Sarah Shahi Quotes

Powerful Sarah Shahi for Daily Growth

About Sarah Shahi

Sarah Shahi, born Ashraf Dustai on January 10, 1980, in Euless, Texas, is an accomplished American actress and former model of Iranian descent. Raised by her mother, Mahnoon Dustai, a beauty-pageant winner, and her stepfather, Ali Golzari, a property developer, Sarah developed an early interest in performing arts. At the age of four, Shahi began taking ballet lessons, which laid the foundation for her future career in dance and acting. She later studied theatre at Southern Methodist University in Dallas before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting dreams. Shahi's breakthrough role was Kim Brauckman on the FX series "The L-Word" (2004-2009). Her portrayal of a bisexual bartender earned critical acclaim and brought her into the limelight. The success of this role paved the way for other notable roles, including Riga on the CBS drama "Life" (2007-2008), Detective Dani Reese in the BBC America series "Falling Skies" (2011-2013), and Rozonda Li in the Fox action-comedy series "Person of Interest" (2011-2016). In addition to her acting work, Shahi is known for her activism. She has been vocal about women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and animal welfare causes. In 2019, she co-founded the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. Shahi continues to act, most recently starring in the Apple TV+ series "Swarm" (2023), further solidifying her place as a dynamic force in the entertainment industry. Her versatility, passion, and advocacy continue to inspire fans worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I love the idea that you can change your destiny by changing your mind."

This quote by Sarah Shahi emphasizes the power of one's thoughts and mindset in shaping their future, or in other words, the concept that our actions and decisions are influenced significantly by our perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes. It suggests that if we can change our mindset, we can alter our course and potentially reshape our destiny. This idea encourages self-awareness, optimism, resilience, and personal growth, as it highlights the importance of adopting a positive and proactive approach to life's challenges.

"When I feel my spirit is breaking, when I think I cannot bear any more pain, I remember how far I've come and I vow to keep going a little longer."

This quote emphasizes resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. When one feels overwhelmed by hardships or pain, remembering personal achievements serves as a reminder of strength and determination. The speaker vows to endure for a little longer, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there's always the capacity to push through challenges and continue moving forward.

"I believe in living life fearlessly and passionately and not letting anyone stand in your way."

This quote emphasizes a mindset that values courage, enthusiasm, and self-assertion. It encourages individuals to live their lives without fear or hesitation, embracing each moment with fervor and determination. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of standing up for oneself, overcoming obstacles, and resisting attempts by others to hinder personal growth and fulfillment.

"The beauty of our souls is that we have the power to heal ourselves."

This quote suggests that each individual possesses an inherent ability to heal their own emotional wounds or inner pain. It underscores the idea that personal growth, resilience, and recovery are within one's reach. The soul, being a symbol of one's essence and identity, is beautifully empowered with this healing potential. By recognizing and tapping into our inner strength, we can embark on a journey towards self-discovery, growth, and ultimately, personal transformation.

"Don't let the world harden you so you'll stay safe, world soften you so that you'll be kind."

This quote by Sarah Shahi emphasizes the importance of maintaining a compassionate and empathetic mindset despite life's challenges. It encourages us to resist allowing the hardships of the world to create an impenetrable shell, as that would make us less open to kindness. Instead, she suggests we should soften ourselves, enabling us to show more kindness towards others and maintain a warm and understanding heart in the face of adversity.

I actually got more attention from one episode of 'The Sopranos' than I did from two years of 'The L Word.'

- Sarah Shahi

More, Episode, The Sopranos, Sopranos

I came from a single parent household. And I had a bad example of what a husband and father could be and how irresponsible a father could be. So because of that, I didn't want to get married or have kids.

- Sarah Shahi

Father, Parent, Bad, Irresponsible

My father left when I was really young, but he's still living. There are things I wish I'd said that I didn't and I don't think I'll ever get the opportunity to say. He's battled addiction problems his entire life. I wish things were different. I wish there were a way my son could know him, know the good parts of him.

- Sarah Shahi

Father, Young, Entire, Good Parts

I really got into 'The Walking Dead.' That was genius. And I have to say, my husband is on 'Shameless,' and I think it's a brilliant show.

- Sarah Shahi

Think, Brilliant, I Think, Shameless

To be beautiful in Texas, you had to be blonde and blue-eyed and have a name like Ann.

- Sarah Shahi

Beautiful, Name, Like, Blue-Eyed

When I was in my early 20s, I looked towards exterior things to make me feel sexy - guys, clothes, shoes, etc. Now it's all about how I feel internally.

