FTA Meets: Andria Tayeh
Andria Tayeh is a woman of many talents. Her fame skyrocketed following the success of the 2021 Netflix mini-series, AlRawabi School for Girls. But beyond the glitz and glamour is the ever-so-humble introvert who’s about to embark on a blossoming career like no other.
Tayeh, who is half Jordanian-Lebanese has always dreamt of becoming an actress — a lifelong dream she never thought could manifest into reality one day. “I’ve participated in many school plays growing up, but never knew it could become my career,” she says as she joins Fashion Trust Arabia via Zoom from her home in Amman, Jordan. That ultimately changed when she got scouted for a role in Tima Alshomali’s AlRawabi School for Girls. “I applied for a different role at first, got called in about 8 times, until the director said, you should probably try out for Mariam,” — the character she would eventually play in the series and would ultimately push her to the centre of the global stage.
Tayeh, who just graduated from the Lebanese American University in Beirut, with a major in Business Administration and Management, is very similar to her character on the show. “She’s an introvert like me. I’m quite shy and very to myself,” she explains. “She loved reading books and I didn’t, but now because of her, I enjoy reading quite a lot.” She lives a simple and disciplined life, preferring to spend most of her time with friends and family. “My favorite scenes to film were those were my mother. I felt like a lot of could people and young girls could relate to our story,” she explains as she reflects on what matters the most to her in life — family.
Family is an integral part of Tayeh’s life. Being thrusted into the spotlight overnight comes with its challenges; however her family were there to help her navigate those new roads. Andria who had around 10 thousand followers pre-Rawabi is now close to a million — a year on since the show premiered on the streaming giant. “It was weird at first, I got anxious and I didn’t know what to feel, but I’m thankful I had my family and a great management team to support me every step of the way.”
Her life was no longer the same — it can’t be. The show premiered to critical acclaim worldwide, triggering assertive reactions and conversations around the globe. “I had a feeling the show would do well,” she says, “but I didn’t know we’d be number one in countries like Mexico and more.” Although grateful, privacy is what she misses the most about pre-fame. “Whenever I go out, I’m recognized now, and I miss my privacy where I could go to a restaurant and not have people taking pictures of me,” but with fame came an online family she truly appreciates. “I love having conversations with my followers. We always chat, and I always ask about their days,” — reaffirming what matters the most to Tayeh — the simple things in life.
Alrawabi narrates the stories shared by many in Middle East and beyond. It is the lived experience of millions of teenagers — a theme the Jordanian-Lebanese actress holds close to her heart. “I like playing roles that people could relate to, but I also want to do thrillers, action movies and more in the future.”
As she sits behind the screen, Tayeh pauses to reflect on the most rewarding moment in her career thus far. “I guess it was seeing my name on screen at the Joy Awards in Saudi Arabia when I was nominated. Seeing my name in a room filled with many actors and actresses I’ve looked up to my entire life was surreal.” But for Tayeh, the sky is the limit — the Joy Awards may be the pinnacle for now, but as she’s set to commence preparations for the second season of Netflix’s Alrawabi School For Girls and another series she teased will premier later this year — a breakout star she will be indeed.
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