Today we’d like to introduce you to Mauriett Chayeb-mendez
Hi Mauriett, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in Miami I wasn’t a party girl, I was the kid in glasses with freckles more into getting grades than a wild time. In high school I was Student Government President, Thespian Society President, Cheerleader, English Honor Society & National Honor Society, and many other volunteer opportunities… anything to be able to gain an education. After I won a full scholarship to University of South Florida from the Florida Lottery I still had to maintain 3.51 GPA every semester plus assimilate to a new city. Although USF had many opportunities, not too many for someone bilingual new ideas like me. I worked for the college paper as Multimedia Editor and would film LIVE to Facebook during news events?! That was grounding breaking in 2010. I had to film and edit and produce all my own segments and I also had two internships at news stations plus we made two documentaries with our journalism school to balance all with college life! After college I found two different surgeries who I entrusted a 6 months process to be able to see clearly first time in my life, double cornea implant permanent on each eye and lasik as well to correct severe astigmatism & myopia since age five. With my new vision and stitches still fresh in my eyes I got my first job offer at MTV and started right away, I wanted to work in television my whole life. If I can’t be a lawyer to give justice to people then maybe as a communicator or via tv show or film I can make difference. I think that’s why I feel so lucky to have voiced over 30 films and 50 series in this random new career as voice talent. With my voice I am not just the daughter of a woman who arrived to America on a tugboat or the airplane mechanic with Arab ancestry.. with my voice I can transform into ANYTHING and no one sees my face it’s been so liberating! I worked behind the scenes for a decade for MTV, VH1, Bravo, Travel Channel, HGTV, Telemundo, NBC, A24, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, the list goes on, I was the production coordinator or assistant in charge of the call sheet, schedule, hiring/firing, cars, equipment, catering, anything one time we had to build a chandelier in a day to throw off a balcony and another time I was filming in a fancy nyc loft where I had scissors out to my face to not scuff the floors during filming another time in Jersey a guy didn’t like that the crew was filming and wanted to fight me but then I offered food and he was cool. I have been through so much to work in tv, even got hit by a vehicle and still had to drive crew home or another time after Hamptons shoot needed emergency three bags of iv cause I passed out after several long workdays. So I lived a grueling life from NYC to Mississippi to work behind the scenes planning shows and movies, I never dreamed I would be a cartoon Space Dog Strelka or Jiu Wei in GoodBye Monster or Miss Mimi in 15 Anpanman films?!! My voice is in cinemas right now in UK and Lebanon and Africa four four different voice roles Inspector Sun film.. Me? I was the background person, but now the microphone has given my new life. I even got cast in ten different on camera jobs including a short film and Amazon show because they enjoyed my personality. So I feel so excited to break the mold, no agent just a fierce Cuban Arab Gringa trying to use my voice for good.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I say the road has not been smooth. You may encounter along the way moments you wish you could tell your younger self just keep working and you’ll be alright, keep going.
The nature of working in television and film is secretive, whatever happened good or bad I signed contracts to never speak of anything but it doesn’t heal your pain. I always felt like second class citizen, they told me to shut the F up and make their coffee, I was the bottom of the production barrel. If not for your looks as female, then for your culture. I was the only Spanish speaking person many times and the level of stereotypes for Cubans & Latinos at times made me uncomfortable, as well as having Arab roots, you hear a lot you have to ignore to keep your jobs.
Network standards to keeps shows moving forward sometimes don’t treat crew fairly and we just kept it moving. I left traditional production work to move back to Miami and help my parents which lead me to working for my own company with my brother USAF LTC Jose Sarduy to help his career in comedy with any media knowledge I have gained over past decade. The production employee some were stepping over wasn’t just taking notes for the google drive, she was learning to create and sell and produce. Yes I had struggles along the way, all of us from immigrant homes have a hard time because I’m working not for me, I’m working for my ancestors! My grandma married age 12 in Syria and had 15 children in Venezuela, with no choice to go to school or have any of the freedom to use her voice like I do. My mother was professor in Cuba and forced out of her country on a tugboat with a small baby and no English or direct family in America, that same woman ended up getting Masters Degree at St.Thomas University here in Miami with me in her belly! I come from a strong stock of women and I feel like to go through the struggles I have to, if I get to achieve new goals.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve got few jobs, working as social media manager for a comedian & military veteran he has two top viewed Drybar Comedy Specials and Paralegal Aide PLUS I am blessed to be contracted as an English Native Voice Talent at Centauro Dubbing Studios & Macias Group in Miami FL.
My random career jump was after a day I googled “voice acting job Miami” and a Craigslist ad popped up. I emailed and it turned out to be a TV network. The audition was on a laptop microphone in the corner of a conference room and I ended up booking 52 episodes with a Japanese series about soccer. That was my first voice gig and from that it’s just been nonstop for the past six years. I’ve been lucky enough to make over 30 films and 50 different series. I get to dub those into English, but also work on original animations meaning they use my dorky voice from Miami to create, original content across the globe! What a dream come true, my voice was in movie theaters in USA for Inspector Sun as four different voice roles and currently in airing international cinemas UK, Africa, Qatar, & Ireland !
My favorite role so far is has been as the recurring film character in Anpanman franchise the teacher Miss Mimi. Anpanman is one of the top ever grossing franchises from Japan along with Harry Potter and Disney Princesses! (Available on Tubi)
Another favorite role of mine was in film Goodbye Monster I am the narrator and strong mythical fox character Jiu Wei (Amazon) the female character is the one with the kung fu moves trying to help the visibly strong but weak minded male character.
My latest out : Wakfu Season 4 Eliatrope Goddess
Favorite Philanthropic Work: Voice for Busch Wildlife Sanctuary commercial with Studio Vazquez & Miami Dade Animal Shelter commercial “Adopt your Best Friend” with Avanza Ad.
Favorite series Topo Gigio on YouTube currently I voice the principal, and few other characters which is the revamp of the Italian legacy character.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When we were little my mom surprised me and my brother one day early in the morning she made a big tub of kookaid and we got on an air conditioned bus to Disney World! She brought all the snacks into the park and I didn’t know it was because of high costs, I just remember all the magic. I knew little mermaid vhs by memory every word so seeing her on a float and Minnie Mouse was something I will never forget. I just thought we were waking up early to go to my brother sports but ended up being day that always sparked my imagination. I probably can’t ever work for Disney because I don’t have agent but it’s still my favorite place to go and feel inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mauriett.blogspot.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauriettchayeb
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/mauriettchayeb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mauriett
- Other: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uv8K5wEO_tg
Image Credits
Me – Mauriett Chayeb
