Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 22 | HEIGHT: 5'8" | HOMETOWN: VANCOUVER, BC

Born in India, Sahar grew up in Iran and is now a Canadian citizen living in Vancouver, B.C. She is the youngest of three children and works as a professional actress in Film and Television. Recent credits include a recurring role on Blade: The Series and a part in the new film, The Watchmen.

Sahar loves the craft of creating characters that must overcome obstacles, her passion for acting has also taught her about her own emotions and potential. Sahar's ultimate goal is to become a renowned and respected actress whose work and filmmaking brings awareness to humanitarian and women's issues.

Sponsored by: Clara Couture, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

Sahar believes strongly in balance and independence in life. In order too finance her acting dream, she studies residential and commercial real estate at the University of British Columbia. She is an avid traveller and has visited more than 20 countries and 40 major cities and continuing to see new cultures and places is an important part of her life. One of her goals is to visit a new country once a year and hopes to see all the Seven Wonders of the World by the age of 30.

Sahar's most memorable trip so far has been to Thailand. Not only was she awestruck by its wonderful beauty, but she also spent part of her visit volunteering at a local orphanage. Back in Canada, Sahar also donates her time by helping the homeless population of Vancouver. She has a unique passion for helping people and taking on new challenges.

She has many interests, including following the styles of her fashion icons, golfing with her father,rollerblading around the sea wall ,riding motorcycles and spending time with animals, especially her much-loved dog. She feels blessed by life and hopes her experiences with Miss Universe Canada can enrich her and help her to continue improving her personal goals and make a difference in the world we all live in.

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? If yes, where?
University of British Columbia - Commercial and Residential Real State
The Actors Foundry - Scene Study
Lyric school of Acting - Exploration of Meisner Techniques

Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes. I work as an actress in Film, Television and Commercials.

FILM & TELEVISION
Under One Roof
Actor
My Network TV / Brian Roberts

Watchmen
Principal
Paramount Pictures / Zack Snyder

Smallville
Principal
WB

Painkiller Jane
Principal
Sci Fi / Global

Blade: The Series (7 Episodes)
Recurring
Spike TV/Various

Neal, Niki
Principal
Yash Raj Films / Arjun Saclock

COMMERCIALS
BC Lotto
SOC
BC

The Bay
Principal
Canada National

TD Bank
Principal
US National

Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
Yes. Palmer Secondary High

Have you completed University/College? If yes, where?
The Art Institute of Technology -Fashion Merchenandising and International Marketing & Buying

Have you completed any technical/professional school? If yes, where? What subject?
No

Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if english is not your native language).
English
Farsi
Currently in the process of learning Spanish.

List any special training you have had (Music, Art, Drama, Dance, etc).
Scuba Diving- Lisence
Motorcycle - Lisence
Currently learning classical piano
Steven Holmberg Private Acting Coach
Mastery Linda Darlow and Henry Mah School Creative
Scene Study Linda Darlow School Creative
Computer Basics BCIT
Two Week Intensive Simon Longmore V.A.D.A.
Scene Study Daniel Boileau V.A.D.A.
Dramatic Arts (4yrs) Various Coaches Palmer High
Actors Foundry Mathew Harrison Actors foundry
On Camera work Mark Brandon UBCP

In what spors, if any, you have participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
Motorcycles -2005 / Ongoing
Weight training -2001/ Ongoing
Rollerblading -1998/ Ongoing

Please list any schoold and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
UBC - Sauder School Of Bussiness - Currently studying residential and commercial realstate
Art Institute of Technology - Fashion Merchandising, International Marketing & Buying
Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts - Performing Arts

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over the past two years?
Pattaya Orphanage in Bangkok, Thailand. (2005)
Providing care, shelter and food for the homeless people in Vancouver.
Homelessness is a major issue in BC. Over the last couple of years, the number of homeless people in the province has doubled. The majority of those people are suffering from health concerns such as mental illness, physical disability and addiction.

I believe that the most effective way to reduce future homelessness is the education of our youth about substance abuse. Informing and educating our younger generations that drugs and alcohol can lead to terrible, consequences will ensure that fewer of them end up on the street.

What would be your 'dream job' in life?
Honestly, my dream job at this moment would have to be 'Miss Universe Canada'. I would love to have the opportunity to travel and gain a stronger platform to speak on behalf of different humanitarian issues and to bring awareness to numerous causes. The Miss Universe Canada Organization provides the skills, opportunities and the metoring for someone like myself to achieve personal goals and help the people that are less fortunate.

Name one person other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
My brother has had the biggest influence on my life because he has always been there to guide me through hard times, and he continues to teach me how to cope with the different challenges that life brings me. I'll always remember learning to swim for the first time -- my brother told me that the only choice I had was to swim...or sink! Even though it wasn't a pleasant experience at the time, it taught me that I would have to take risks and overcome fear in order to achieve my dreams in life.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)?
As a child, I always remember my mother advising me that one of the most important things a woman can do is to become independent in life. This has been a very important task for me to accomplish. Over the years, I have tried many different ways to become independent. Since my first job at age 10 delivering newspapers, I have never had to ask my parents for financial help.

