We had a little chat with Shereen Tarek Ahmed, an actress and singer whose journey has taken her from childhood summers in Alexandria to Broadway stages, the White House, and the GEM grand opening. She shared stories about growing up between two cultures, discovering her passion, and the twists, detours, and delightful chaos that shaped the artist she is today.
Young Shereen: Dancing Before She Could Walk
Shereen’s love for performing began almost as soon as she could stand. In home videos, her Teta, mom, and dad drum on the table while two-year-old Shereen twirls for the whole room. “I’ve just always had an affinity for performing. It never mattered to me what form it was in,” she says.
But despite that early spark, she tried to push it aside. She studied criminal justice, explored human rights in Prague, and interned at Baltimore City Mental Health Court. Still, she found herself slipping away to auditions, juggling jobs to pay for lessons, and performing anywhere she could. “I realized this is something I must pursue or else I’d regret it for the rest of my life.” So she graduated, moved to New York, and booked her first job within a week.
And through all of it, her family simply held the door open. At one pivotal moment, her mom told her, “Shereen, it’s a privilege to dream.” Those words stayed with her, softened the fear, and ultimately guided her toward the life she was meant to claim.
Life on the High Seas: Cruise Ships as a Classroom
Before Broadway, Shereen spent some time performing on cruise ships, visiting more than 30 countries and singing everything from Ariana Grande hits to Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. The experience toughened her voice and broadened her range. More importantly, it taught her how to connect with audiences from all over the world, night after night.
Broadway and the Art of Being Eliza Doolittle
Shereen’s Broadway path wasn’t straightforward. She arrived in New York without an agent, without union status, and without the résumé people expected. She went to an open call for My Fair Lady, joined the ensemble, and slowly worked her way up.
She wasn’t an understudy at first—but her work ethic changed that. She quietly learned the role of Eliza Doolittle from the wings, rehearsing on her own, studying the cast, and preparing for a moment that wasn’t guaranteed. When the chance finally came, she stepped in with confidence.
That moment made history: Shereen became the first Egyptian—and first Arab—to headline a Broadway production. A young girl who once dreamt was suddenly the star of the show.
A Magical Night at the White House
One of Shereen’s proudest moments came when she performed at the White House for President Biden. The halls were covered in Christmas decorations, the whole room glowing. She remembers stepping forward to sing “La Vie En Rose” and taking in the surrealness of it all.
Pride and Tears at the Grand Egyptian Museum
At the Grand Egyptian Museum opening, Shereen stole the spotlight. Standing center stage, fireworks blazing and the choir soaring behind her, she felt the weight and thrill of the moment. “I burst out into tears during that number. I felt overwhelmed with gratitude and awe… I felt so proud to be Egyptian,” she says. The night was a celebration of home, heritage, and everything she’d worked for.
She shares with us a little behind-the-scenes story: she spent more than an hour hidden behind the giant moon onstage—unable to sit, unable to drink water, rehearsing in her tight gold costume. At the last minute, she decided to flare her gold cape while singing, a spontaneous choice that later inspired thousands of fan drawings. Exhausted, cramped, and hidden from view, that small, playful moment ended up becoming one of the most iconic images of the night.
Dreams on the Horizon
Shereen isn’t slowing down. She’s writing a one-woman show, pushing deeper into TV and film, and dreaming up ways to bring Broadway to Egypt. Being split between two worlds, Egyptian and American, is her greatest source of inspiration. “I don’t fit neatly in a box,” she says, which is exactly what makes her voice so fresh, funny, and human.
Conclusion
Shereen’s story is one of persistence, courage, and a deep love for storytelling that started long before she could pronounce the word “stage.” From Alexandria’s lively streets to New York’s most iconic theaters, she’s carried her heritage, her humor, and her heart into every room she steps into. And if her journey so far is any indication, she’s only just getting started, ready to take on new stages, new stories, and new dreams, all while staying true to the girl who once danced in her family’s living room.
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