link</ref>

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.<ref name="masielalushafoundation.org">Template:Cite web</ref> For her role as a national spokesperson, Lusha promotes the importance of raising funds to help local communities.<ref name="masielalushafoundation.org" />

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 Template:Convert of land for a community center focused on rehabilitating families in need.<ref name="masielalushafoundation.org"/>

In the spring of 2013, Athgo International appointed Lusha as their Ambassador for Youth.<ref name="athgo.org">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="way.org.my"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

During the filming of George Lopez, Lusha was reportedly privately schooled on set.<ref name="ml" /> 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.<ref name="Henerson 4–5"/><ref name="ml" /> She also earned a degree from FIDM, and credits her education when designing and sewing her own clothes on the red carpet.<ref name="HuffPo"/>

In 2012, Lusha began dating financier Ramzi Habibi. In July 2013, it was announced that the two were engaged.<ref name="youtube1">Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> On December 28, 2013, the couple married on Wanaka Peak in Queenstown, New Zealand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The couple has 2 children, a son, born in February 2018,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and a daughter born in October 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bibliography

Poetry collections

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

Collected prose and novels

• The Besa (2008)

Children's books

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

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2000	Father's Love	Lisa
2002	Las muertas de Juarez	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	Template:Sortname	Iliriana
2013	Dragonfyre	Princess Aleya
2014	Of Silence	Annabelle
2014	Fatal Instinct	Melissa Gates
2017	Branded	Donna

Television

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

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result	Refs
2003	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress	George Lopez	Template:Won	<ref name="24thYAA">Template:Cite web</ref>
2004	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Young Actress	Clifford's Puppy Days	Template:Nom	<ref name="25thYAA" />
	Young Artist Award	Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress	George Lopez	Template:Won	<ref name="25thYAA" />

External links

• Template:IMDb name
• Seven Questions with Masiela Lusha at Sitcoms On Line