In today’s interconnected world, the power of art transcends the barriers of language, proving that creativity is unaware of borders. Whether you speak one language or many things, what really matters is your ability to express, evoke and connect through your skills. The Global Stage is currently celebrating artists from every corner of the world, and one such artist is Maia Hazel. Born in the peaceful countryside of Minas Jerre in Brazil, Maia has achieved international recognition through a journey characterized by both ambition and resilience. She didn’t stop her from doing what she loved, and did not break the barriers through her art.
Today, Maia is a force to consider, and she named herself in every part of the entertainment world. Whether it’s music, acting or modeling, Maia remains true to herself, using her unique voice and vision to make and maintain a lasting impact on people’s minds. The versatile artist made his Hollywood debut with Patty Jenkins Wonder Woman He then became the first Brazilian actor to become part of a DC feature film. Since then, she has never looked back and shattered all the barriers to becoming a well-known figure in the industry. But things weren’t easy for Maia, and she overcomes some obstacles in her life to get to where she is today. Aayush Sharma, a journalist for Coastal House Media, caught up with Maia Hazel to discuss her journey in life and the meaning of becoming an artist. Furthermore, she reveals how she never retreats from the challenge, and never lets negativity enter her life.
Maia Hazel
Here’s the complete interview:
Aayush Sharma: Your career spans these distinct artistic realms, such as film, theater, music, modeling. How do you maintain creative authenticity while navigating the expectations and aesthetics of each industry?
Maia Hazel: In other words, every part of my work as an artist is complementary. As you know, the music is in line with the visuals. And when I’m on stage, I feel very connected to the audience and people. When you’re in the theater, when you’re doing a play, there’s no mistake. You can make mistakes like life, but you need to come up with something at the moment, so the audience doesn’t realize you’ve made a mistake on stage. So when I’m doing a movie, or when I’m producing, or when I’m doing a music video, that’s not the case. As you know, I have more power to direct to see the exact image I want. So art is everything I do – that’s what saves my life. And yes, I can’t separate it. It’s a combo. Everything comes together.
Aayush Sharma: Trained at renowned institutions around the world, from Juilliard to Estorio Colazza. How did this global multilingual training shape the approach to embodying characters across cultures?
Maia Hazel: In other words, I think that’s the key. You know, we are living a dystopic reality in the world right now. So I’m always trying to connect to something new and learn something new. This is because I think that the work of actors and the research of actors will never be over. We will study for the rest of our lives. What instrument is my work? It is the mind, the voice, the body. Therefore, these three elements, three instruments, especially the mind, need to be updated. We live in this dystopian world, so things change all the time and change rapidly. So I always do courses, workshops and exchanges of eyes and get in touch with humans. We live in it now is crazy, so AI is trying to get my job, like this dystopic world, the mechanical world. Yes, I think studying is important. You will always update your mind.
Aayush Sharma: HBO’s TodxsNós, your character, Lorena, is part of a groundbreaking story about gender and identity. How did your role challenge or deepen your understanding of media expression?
Maia Hazel: That’s what you know, I was working with Vera Egito. She is one of the biggest directors I know in Brazil. She is very talented. She is very generous. And being on this HBO show and playing Lorena was a teacher and an entrepreneur – it was a lot of fun, but it was a challenge. Because my character is like a businessman, but she is also a teacher. So I tried to navigate it and find the balance on both sides. Because you know me, I’m always kidding, I’m always happy. To play this character, I tried to bring more consistency and more seriousness, like this businessman, this teacher. My mother was a teacher for many years, so playing this character is a beautiful job and a great responsibility. But it was so much fun and I was so much fun Lorrena from HBO.
Maia Hazel (Image courtesy: @mmaia/instagram)
Aayush Sharma: More than 30 recordings and 5 original music videos have been released. How do you decide which story is best told through music rather than acting or writing?
Maia Hazel: In other words, I need to understand how to decide. I haven’t decided yet. (lol). I grew up listening to Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Cartra and Regin Urbana. And, as you know, this mix of references – rock, jazz, pop, you know, Madonna, Britney – has come since I was a teenager. So I grew up with really good music. Because you know, Italy, Brazil – we have a very rich musical culture. So, regarding my music. Sometimes I just do groceries, walk the streets, or go to auditions. And then all of a sudden it comes to my mind, and I say I need to write it. So I stop everything I do, then take notes and start writing some poems. That’s how I incorporate creative processes into songwriting. And I think it’s music and film. What is a movie without a soundtrack? One complements the other.
Aayush Sharma: What social or political themes did you consciously incorporate into your lyrics?
Maia Hazel: Yes, some of my songs raps are very political. Because I have for myself what kind of artist I want to be, what kind of artist I want to be, what kind of message I want to send to people who need a little, those who know, who need a little power, and a little motivation. That’s what I want to do with my music. Because I came from everything and built an empire. As you know, I’m still building, I’m still fighting, I’m a fighter. That’s what I want my fans, my fan base and my Mayan lovers to feel when listening to my music. For example, you have power, so fight your dreams. Because if you don’t fight, no one is going to do it for you. Yes, I’ll try to put it in my music.
Aayush Sharma: You often blurred the boundaries between art and behaviorism. Have you ever felt that fusion was dangerous, both personally and professionally?
Maia Hazel: I also did the Philosopher so I might have to cancel too. And I sometimes ask myself, is ignorance more eloquent than your work? These days, in this utopian digital environment we live in, everyone wants to talk about. Everyone wants to be talking and pointing my fingers, as you know. But no one can say that since I came to this world I have been cancelled. Yes, you can’t cancel me. So lift it up. I’ll cancel me. I believe in my art. I believe in what I’m doing here. So, if you don’t like it, make it better. Or you can leave my comments section. I am not paying attention to the negativity of my life. I’m trying to protect my space, my peace and always be positive.
Maia Hazel (Image courtesy: @mmaia/instagram)
Aayush Sharma: Looking back at your first major acting work so far, what are you not learning, once the centre of your art philosophy?
Maia Hazel: So I always learn with you and you learn with me. I learn from: In other words, in this profession we are constantly learning and we are constantly amazed ourselves. Life is unpredictable, you know, you know that you are an artist. So we don’t suffer that much. But I learn a lot, but I will tell you – I keep learning. But that’s difficult for me. As you know, sometimes when I play a big character, like when I played a goddess, it was a struggle for me. Because it was hard to get out of the character. As you know, it’s really hard for us to go outside at times. For me, I can speak for myself. I love fantasy. I love being on set. I love doing it. That’s my passion. That’s all about me. But how can I return to the real world? Because fantasy is more fun when we play characters. So I leave like an empty balloon. I’m trying hard, but I think that’s the most difficult part. I don’t think I’ve learned that yet. So I always take it to the therapist.
Aayush Sharma: Is there a type of medium or project you haven’t yet explored to be hungry to direct feature films, write memoirs, or design fashion lines?
Maia Hazel: I have been thinking about the fashion line for many years and now I have completed my book. I’ve had a few opportunities and there are a few things I can’t say now, but I can say that the next song will be coming out on the 9th next month. I’ve worked with Fabio, a really good manager. He works with all the crew here, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, and now he works with me on that song, “b**ch please.” Yesterday I saw the picture – it’s crazy. It’s very political, but fun. Music bounces you back, you know, and makes you dance. I’m very excited about this.
Maia Hazel’s next track, “B**CH Please,” will be released on Friday, May 9th.
