Meet Maya Acra

We recently connected with Maya Acra and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maya, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Short Version:
“ When I was 16, I represented Japan at Model United Nations, won a diplomacy award, and was even offered a scholarship to study International Affairs. But a conversation with a diplomat who admitted his big speech changed nothing made me realize that field would frustrate me. I wanted to make real impact, not just deliver nice speeches in fancy hotels.
Since childhood, comedy has been my compass. I wasn’t shaped by politicians or diplomats—I was raised on Comedy Central. Seinfeld, Friends, That ’70s Show, and Lebanon’s own SNL-style show SLCHI were my heroes. They validated my frustrations, made me laugh through tough times, and showed me that comedians and actors—not diplomats—are often the ones who truly change lives.
I studied economics and later switched to Advertising and Marketing, thriving in agencies like Wunderman Thompson and building my own social media following to over 400K. But even while succeeding in advertising, opportunities like acting on Watan 3a Watar (the “SNL of the West Bank”) reminded me that I was born to be in front of the camera. My sketches went viral, and I felt that spark again—the joy of connecting with people through laughter.
That pull brought me to New York, where I earned my O1B Artist Visa and jumped into the comedy scene. Since then, I’ve performed at Comic Strip Live, The Stand, and Broadway Comedy Club, and every stage reminds me why I’m here. My purpose is to empower people, challenge stereotypes, and spread kindness through comedy. Life is too short to be serious—if I can make people laugh and feel less alone, then I’ve already made the change I once hoped to find in diplomacy.”

Long Version: When I was 16, I attended Model United Nations representing Japan, a country I’ve always been fascinated by. I won a diplomacy award, and shortly after, I was offered a 25% scholarship to major in International Affairs at the Lebanese American University. My economics teacher introduced me to professionals in diplomacy, and I began attending events with the Lions Club and others in that field.
I vividly remember one afternoon at Zeitouna Bay, speaking with someone who proudly told me about a speech he gave in front of the Saudi ambassador—only to admit that it ultimately changed nothing. That moment stuck with me. I realized that while I admired the idea of working at the United Nations and “making a difference,” diplomacy might frustrate me. The speeches, the status, the titles, the formalities—none of it felt like true change.
At the same time, I had always been drawn to comedy and storytelling. Looking back, the people who actually shaped my worldview were not diplomats or politicians, but actors and comedians. Comedy Central raised me. Seinfeld, Friends, The Nanny, That ‘70s Show, Lizzie McGuire, That’s So Raven, Third Rock from the Sun—and in Lebanon, our own SNL-style show, SLCHI—these were my heroes. They made me feel less alone, validated my frustrations, and made life brighter. No politician ever had that effect on me.
At 18, I turned down the scholarship in International Affairs and chose economics instead. I excelled—straight As and Bs in microeconomics, macroeconomics, marketing, international business—but my heart wasn’t in it. My dad noticed and encouraged me to pursue something creative, like fashion design. To balance both my business and artistic sides, I switched to Advertising and Marketing.
That choice gave me a foundation I still benefit from today. I interned at Impact BBDO, worked for Lebanon’s leading TV media company, and later joined Wunderman Thompson in Jordan. I was thriving in advertising, and when I left Wunderman, they kept asking me for a year if I’d return. I had also built my own social media presence to over 400K followers, collaborated with brands, and even won a Digital Stallion Award in Dubai for a comedic campaign with Fem Arabia.
But the universe kept nudging me back to performance. In Jordan, while directing shoots at my day job, I was cast in Watan 3a Watar—the “SNL of the West Bank,” as CNN called it. My sketches went viral, especially one about picking watermelons, and people still recognize me for it years later. That experience reminded me that while I was good at advertising, I was born to be in front of the camera.
Despite my success in the Middle East, I couldn’t ignore my dream of pursuing comedy in America. Every day, I found myself researching flights to New York. Eventually, I listened to that inner voice, applied for my O1B Artist Visa, and got it.
In New York, I dove into the comedy scene. At the PIT, my teacher Chris Griggs told me, “You’re a star, what are you doing here? Go be a star.” At UCB, Sarah Parsons called me an overachiever for creating two characters instead of one. I’ve since performed stand-up all over NYC—Comic Strip Live, The Stand, Broadway Comedy Club—and I’ve been crushing it.
My purpose is simple: to empower people, break stereotypes, and spread kindness through comedy. Life is too short to be serious all the time. A laugh can validate someone’s pain, make them feel less alone, or simply brighten their day. That, to me, is real change.
I came to America with the dream of becoming a household name in comedy. It’s not an easy path, and I don’t know if I’ll fully achieve it—but I owe it to myself to try. I have a safety net back in the Middle East, but my heart is here. My legacy, I hope, will be reminding people that laughter is power, and that sometimes comics can change the world more than diplomats ever could.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Since moving to America, I’ve been documenting my life as a comedian chasing a dream in New York City—the struggles, the hustle, the constant moving between apartments, and of course the comedy itself. My favorite platform is YouTube (@mayaacra), where I share 10-minute vlogs that mix stand-up bits, street pranks, and the realities of trying to “make it” without being a nepo baby. That’s the best place to follow my journey in real time.

