Award-Winning Voice Actor | Actor | Public Speaker
Champion for More Positive, Authentic Representation of Muslims in Film & Television
Some voices aren’t just meant to be heard—they’re meant to shift the world. Yasmeen Ansari-Roberts grew up knowing hers was one of them. Not because it was the loudest, but because it refused to stay silent. Born in Los Angeles but raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Yasmeen’s early years were shaped by contrast, culture, and quiet strength. In a world where girls like her weren’t always encouraged to speak up, she became fluent in resilience. Language fascinated her, and storytelling pulled at her spirit—not just as a form of entertainment, but as a powerful force of connection and truth. She saw early on how stories could challenge assumptions, build bridges, and heal divides. She didn’t just want to tell stories—she wanted to change them. Dreaming of one day becoming a filmmaker and documentarian, Yasmeen imagined using her voice to bring light to untold narratives, to humanize the misunderstood, and to create the kind of representation she had always longed to see. Her education took place within the walls of an all-girls international school, where she found herself face-to-face with a brand-new British curriculum. It was unfamiliar and rigorous—but Yasmeen met it head-on. Alongside her academic journey, she discovered the power of poetry. Writing verse gave her an emotional language to make sense of the world around her and within her. The works of Shakespeare, Yeats, Tennyson, and especially E.E. Cummings were more than school assignments—they were sparks. She imagined her own poetry someday being studied by students just like her, finding reflections of themselves in her words. Still, something deeper was calling. Performance, communication, and creative media began tugging at her dreams. She knew what it felt like not to see yourself represented. She also knew that staying silent was not an option. And so she chose to keep going—not despite the barriers, but because of them. In 2017, Yasmeen made a leap of faith, moving from Saudi Arabia to England. She was a stay-at-home mom who hadn’t worked in over two decades. With limited experience, no industry connections, and very little free time, she began building a brand-new career from her laptop. It wasn’t easy—but Yasmeen had never been afraid of hard work. She networked, researched, trained with acclaimed voice coaches, and carved out a growing presence on social media—all while raising six children and navigating financial limitations. There were no shortcuts, just passion and persistence.
Her breakthrough came in 2023, when she won her first award for an audiobook performance on the Rebel Girls app—a poetic full-circle moment that honored stories of bold, trailblazing women. Her voice, once searching for a place to belong, had become a guiding light for others.
But that was just the beginning.
Yasmeen completed public speaker training, became a speaker coach, and began honing her skills as an aspiring actor. With fierce determination, she continues to work toward attending acting school—committed to opening doors in an industry where women in hijab are still rewriting the rules.
Amid her rising creative journey, she remains deeply rooted as a mother, raising six incredible children (five of them boys!) with unwavering love and presence. Her home is a sanctuary, her children her greatest motivation, and her work a living example of what’s possible when you refuse to give up. Yasmeen has now lent her voice to projects for Disney+, Nat Geo, Hulu, Yaqeen Institute, Muslim Kids TV, and more. She even served as a virtual travel guide for Vidi Guides, guiding listeners through Riyadh, Dubai, and York. Her mission, however, has never been about spotlight—it’s about service. She tells stories that make others feel seen, heard, and worthy. If she could reach back in time and hold the hand of her younger self—the girl whispering poems to herself in quiet corners—she’d say: You survive. You belong. Your voice is needed. Don’t shrink to fit into their expectations. Take up space. Live your truth. Own your story.
Today, Yasmeen mentors aspiring speakers, helping them unearth their authentic voices. She plans to coach others toward their own breakthroughs, while continuing to craft content that empowers and uplifts. Every challenge she’s faced has been a chapter in her story—not a barrier, but a building block. Her journey is a beacon for underrepresented women, for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, and for the next generation of dreamers who are still learning to trust their voice. Yasmeen Ansari-Roberts didn’t wait for permission—she created her place in the world. And now she’s lighting the way for others to do the same.
In sharing her story with Humble Beginning Stories, Yasmeen hopes to ignite the courage in others to rise—boldly, truthfully, and without apology. Because beginnings don’t limit us. They shape us. And how far we go… that’s up to us.
