Ms. Marvel actor Iman Vellani, admits to feeling “a little disconnected” from her Pakistani heritage

Iman Vellani discusses her connections to Ms. Marvel and why this role means so much to her as she transitions from fan to star in Marvel’s newest superhero.

You’re 19 years old, and your first acting role is as the protagonist in a Marvel series. Have you taken the time to think about it?

Every day, I try to do it, but it never works. I’m not sure where to begin processing it.

Before this, my entire existence revolved around Marvel: I adore the Avengers, comic comics, and Ms. Marvel… I wrote an English essay about female superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

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Are you ready to become a legend?

When I think about it, it’s a lot – I wish I had a program like this when I was younger because I didn’t realize I was lacking in representation until I read the Ms. Marvel comics.

Those stories about a Muslim superhero meant the world to me; they were so relatable that they served as a mirror. I had the impression that I was living Kamala Khan’s life.

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What do you mean by that?

Despite the fact that she’s from Jersey City and I grew up in Canada, she’s just as infatuated with the MCU as I am. We were both given the opportunity to be superheroes without any prior expectations.

Kamala, like me, has an older brother, my parents are overprotective in the best manner, and she grew up separated from her Pakistani culture. Her superhero adventure reconnected her with her roots, and I experienced something similar

Read more: Ms. Marvel, according to Iman Vellani, was never about acting: ‘Was looking for something tech-related to do.

Did you have a school experience similar to Kamala’s?

The high school is, without a doubt, at the heart of the show. We discussed a lot about my favorite professors, subjects, and crushes on guys, and tried to include some of it into the program.

Because teenage life is cheesy and cringey, we’ve both embarked on a voyage of self-discovery, figuring out where we fit into the world.

It’s fine to be sloppy and dirty while yet being a nice human – you don’t have to know everything. In Kamala’s comics, this is the overarching topic.