What It’s REALLY Like Being Muslim in Hollywood (Disney/Pixar Insider) | MMT Ep 56 - Nabil Kazi

In this episode, Nabil Kazi shares his journey from working at Disney and Pixar to paving the way for Muslims in Hollywood, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities of representation in entertainment. Alongside his career insights, he reflects on personal experiences, global travels, and how storytelling can reshape narratives about Muslims worldwide.

This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise

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Show Notes: 

00:00 – Early days at Disney, challenges of openly being Muslim in Hollywood.

00:34 – Toy Story, Pixar collaboration, and creative branding work.

01:08 – Introduction of guest Nabil Kazi and his Hollywood background.

02:11 – Marathons, Ironmans, and athletic pursuits.

04:42 – World travel goal: visiting all 197 countries, inspired by his late father.

06:36 – Highlights and misconceptions about Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan.

12:23 – Growing up near Disneyland, passion for entertainment.

13:48 – Breaking into Pixar and the Toy Story franchise.

20:00 – Marketing, branding, and franchise-building strategies at Disney.

29:35 – Stories about working with celebrities like Tom Hanks and Miley Cyrus.

32:07 – Being Muslim in Hollywood: challenges, perceptions, and representation.

38:53 – Rise of Muslim creatives: Riz Ahmed, Rami Youssef, Moe, and others.

46:19 – Advice on authentic Muslim storytelling without labelling.

50:25 – New Muslim-led studios and changing confidence in Hollywood.

56:06 – Advice for aspiring Muslim filmmakers and writers.

58:21 – Streaming vs theatrical release, marketing strategies, and building franchises.

1:07:03 – Inspiring more Muslims to enter entertainment.