Sepideh Moafi Refused to Change Her Identity and Doesn’t Regret It – Here’s Why
Sepideh Moafi is gaining attention for her role in The Pitt, but she says one of the most important moments in her career happened long before that.
In an interview with People, Moafi shared a story from when she had just finished her studies. As she was starting out, her first agent gave her advice that did not sit well with her. She was told to change her name if she wanted better chances in the industry.
Moafi said she refused right away. “When I graduated from grad school, my first agent wanted me to change my name and I immediately said, f— no.” She explained that she did not want to adjust her identity just to fit into what others expected. For her, it felt like being asked to become someone else.
Despite that early pressure, her career moved forward without any changes. She went on to appear in projects like Black Bird and The L Word: Generation Q, building a steady path in television.
She also made it clear that she understands why some actors choose differently. Speaking about that, she said, “I hope anyone who makes that choice makes it for themselves and not because they feel like they need to change who they are in order to be more universally palatable.”
In her current role on The Pitt, she plays a doctor who steps into a leadership position and deals with tension at work. Moafi believes those struggles reflect real-life situations many women face. She said, “That moment is so relatable for any woman in any field in positions, and particularly in positions of power.”
For her, staying true to herself has been an important part of her journey. She believes that not changing her name helped her build a career that feels honest and meaningful.
This shows how important it is to stay confident in who you are. The pressure to fit in can be strong, especially in entertainment. But her story proves that success does not always require changing yourself.
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