Maysoon Zayid: Oh Yes, She Can Can

She is breaking boundaries, but believes these boundaries shouldn’t be there in the first plaace.

- Sidra Sheikh

Maysoon Zayid is a multiple minority who does not let anything get in the way of her dreams. Most recently, she is working towards an American television show on which she will play the lead role, becoming the first visibly disabled woman to do so. While accomplishing so much in her own life, she is helping to pave the way for others through her work as an advocate. We had a chance to ask her all about her journey past, present and future and trust us when we say, yes, she can can!

Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind your upcoming show?

There are so many different things that have inspired my upcoming show. Amazing women comedians that came before me are a huge inspiration. I wanted to emulate the amazing friendships I had seen in TV shows like Lucy & Ethel, on I Love Lucy and Ann & Leslie from Parks and Recreation. It is also an homage to my family, friends and cats. I wanted to create a show I had never seen. I wanted a character who was a multiple minority that wasn’t treated as an other and was living the American dream. Most importantly, I wanted it to be funny. My head writer, Joanna Quiraishi, is hands down one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I am so lucky to be creating this dream come true with her.

Is it true that it will be titled, ‘Yes I Can Can’?

Very close. It’s called If I Cancan, but I’m going to be honest with you. In Hollywood, things can change at the last minute. So, we call this a working title.

Is it a fact that you will be playing the lead role on the show and that you will be the first visibly disabled woman to ever play a lead role on American TV?