Rabat – Moroccan fashion model Abla Sofy has recently made her transition into the world of acting with her Hollywood big screen debut “Bully High.” She captivated viewers with her remarkable performance in the movie which she described as a “powerful and thought-provoking project.”
In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News, Sofy shared her experiences and aspirations, as well as shed light on the message behind the movie and what inspired her to pursue a career in the film industry.
Bully High tackles widespread and controversial issues such as bullying and religious prejudice, sparking key conversations and encouraging audiences to stand against discrimination.
The message behind the film, “Silence is the answer,” deeply resonated with Sofy, who emphasized the importance of standing for equality, fairness, respect, and kindness.
“At the end of the day, Bully High is about love and acceptance, and no judgment,” Sofy added.
In the movie, the Moroccan actress plays the role of the mother of a Muslim exchange student facing religious prejudice and bullying in an emotional flashback scene.
The role attracted her due to its relevance to her experiences as a Muslim and Arab woman living in the United States, saying that it addresses the difficulties that people like her continue to experience on a regular basis.
A scene from the movie Bully High
“Over the past 10 years or so, I’ve been a victim of stereotypes, I’ve lost jobs, and I’ve been unfairly judged because of my religion or culture,” Sofy said, stressing her belief that “nobody should be discriminated against based on religion, nationality, race, color, or sexual orientation. Nobody!”
The Moroccan model extended her thanks to the movie writer and director Bill McAdams for giving her the opportunity not only to “break onto the big screen in such an incredibly personal way,” but to also “be a voice for such an important message.”
In addition, she commended the film for “expanding social horizons and highlighting other people’s realities,” as well as its ability to educate people on different social issues and invoke empathy.
From Runway to Big Screen
Sofy’s journey in the fashion industry began at the age of 21, shortly after she arrived in Los Angeles where she met Palestinian-American real estate developer Mohammed Hadid.
She worked as his personal stylist during his appearance on various reality television series, including The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Shahs of Sunset, and Second Wives Club.
“Mohammed loved my style and sense of fashion, and eventually introduced me to fashion icon and GUESS co-founder Paul Marciano, who almost immediately asked me to model for him,” Sofy said.
However, she turned Marciano’s offer down and instead worked for his company as a stylist and designer. With GUESS, Sofy worked on campaigns with famous celebrities, including singers Camilla Cabello and Jennifer Lopez, and model Hailey Baldwin.
Read also: Moroccan Model Abla Sofy to Be New Face of Guess
After two years of working with the American clothing company, Sofy was approached by Moroccan producer RedOne to star in a music video with French Montana, Daddy Yankee, and Amanda Cerny.
“The video received over 100 million views. I received a lot of exposure after that and was again approached by Mr. Marciano about modeling for him. This time I accepted, becoming the first Arab woman to be featured in an international GUESS campaign!” Sofy recalled.
Having achieved notable success in the fashion industry, she decided in 2020 to seriously follow her passion for acting and pursue roles that would enable her to make a deeper impact.
“In 2021, I started taking my television career to the next level as well, and was a fashion TV host on MBc1, which is the biggest Arabic middle eastern channel,” she explained.
Sofy expressed her excitement for future projects, disclosing that she is currently working on a TV show in her home country Morocco. She also expressed her desire to take her television career internationally, showcasing her talent in multiple languages.
Balancing her acting and fashion careers poses no challenge for Sofy, who explained that the two industries are inherently interconnected. “Brands love to work with personalities and support talents they can see grow. And more opportunities will come out of it,” she explained.
Sofy offered a valuable piece of advice to aspiring models and actors who hope to make a breakthrough in the entertainment industry abroad, especially in the US.
“It’s the same piece of advice I wish I could go back in time and give my teenage self when I wanted everything right away, right now. BE PATIENT,” she said.
Reflecting on her own journey, she stressed the importance of building a strong foundation and presenting the best version of oneself. “The best things take time to achieve,” she wisely concluded.
