WITHIN/WITHOUT – Shabana Azeez
Actor and forever-student Shabana Azeez is insatiably inquisitive. She is an artist prepared to surrender to her practice completely, and has crafted her creative identity around a love for walking in someone else’s shoes. To Azeez it's the greatest honour of all.
The star has shifted her entire world as the lead in coming- of-age stories not unlike her own; from her breakout role in the psychological thriller Birdeater (2023) to the animated Lesbian Space Princess (2024) and her most notable role (so far) as Victoria Javadi in acclaimed medical drama The Pitt (2025).
In a conversation trail between East and West coast, Azeez connects the independent offerings of Australia with the artistic playground of LA, detailing the movements and motives behind her rising force. She speaks candidly, with a humility that clearly comes very naturally, cutting through the smoke and mirrors of the Hollywood glitz and glam in her pursuit to be ‘messy and real and icky’ – that is, to be human.
Read more in print, Issue 6 available here
WORDS JOELLA MARCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY & ART DIRECTION OLIVIA REPACI
STYLING ROSALIND SEEHUSEN
HAIR & MAKEUP ASHLEIGH CARPENTER
VIDEO ASSIST SIMONE TAYLOR
JEWELLERY EXCLUSIVELY PANDORA
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