Reinvention in Motion: Mais Hamdan on Identity, Timing and Taking Back Her Story

 

At this year’s El Gouna Film Festival, Jordanian actress and singer Mais Hamdan sat down with Arabian Moda for an unfiltered and deeply introspective conversation. 

Once known for her comedic impersonations and early TV fame, she now stands at a turning point, closing a chapter built on versatility and opening a new one rooted in depth, presence, and self-definition. Candid and sharp, she reflects on growth, timing, and what it truly means to reinvent yourself while already in the spotlight.

AM: You became famous so young. Do you think this early start shaped your personality and humility?
Mais Hamdan: I think so, yes. I started at 16, first with commercials, then as a TV presenter, and later on MBC. Nothing came suddenly, success came step by step. I never had the “overnight star” moment. When you grow gradually inside fame, you don’t get intoxicated by it.

AM: So fame never fascinated you?
Mais Hamdan: Fame is nice, of course, but I’m fascinated by success, not fame. Fame without substance is empty. What matters to me is growth, evolution, craft.

AM: You’re known for being multi-talented: singing, impressions, acting. Did that versatility ever become a limitation?
Mais Hamdan: Yes, absolutely. People love you for what you’re good at, but sometimes they love you so much for it that they don’t allow you to become something else. The impersonations became a box, even if it came from talent. 

AM: Was there a moment when you realized you needed to redefine your identity?
Mais Hamdan: Yes. I took a long, honest look at myself and I asked: “Are they seeing me, or a persona?” I wanted depth, not repetition. Rebranding started internally first, not externally.

AM: And the haircut became a symbol of that shift?
Mais Hamdan: It did. People came up with the craziest conclusions, trauma, illness, breakdowns, but the truth is simple: I always wanted short hair. I just stopped postponing myself. It was a reset.

AM: You’ve lived in many Arab countries. Which one shaped you the most?
Mais Hamdan: Lebanon, by far. I lived there for years and it formed a huge part of my independence. I don’t get homesick because I was raised to be self-reliant very early. You learn to carry your home with you. 

AM: You’ve been very open about one regret, not fully capitalizing on your success in Lebanon. Why do you feel that way?
Mais Hamdan: Because timing is everything. I left at a peak moment. I should have stayed longer and built more territory for myself there. I don’t sugarcoat it, I moved too early. But I also believe life gives second windows.

AM: Your sisters are also in the public eye. What is it like all sharing the same industry?
Mais Hamdan: Intense. When we sit together, it’s 90% industry talk. We understand each other’s stress, ambition, and fears. The empathy is instant, and so is the honesty.

AM: You worked in Saudi before it became the powerhouse it is today. How do you view that transformation?
Mais Hamdan: Back then, it wasn’t an industry, just experimentation. Now it’s infrastructure, investment, vision. They built a real scene from scratch. They’re giving opportunities the region never had before.

AM: So what comes next for you?
Mais Hamdan: Depth. That’s the next chapter. Depth in the characters I choose, in how I present myself, in the energy I give to the world. I don’t chase noise anymore, I’m building presence.