- Sarah Shahi

Feel, About, Exterior, Early

You know, I never really paid attention to sports, which, coming from the mecca of football in Texas, is kind of odd. I played sports, but I was nerdy. Having a single mother, the pressure was on me to get good grades and a scholarship and go to college.

- Sarah Shahi

College, Texas, Grades, Mecca

I never really paid attention to sports, which, coming from the mecca of football in Texas, is kind of odd. I played sports, but I was nerdy. Having a single mother, the pressure was on me to get good grades and a scholarship and go to college.

- Sarah Shahi

College, Texas, Grades, Mecca

It is therapeutic for me to act, to be able to slip into somebody else's skin, and know it's not you, but know that you bring a lot of yourself to it. At times in my life it's provided me with a lot of confusion. It's also provided me with a lot of discovery.

- Sarah Shahi

My Life, Skin, Provided, Therapeutic

I know it sounds weird, but my definition of 'sexy' has changed as I've gotten older. And being smart and informed makes me feel sexier than any outfit.

- Sarah Shahi

Sexy, Informed, Gotten, Changed

Growing up, I loved Morticia Addams and Lily Munster on one hand, and Jeannie from 'I Dream of Jeannie' on the other. Two completely different ends of the spectrum, kind of like me.

- Sarah Shahi

Kind, Other, Like, I Dream

I'm used to a lot of love scenes. I'm used to something that requires me to kick up my heels and wink-wink, flirt-flirt with a twirl of my skirt.

- Sarah Shahi

Love, Heels, Used, Skirt

You really have to take your time; you have to know your character and your scene. The line you are about to say comes from the moment right before. It's not what's said, it's what is in between the spaces, it's what's in between the lines; that is the most important to play.

- Sarah Shahi

Play, Line, Before, Spaces

I was captain of the volleyball team and the basketball team, and I ran track.

- Sarah Shahi

Basketball, Volleyball, Basketball Team

My parents divorced when I was 10, but when my father was there, he was trying to create almost like a little prison for me.

- Sarah Shahi

Father, Like, Almost, Divorced

My role is to just tell the highest degree of truth with every character and every story. From there, I have no clue whatsoever how things are going to turn out.

- Sarah Shahi

Role, Going, Whatsoever, No Clue

My favorite workouts are the ones that don't feel like I'm working out! So, dance is a big one. Another is any kind of isolated moves, like ballet moves. Anything that works the glutes and legs - sign me up! And I like to blast the music. I have to get lost in the music. That helps.

- Sarah Shahi

Big, Big One, Works, Blast

I think it's important to love what you do and have a good time with it. I go to work every day and have a blast.

- Sarah Shahi

Love, Think, I Think, Blast

I always had that adolescent notion that I had to get out of Texas. But I'm really glad I grew up there. It's where I learned to look people in the eye, to be straightforward and polite.

- Sarah Shahi

Always, Straightforward, Adolescent

NFL cheerleading is harder than most people think. They train up to six hours every day with games on Sundays. They gave me a great work ethic.

- Sarah Shahi

Think, Hours, Six, Train

Right when I finish a workout, I feel pretty sexy. Even though I'm sweaty and I don't smell like a rose, I feel strong. It does a lot for me mentally and physically.

- Sarah Shahi

Strong, Pretty, Though, Sweaty

My views on equality are pretty obvious. I mean, I did play a highly complex lesbian techno DJ on TV, but I know it's not always easy to come out and tell the world where you stand.

- Sarah Shahi

Play, DJ, TV, Highly

Once, I started cheering for the wrong team. I was hot, and I heard 'Touchdown!' and I started doing high kicks, and I looked around and nobody else was cheering.

- Sarah Shahi

Doing, Started, Looked, Kicks

Cheerleading was my way in. It was one of the most rigorous audition processes ever. It definitely groomed me for Hollywood.

- Sarah Shahi

Processes, Way, Audition, Rigorous

The goal as an actor is to constantly surround yourself with amazing artists who challenge you and make you grow.

- Sarah Shahi

Goal, Grow, Constantly, Surround

I never thought I would be one of those wacky chicks who say, 'I loved my labor,' but I loved every part of it. It was the best day of my life.

- Sarah Shahi

My Life, Thought, Part, Chicks

I'm attracted to playing characters that have flaws.

- Sarah Shahi

Characters, Attracted, Flaws

My great-great-grandfather was a shah back in the 1800s. Unfortunately, I don't have any gold coins or jewels to show for it.

- Sarah Shahi

Back, Show, Coins, Jewels

I've learned a lot with every character, everything from being a cop, to a lawyer to a tattoo artist. And underneath that stuff, I've been really able to find myself through the characters. It's served as a cheap form of emotional therapy.

