By skyforbes 
“You don’t have to have a waitressing job while you’re trying to make it as an actor. When I graduated college, it felt like everyone said, ‘You’ve got to waitress until you land your big role.’ But once you’re in it, you realize there are so many flexible jobs that can support you while you’re still going after your dream.”
I had the pleasure of talking with Yasmine Sahid. Yasmine is an American actress, host, writer, and content creator whose fast-rising career in the entertainment industry is shaped by a blend of comedic sensibility, online influence, and an evolving presence in film and television. Her acting debut in the upcoming Prime Video comedy-drama series Overcompensating, premiering May 15, marks a significant milestone in her transition from digital platforms to mainstream media.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sahid is the daughter of Sierra Leonean immigrants. She developed a passion for performance early in life, participating in school and local theater productions throughout her childhood. Recognizing her dedication, her mother supported her move to Los Angeles — provided she pursued a formal education in the arts. Sahid went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Loyola Marymount University and has since made Los Angeles her home for over a decade.
After college, Sahid’s path initially followed a familiar route for aspiring actors: auditions, part-time jobs, and uncertain progress. However, the COVID-19 pandemic became an unexpected turning point. With much of the entertainment industry on pause, she turned to TikTok as a creative outlet. Her comedic sketches, often rooted in pop culture and nostalgia, quickly gained traction. Her distinct voice, coupled with an engaging on-screen presence, helped her amass a combined following of more than 3 million across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Sahid’s online success translated into mainstream opportunities. She has since hosted major entertainment events, including the red carpet coverage for the SAG Awards and the Oscars, as well as the amfAR Gala in Cannes — all in collaboration with TikTok. She has also attended prominent industry gatherings such as the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals.
Her role in Overcompensating, a series created by and starring Benito Skinner, marks her first major acting credit on a widely distributed television series. The show follows a closeted former football player navigating college life and friendship, themes Sahid has described as “relatable and hilarious.” Her performance adds a layer of humor and emotional nuance to the ensemble cast, reflecting her comedic roots while extending her range as a dramatic performer.
In interviews, Sahid speaks openly about the challenges and unpredictability of her industry. She has described early missteps — including an ill-suited post-college living arrangement — as instructive moments that helped her establish stronger boundaries and personal clarity. She also acknowledges the emotional toll of an entertainment career, emphasizing the need for persistence, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
While acting remains a central pursuit, Sahid continues to expand her creative interests. She is currently in the studio recording her debut music project — a reinterpretation of the Frank Sinatra classic “Old Devil Moon” — and has expressed plans to release the accompanying video in the near future. Beyond music, she is developing an original television series and a stage play, both of which she hopes to bring to audiences within the coming year.
Sahid’s work is also informed by her personal values. She is actively involved in environmental advocacy, particularly in areas related to land conservation, and lends support to organizations like Girls Make Beats, a nonprofit that empowers young women to pursue careers in music production and audio engineering. These causes reflect her belief in using influence for social good and supporting marginalized voices within creative fields.
Despite her growing visibility, Sahid remains grounded in day-to-day routines that prioritize mental and physical well-being. She describes long walks, time with friends, and skincare as core elements of her self-care regimen, alongside therapy and intermittent efforts at journaling. Though she downplays her own influence, she expresses a desire to inspire community connection, encouraging others to engage more actively and openly with those around them.
In terms of professional philosophy, Sahid is candid about the lessons she’s learned. She challenges industry norms that discourage multifaceted careers, and she openly questions long-standing assumptions — such as the necessity of working in service jobs while building an acting career. Instead, she advocates for a more flexible and inclusive vision of what it means to be a working artist today.
Sahid also offers a realistic assessment of success in entertainment, noting the prevalence of inherited privilege and industry connections, while urging transparency and community among peers navigating similar challenges. “Not everyone is as successful as they seem,” she has said. “It’s actually kind of comforting — it really does feel like we’re all in this together.”
Looking ahead, Yasmine Sahid is positioned at the intersection of traditional and digital entertainment. Her trajectory suggests a career shaped not by linear advancement, but by a willingness to pivot, experiment, and embrace new mediums. With Overcompensating as a significant next step, and with projects in music and scripted storytelling on the horizon, Sahid continues to build a career defined by versatility, self-direction, and a distinctive voice in an evolving cultural landscape.
She currently lives in Los Angeles with her two American shorthair cats.
