We recently had the chance to connect with Yasemin Arifoska and have shared our conversation below.
Yasemin, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Every single time I’m on set!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! My name is Yasemin Arifoska, and I am an actress and model from Switzerland with a passion for telling stories.
A lot has changed since our last Interview!
I recently transitioned from working as an ocean sea freight agent to fully dedicating myself to my dream of performing internationally. Over the past 2 years, I have gained experience on film sets, in commercials, and in photoshoots, building a foundation that continues to grow stronger with every project.
I believe storytelling has no borders, and my goal is to inspire and connect people everywhere through my craft. At the moment, I’m expanding my portfolio with both acting and modeling projects while training at the Drama Academy, preparing myself for opportunities in Europe and beyond.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Good question… Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a small kid with a vivid imagination. As a child, I would spend hours creating stories and writing them down, acting them out in theater with my friends and siblings, and slipping into different characters as if they were part of my everyday life. I was fearless in my creativity, curious about people and their emotions, and fascinated by the way stories could move others.
Growing up, I felt the pressure to take the more “secure” path and pursued a stable job. But deep down, I never lost that child who wanted to live through stories and bring them to life. Going all in into acting feels like returning to that original version of myself. The girl who was free, expressive, and full of belief that her dreams had no limits.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Definitely caring too much about the opinions of others. For the longest time, I let the outside world dictate what I should do, how I should look, and how my life needs to look like. It kept me small.
It sounds silly, but everything changed when my dwarf hamster, Belvy, passed away at almost 2 years old. It was a turning point for me. I realized how extremely quick time passes, and I will forever regret spending so much of it on people who were only “sunny day friends,” instead of being fully present with and for her. That huge loss taught me the value of time and where I choose to invest my energy.
Now, I live by the belief that life is far too short to care about what others think. We are all literally just living on a floating rock. So why should we waste this precious time?
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Wow, that‘s a difficult one!
People love to romanticize “overnight success,” as if stars appear out of nowhere. In reality, every “overnight” story is built on years of quiet work, rejections over rejections, and persistence. Pretending otherwise makes new talents feel like they’re “too late” if they don’t blow up immediately. Which is unfair and untrue. To be honest, I was clinging on that too at the beginning. But I quickly learned that everyone is on their own unique journey and that comparison is the worst thing one can do.
A quote that always keeps me going is „rejection is redirection“! It is so true and always inspiring me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am finally doing what I was born to do. For the longest time time, I followed what I was told to do by society. I worked in a safe job, but deep down I knew I was ignoring the fire inside of me. Walking away from that path was terrifying, but also the most liberating decision of my life. But still, I am thankful for all the knowledge I have gained. Education is important, and I was also able to grow during this time.
Acting and modeling are not just careers for me, they are my calling. It‘s just the way I can express my soul and connect with others. I believe we all come into this world with a gift, and mine is to tell stories, to embody emotions, and to inspire and support people through my work. I’m proud to say I am no longer living someone else’s script, I’m writing my own.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Yaseminarifoska
Image Credits
The 2 studio pictures are done by Lucia Samira Photography for the brand Fragile Base
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