Beyond YouTube, I’m active across Instagram (@mayaacra, @whatevermayawants, @whatevermayawears for fashion, and @whatevermayapaints for art). My website is mayaacra.com, and you’ll also find me on TikTok (@mayaacra). Each platform shows a different side of me: comedy, style, painting, or just everyday life.

I’m also a musician at heart—I wrote a playful song about Bill Gates, and I have another track inspired by The Wizard Liz that I plan to release soon on YouTube. Creativity has always been my way of processing the world, whether through comedy, art, fashion, or music. I also host the Blue Media Podcast and produced over 400 street interview videos you can find on my facebook page Maya Acra and Tiktok, which got me featured in NYC Magazine as one of the TikTokers to follow.

Sustainability is another passion of mine. I launched SwapnSlay.com, a rental program in partnership with Haverdash. While that project closed when Haverdash, I’m still exploring ways to merge sustainability and fashion—possibly by relaunching SwapnSlay or expanding Whatever Maya Wears to resell and repurpose outfits I’ve worn.

At the heart of everything I do is connection—making people laugh, validating their frustrations, and leaving them a little lighter than before. My dream is to one day perform with SNL, Jimmy Fallon, or the Impractical Jokers, but until then, I’ll keep creating, painting, singing, and making comedy that reaches people where they are.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Trust Your Instincts & Keep Showing Up
Don’t listen to people you don’t actually look up to. I’ll take advice from a billionaire, but not from a depressed, lonely comedian projecting their fears onto me. At the same time, you’ve got to be resilient—you’re going to bomb on stage, get rejected, fail, and still have to show up the next day. Trust your gut, take the hits, and keep going.

Protect Your Energy & Be Adaptable
Time is your most valuable resource. Some people will want you to give up on yourself just to feel better about their own lives. Fuck them. Don’t waste your time. At the same time, be willing to pivot. I’ve reinvented myself so many times—International Affairs student, economist, advertising exec, painter, comedian, content creator—and every single switch added skills I use today. Adaptability isn’t about losing yourself, it’s about growing.

Discipline & Storytelling
I grew up in Lebanon, and I lost my sister when I was 12. Being traumatized and not going to therapy, discipline didn’t come naturally – you know, but having a routine and rules for yourself isn’t boring—it’s freedom. It’s what lets you actually make your art, your comedy, your life. And storytelling? That’s everything. Whether it’s on stage, in my vlogs, or through my art, being authentic and consistent is how you connect and leave a mark.

At the end of the day, trust yourself, protect your energy, stay disciplined, and tell your story. If you can do that, you’re unstoppable.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! I love collaborations—that’s one of the main reasons I’m in New York. When I went to Los Angeles, I had the chance to act with Hannah Stocking, and I’d love to work with her again, as well as creators like Anwar, Lele Pons, Hailey Bailey, The Beast, and really anyone who’s shaped the social media comedy world—we were all raised by Jenna Marbles, right? My “train” video has 16 million views on YouTube and was even featured on yerr.nyc, so it’s wild that Impractical Jokers haven’t reached out yet. Jimmy Fallon? Hello? SNL? Lorne Michaels? I love you!

I’m always looking for creative, ambitious people who want to make content that’s funny, bold, and connects with audiences. If you’re reading this and want to collaborate, the best way to reach me is via email at [email protected] or Instagram DMs. I’m all about partnerships that push boundaries and make people laugh—life’s too short for solo TikTok videos in a nice apartment overseas.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Image credits:

George Stephan @visionmaniaus
Dencil Rolle Jr @dencilrolljr
Rainstorm Events @raineventsandproductions
Rabih Chehab @rabih.chehab
El Watfa @elwatfa_official
The Art of Fashion TV @theartoffashion.tv

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