10 Things We Learned About Yasmin Raeis From Her ABtalks Interview

Egyptian-Palestinian actress Yasmin Raeis opened up about the experiences that shaped her, from growing up between cultures to spending years not knowing what happened to her father and losing her mother during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a heartfelt conversation with Anas Bukhash on ABtalks, she shared personal stories about family, identity, motherhood, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Here are 10 things we learned about her from the episode.

1- Yasmin Raeis was born in Kuwait to a Palestinian father and an Egyptian mother

She was just 10 years old when the Gulf War broke out in 1990, turning her childhood upside down and forcing her family to leave Kuwait.

2- Her mother fought to get her three children across the border

Because of his Palestinian identity and the complications surrounding his documents, Yasmin’s father could not make the journey with them. Her mother insisted on crossing with Yasmin and her two siblings, despite the difficulties they faced because the children were also Palestinian.

3- She spent around nine years waiting for her father

After they were separated, Yasmin had no clear answers about where he was or whether he was alive. She continued believing he would return and writing him letters, only to discover later that her mother had hidden them because they were never reaching him.

4- A dream helped her begin accepting her father’s absence

When Yasmin was around 19, she dreamed that her father held her hand and reassured her that he was okay. She woke up feeling warmth in her hand, and the experience became a turning point in accepting that he might not return; afterward, she began saying “Allah yerhamu” when speaking about him.

5- She was a rebellious child who questioned the restrictions placed on girls

Yasmin wanted the same freedom as boys and resented being told to be careful simply because she was a girl. Over time, however, she came to appreciate being a woman and reflected on how those early experiences shaped her perspective.

6- She wrote short stories and diary-like pieces before becoming an actress

Writing was one of Yasmin’s creative outlets growing up, giving her a way to express her thoughts and experiences before she pursued acting professionally.

7- She is afraid of blood and found it difficult to face her mother’s death

Yasmin shared that she cannot bear blood or burials. Her mother was diagnosed with advanced liver cancer in 2019, shortly before the premiere of Thief of Baghdad, and passed away in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when accessing medical care was especially difficult. Yasmin also spoke about how hard it was to see her mother, whom she had always known as a strong woman, lying still.

8- She sees herself as a mother first and an actress second

Yasmin spoke about wanting her son, Selim, to always feel loved and protected. She recalled realizing how deeply he understood her love when he told her that “I love you” was what she said most often.

9- Her divorce affected her son, but she still believes love is necessary

Yasmin reflected on what she learned from her first marriage, including that a husband cannot replace a father. Although she acknowledged that her divorce affected Selim, she did not give up on love or the idea of building a family, later remarrying and describing herself, her husband, and her son as a package deal.

10- After spending years trying to stay strong, she wants to find peace

Yasmin admitted that constantly holding herself together can be exhausting and that she does not always feel as tough as people might think. When Anas asked her to sum herself up in one word, she chose “peace,” expressing her wish to embrace her softer side.

Through her conversation with Anas, Yasmin shared a more personal side of her story, shaped by separation, loss, motherhood, and the search for acceptance. Her reflections show how she continues to discover herself while learning to let go of the pressure to always be strong.