Date of Birth
23 October 1985, Tirana, Albania

Birth Name
Masiela Lusha

Nickname
Mas

Height
5' 4" (1.63 m)

Mini Biography
European-born actress/writer Masiela Lusha portrayed Carmen Lopez for five seasons as George Lopez's rebellious and passionate daughter on the syndicated ABC series, "George Lopez" (2002). She was born on October 23, 1985 to parents Max and Daniela. Raised in Tirana, Albania; Budapest, Hungary; and Vienna, Austria, Masiela settled with her mother in Michigan at the age of seven. English is her fourth language.

Her acting talents span well into voice-overs, films, music videos, commercials, print work with Ben Affleck, and of course television. Among other things, Masiela portrayed Nina, the lovable and energetic, fast-talking best friend on the popular animated PBS series, "Clifford's Puppy Days". Film work include "My Father's Eulogy" a biography in which she portrayed Lisa, the reflective lead who reminisces on her experiences with her father; "Cherry Bomb" and most recently, "Muertas" in which she plays the determined and strong-willed lead, Aracelli; a young factory worker from Juarez who dreams of America and all its promises and during which falls in love with an El Paso journalist, Ethan.

Masiela has been named "The Youngest Author in the World" to publish a book in two languages. She designed the cover herself at the age of twelve, and was also named as one of "The Best Top Ten Talented Poets for North America", for her first book "Inner Thoughts." She views writing as an expression of herself where she can "create secret worlds without boundaries", and her second book of poetry "Drinking the Moon" was recently released in print this summer by Dorrance Publishing. Through her poetry she paints portraits of character, human emotions, experience, insecurity, and pride; and reflects on the betrayal of friendships, and on the society surrounding her.

Her writing also includes screenplays, short stories, and her first novel, The Besa which is completed and waiting for publication. She is currently drafting an essay on why poetry could never die.

Masiela graduated from high school at 15, and was warmly accepted as a junior to UCLA at the age of eighteen, majoring in English. In her spare time she also enjoys affiliating with Reading Programs around the country where she promotes the utter importance of understanding and appreciating the written language.

Before becoming an actor, she was named by Teen Magazine as one of five to "Most Likely to Succeed" in 2000. Overcoming language and culture barriers, Masiela feels she has had many examples that have set the precedence in her life of knowing that one can accomplish anything and everything if one believes and has the courage to make things happen.

After arriving in Michigan, Masiela first gained attention by modeling. She was discovered among 600 aspiring actors by a Los Angeles based talent agent, and shortly there after was one of three invited to Hollywood at the age of thirteen. She loves honing her craft in front of the camera and exploring different characters, and continues to actively pave her path to success as an actress and author.


Trivia
Her name is a combination of both her parents' names.

Often thought to be Hispanic but is not. Masiela was born in Tirana, capital city of Albania, a small mountainous nation in the Balkan Peninsula of South-Eastern Europe, surrounded by Italy, Macedonia and Greece.

6x