Yitzi: Yasmine, it’s such a delight to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Yasmine: I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I had a pretty good childhood. My parents are both Sierra Leonean immigrants. I was born and raised there, and it was great. I got really interested in theater at a young age. I did theater at my school and at other neighborhood schools whenever they held auditions. I just had that acting bug — or that creativity bug. I told my mom I wanted to move to Los Angeles, California, and she was like, “Yeah, you can do that, just as long as you have a plan. Go to school there so you’re not just kind of out there without direction.”
So I did. I went to Loyola Marymount University, got my BA in theater, and now I’ve been living here for about ten years. It’s been great. I guess that’s just how it all began. I started acting, started auditioning once I was in LA. Nothing was really picking up at first. Then when the pandemic hit, I thought, “You know, I’ve always wanted to create my own stuff.” I always wanted to make my own videos and comedy, so I hopped on TikTok, and it blew up. And I guess the rest is history.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories from your career, some great experiences, great sets you’ve been on. Can you share with the readers one or two stories from your professional life that most stand out in your mind?
Yasmine: Ooh, I would say being at the Oscars red carpet — working the Oscars red carpet — has been a huge one for me. In a lot of ways, it was just so unexpected. I wasn’t expecting to be there so early in my career. It was such a great experience — surreal, almost out-of-body.
And for the second one, I’d say being on set for Overcompensating was a highlight. I think it was kind of like the perfect storm, if that’s the right term. I auditioned, and Benny and I had been following each other for a while, so it was really cool to finally meet him — and to meet him on set. I also met a really close friend while working on that project. It was just a fun, great experience. Everyone was so nice and inspiring. It felt amazing to work with people who are actually in the industry, going after their dreams. Being around that kind of energy — it’s just a very good feeling. Everyone was so humble and kind.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson that you learned from it?
Yasmine: I think it was after college. It had to do with my living situation back then. I loved my roommates, but the situation was kind of wild. We had all just graduated and immediately decided to move to Hollywood — without doing the best research on the area or the apartment. It ended up not being the most ideal living situation. It was super cramped, and personality-wise, we didn’t really mesh well.
I don’t even know if I’d call it a mistake exactly, but I definitely learned a lot from it. I learned how important it is to put my own needs first when I need to. Back then, I didn’t really speak up about what I wanted or what I was comfortable with. And because I didn’t say anything, I ended up just kind of living in discomfort.
Now, from experiences like that, I’ve learned to be more confident and outspoken — especially when I feel like I’m not being heard or when my needs aren’t being met. I’ve gotten better at letting people know how I feel in the moment instead of just holding it in.
Yitzi: Yasmine, you have so much impressive work. Can you tell us about the exciting things you’re working on now and what you look to be working on in the near future?
Yasmine: I think right now I’m just waiting for Overcompensating to come out. I’m super, super stoked for that.
I also worked on this mini project — a fun little music video for the song Old Devil Moon. I’m hoping to release that within the next two weeks.
And I’ve been at home working on developing a show that I’m hoping to pitch soon, and also a play that I’d love to produce later this year. I’m trying to stay busy and creative at home, and hopefully have all of that ready either by later this year or early next year.
Yitzi: It’s amazing. So you mentioned Overcompensating. Tell us why we have to watch it.
Yasmine: Oh god, yes. It’s so funny. I finally watched the first episode at Coachella, and it was just freaking hilarious. I think it’s super relatable because it’s all about that painful freshman college experience — the awkwardness of it, making friends, trying to find your own path in a completely new environment.
It also tells the story of a queer man discovering his sexuality in college and his coming-out journey. So it’s really exciting to have a show that highlights gay, queer, LGBTQ voices — especially one written by a gay man. And he just nailed it. He really knew what to do with the show and how to direct it.
But also, it’s just funny. Like, sometimes people are just looking for a funny show to watch, and I think this is it. It’s something that’ll make you laugh and not leave you feeling heavy afterward. I’m really excited for everyone to see it.
Yitzi: Great. What are you hoping viewers take from the themes of Overcompensating?
Yasmine: I’m hoping they take away the idea of being happy in your own skin — community, friendship. And that it’s okay to try and fail. I think that’s the biggest message: it’s okay to try, mess up, and live in that awkwardness, because it’ll pass.
Yitzi: That’s great. How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Yasmin, with the character you play on the show?