Fortunately, because of my success over the last two years in the acting business, I was able to buy my first house at age 22. Buying my own house gave me complete independence, and the feeling of gaining this was exhilarating. The first thing I did when I entered my new house was sit down in the middle of an empty room. Tears of joy came down my face -- it was my proudest personal moment.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I just want to be happy in whatever I'm doing. Right now, I have a passion for acting. I love the challenge of playing different characters that are dealing with interesting obstacles, and then coming home at the end of the day and being myself. Acting has helped me mature as a human being by teaching me about my own inner emotions. Ideally, I would become a lead actress in film and television.

I recently had a recurring role on a TV series and a role in the new film, The Watchmen, directed by one of my favourite directors, Zack Snyder, so I'm off to a good start. I'd like to keep moving my career forward so that I could work consistently and be in a position to financially support my family and spend more time with them. I'd also like to produce independent and documentary films to bring awareness to important humanitarian issues.

In addition to my acting, I am currently studying residential and commercial real estate at the University of British Columbia. This work keeps me grounded and will help me fund my ongoing acting training.

Describe where you were raised and that your childhood was like.
My childhood was very unique. I was born in India, raised in Iran, and now live in Canada. India was very special because of its spirituality. In Iran, I learned about the value of family, tradition, and culture. My childhood there was very sweet because my father's job as a successful engineer afforded us financial freedom. However, my father chose to escape Iran's oppressive regime, so he sacrificed his job and moved us to Canada.

Though we had less wealth, it was in Canada that I learned the truth about life and happiness because my father spent more time with us. I came to realize that the biggest joys in life were not the material things I had in Iran but instead the love of family. Canada also gives me the rights and freedoms, as a woman, to do what I want, study what I want, and believe in what I want.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
The most unusual job that I had was Playing a character of a beauty contestant in the hit TV show " Smallville", and here I am now participating in this event.

List any volunteering you have done.
- Student films
- Assit the homeless people in Vancouver by providing food, blankets and words of hope
- Orphanage in Bangkok, Thailand in 2005
- Modeled for several charity events in Vancouver
- Donate cloths to the Canadian Salvation Army

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
Thailand...for two different reasons. I got the chance to experience the country's spectacular natural beauty, but I also learned from its poverty and its people. My best memory of Thailand's nature was when I kayaked through the exotic jungles of Krabi. While rowing down the river, hundreds of monkeys suddenly greeted me, shrieking loudly and swimming beside my kayak. They stayed with me as I made my way to my destination, the gorgeous "wat tham sue" caves. Yet, though that experience was wonderful, the one I cherish most is my time volunteering at a Bangkok orphanage. Though most of the children there were from abusive families or families that simply couldn't afford to raise them, their smiles and attitudes were brighter than any others I have ever encountered. I learned so much from them.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
I have travelled to more than 20 countries and 40 major cities around the world. My extensive first-hand experience of these varied peoples, cultures, and places has given me a special outlook on life and a unique passion for continuing to meet new people and take on new challenges. The difference between me and the other contestant is that I was the only person that got the chance to see Natalie Glebova win the title of "Miss Universe" for Canada LIVE. That was an amazing moment and it really inspired me to follow Natalie's foot steps and win the title of Miss Universe for Canada once again.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
One of my favourite fashion designers of all time, Coco Channel, said, "Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable." From tying my doll to a broom handle in order to get a cookie from atop my grandma's fridge...to dealing with my current adult challenges of my acting career, this is how I live my life -- with optimism, expectation, and drive.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
In my career, I hope to be a consistently-working and well-respected film actor. I hope to have achieved a reputation and recognition level that allows me to reach many people with my work. I hope my example as an independent woman can make a difference in people's lives. I really believe that each of us is blessed in life and that we all must use this blessing to advance humanity in any way that we can.

In my personal life, I have a goal of seeing all Seven Wonders of the World by the age of 30. I have already been to the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and the Coliseum, so I only have four more to go! I would also like to someday be able to play a classical song on the piano, cook dishes of food for twenty people, and win a Best Actress award for my film work. Finally, but most importantly, I want to be a loving mother and great role model for my children...in the same way that my mother always was for me.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting things about you?
I love fashion and style. I find that enhancing the way that I look with unique fashion statements gives me more self-confidence. A compliment on my style choice also makes my memory of that moment or event that much sweeter. My own fashion inspirations come from 20th-century icons like Jackie Onassis and Audrey Hepburn. Fashion is important because it allows us to express our personalities, and it helps us change society's perception of who we are and what we want to become.