- Sarah Shahi

Through, Cop, Been, Underneath

I'm a girl in boy's clothing. I like to get a little rough. I prefer mud to makeup. That's me in a nutshell.

- Sarah Shahi

Makeup, Rough, Prefer, Mud

I feel that as the world becomes more and more multicultural, it's a good tool to be able to speak another language.

- Sarah Shahi

More, Feel, Another, Tool

You can get a man's attention if you got a pair of boobs and a butt. I hate to simplify them down so much, but I think it's true.

- Sarah Shahi

Think, I Think, Them, Boobs

Honestly, as an actor, all I need to know, the way I kind of look at a scene, is like a puzzle. There are certain puzzle pieces that are bigger than others, and all I need to know is if this is going to fit here to make this part of the puzzle work.

- Sarah Shahi

Here, Part, Scene, Puzzle

The most important mark I will leave on this world is my son.

- Sarah Shahi

World, Important, Most, Mark

I did a lot of theater growing up, and in college I was in the musical 'Chicago.'

- Sarah Shahi

College, Growing, Lot, Chicago

Michael Emerson is just a prince. There's something about him. He's so sweet. I don't know how to describe it. There's something about him that's a bit royal.

- Sarah Shahi

About, Emerson, Bit, Royal

I'm a tomboy myself and have always been incredibly athletic.

- Sarah Shahi

Always, Been, Incredibly, Athletic

As a parent, you experience the most of everything. The most love, the most fear, the most hurt and the most tired, the most of every emotion.

- Sarah Shahi

Love, Parent, Most, Hurt

Let me tell you, I've never heard a man whine more than Jason Mamoa getting knocked around by little ol' me.

- Sarah Shahi

Knocked, More, Tell, Jason

I had a home birth because I really believe in the body's natural ability to give birth. The medical profession has kind of warped women's minds into thinking we don't know how to birth and we need doctors and epidurals and Pitocin.

- Sarah Shahi

Medical, Believe, Had, Doctors

I hate girls who complain, 'Oh, guys are looking at me!' But I love it when guys check me out. It just feels great.

- Sarah Shahi

Love, Check, Feels, Complain

I did karate for about three years. When I was going into Miss Texas, my mom said, 'Let's not do karate this year. Let's not have any knocked-out teeth on the stage.'

- Sarah Shahi

Year, Going, About, Miss

It's fun to work on location because you get the look and feel of everything, but it's nice to be on a stage because you can control the elements.

- Sarah Shahi

Work, Control, Feel, Elements

My mother raised three kids on her own, so I was taught that to be a working mom was a good thing.

- Sarah Shahi

Own, Raised, A Good Thing, Good Thing

To sit next to Walter Hill, and to be able to exchange ideas back and forth, and for him to be able to tell you that he likes what you're doing - I don't know. I kind of pinch myself.

- Sarah Shahi

Doing, Next, Pinch, Likes

Once you're sort of pigeonholed into something, it's quite difficult to get out of it. I have no aversion to playing a gay character again, but it would definitely have to be the right role.

- Sarah Shahi

Difficult, Role, Again, Aversion

I can take a newspaper and make it a lethal weapon.

- Sarah Shahi

Newspaper, Weapon, Take, Lethal

I'm a wife and a mother. I don't want to be immature; I have to be ready at all times.

- Sarah Shahi

Mother, Wife, Times, Immature

My biggest fantasy was to have a pie thrown in my face, and I always said whoever did that, that's the guy I'd marry.

- Sarah Shahi

Fantasy, Always, Marry, Pie

I like a man who can come out and say he's nervous on the first date. I think that would be really cute.

- Sarah Shahi

Think, Date, I Think, Cute

I have an incredibly dark, mysterious, witchy side and another side that's very bubbly and cheerleader-esque.

- Sarah Shahi

Mysterious, Very, Side, Incredibly

Plyometrics. Hate them. Enough already. Jumping around, using your own body weight is so hard to me. How did we do it as kids?

- Sarah Shahi

Own, Weight, Using, Jumping

I just like to go where the material is, whether that's TV, or movies, or the stage. As long as it's great writing, it's pretty much something I can't resist.

- Sarah Shahi

Pretty, Like, TV, Resist

Just because we are women doesn't mean the only roles we can play are that of the finger-shaking girlfriend.

- Sarah Shahi

Play, Mean, Girlfriend, Roles

I love guns. I love shooting guns.

- Sarah Shahi

Love, Guns, I Love, Shooting

I'm not one to be messed with. I can be bad when it needs to happen.

- Sarah Shahi

Bad, Happen, Needs, Messed

It doesn't matter what people say or what the rules say or what you're supposed to do, you go after what's in your heart.

- Sarah Shahi

Rules, Go, Say, People Say

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