Actor Mena Massoud has opened up about his evolved perspective on the entertainment industry, five years after candidly discussing his struggles to land auditions following his starring role in Disney's "Aladdin."
Speaking at a New York City screening of his latest film "Wish You Were Here," the 33-year-old actor reflected on his journey since the 2019 blockbuster. "I think it's a mentality shift more than anything," Massoud told PEOPLE magazine. "We can get stuck in looking at things in a negative way or a positive way."
The actor, who filmed "Aladdin" in 2017, acknowledged his growth over the years. "I think you mature as you go through this industry and realize we're pretty lucky to do what we're doing," he said. "There's ups and downs in everything, and as long as you keep that passion for what you're doing, that's the most important thing."
This marks a notable change from his 2019 interview with The Daily Beast, where he revealed he hadn't received "a single audition" after "Aladdin" grossed $1 billion worldwide. At the time, he also spoke about the challenges faced as a Middle Eastern actor, often being considered a "wild card" in an industry favoring white actors.
Since then, Massoud has built a steady career, appearing in Netflix's "The Royal Treatment" (2022), "The Sacrifice Game" (2023), and now "Wish You Were Here," directed by Julia Stiles. In his latest role, he plays Adam, a character who "finds out something devastating about his life and has to find the joy in it."
Reflecting on his career path, Massoud shared advice for his younger self: "I would tell myself to maybe go for it a little sooner." He praised colleagues like Stiles and co-star Isabelle Fuhrman, who began their careers as children, noting "there's such an advantage to doing that."
The actor's journey from expressing frustration over limited opportunities to embracing industry challenges showcases a remarkable evolution in perspective, demonstrating resilience in navigating Hollywood's competitive landscape.