Yasmine: I feel like we’re very similar. It’s funny because when I was preparing for the audition, people were like, “Yeah, I could totally see you playing this role.” She’s just so bubbly and kind of in your face, and maybe a little annoying — but I mean, I don’t think I’m annoying! I really don’t. But I do think that’s how I used to be in college and high school. I can be pretty bubbly and open.
But I think the biggest difference is that my character likes to be in people’s business, and I don’t. I have boundaries around that. It’s always fun to play someone who’s a little more out there than you are, though.
Yitzi: That’s great. What has been the most challenging role or project you’ve taken on so far, and why?
Yasmine: Ooh, challenging role or project… I’m going to be honest, I don’t think I’ve had that project yet where I’m like, “Oh God.” I’m hoping things change, especially after Overcompensating.
I’d say the biggest challenge is just sticking with your goals and dreams. Working in this industry is really not for the weak, if I’m being honest. It’s the everyday challenge of doing the work, staying active, working hard, and staying inspired.
Yitzi: This is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started in entertainment, you must have learned a lot. Can you share five things you’ve learned that you wish you knew when you first started acting and working in the industry?
Yasmine:
- Oh, that’s a good one. Okay, I would say — first — one thing I’ve learned is that a lot of the industry “rules” are pretty outdated. There are still a lot of older people in charge, even though that’s slowly changing. So sometimes you don’t have to follow every traditional path or rule — just be aware that change isn’t always welcomed easily, and that’s okay.
- Second, you can be multi-faceted. You don’t have to just be one thing. Especially now, it’s actually better if you can do multiple things.
- Third, and maybe this is a little biased, but you don’t have to have a waitressing job while you’re trying to make it as an actor. When I graduated college, it felt like everyone said, “You’ve got to waitress until you land your big role.” But once you’re in it, you realize there are so many flexible jobs that can support you while you’re still going after your dream. You can explore different options that still give you space to create. That one might be debatable, but it’s been true for me.
- Fourth, not everyone is as successful as they seem. Since being in the industry, I’ve realized a lot of people are struggling just like you. It’s actually kind of comforting — it really does feel like we’re all in this together.
- And fifth, it’s way easier said than done. There are so many people who make it because of their connections or who their parents are, and that’s not always talked about when you’re first learning how to break in. So it’s tough, and not always fair — but knowing that upfront would’ve saved me some confusion.
I hope those are helpful!
Yitzi: Can you share with the readers the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Yasmine: I would say I really like going on walks — long walks. That’s probably the biggest thing that helps both my mental and physical health. It helps me decompress and clear my head. My mind tends to run a lot, so walking gives me space to release those racing thoughts.
At night, it’s been really helpful having a skincare routine. People have gifted me a lot of skincare products over time, and that kind of encouraged me to build a routine. I used to have terrible acne, so now when someone compliments my skin, it feels really good. It’s a nice reminder that I’m taking care of something I used to feel really insecure about.
And it’s not even just for others — it’s for me. But when other people notice and say, “Oh, she takes care of herself,” it reinforces that I’m doing something right.
I also think being physically active is huge for me. And having a therapist has been really helpful too. I wish I could say journaling, but honestly, I don’t really stick with it. I know it helps, but I tend to lose track.
And then just spending time with friends, going out, reconnecting with people I care about — that’s grounding. That helps keep my mental and physical health in check.
Yitzi: Yasmine, because of your great work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could put out an idea, spread an idea, or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Yasmine: I think I’d probably start something that encourages people to reconnect with their communities and with each other.
Depending on where you live, it can feel really isolating — especially in LA. So if I could create something that helps people break out of their boxes, step outside their comfort zones, and do something new in their neighborhood, I think that could be powerful.
Maybe something like: today, go try a new restaurant, leave your headphones at home, talk to someone. Small things that build into something bigger.
Because I really believe change starts locally. When people feel more connected where they are, it creates a ripple effect. And that could grow into something much bigger and really meaningful.
Yitzi: Amazing, amazing answer. Thank you. So, how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they support you in any possible way?
Yasmine: My Instagram is @yasmine_sahid, my TikTok is @ladyyasmina1, and I think my YouTube is Lady Yasmina. You can also check me out when new music drops on Spotify under Lady Yasmina. Those are the places where I try to stay active, so you can follow me and keep up there.
Yitzi: Amazing. Well Yasmine, it’s so nice to meet you and I hope we can do this again next year.
Yasmine: Thank you. I appreciate that.