Iman Vellani, in marvelous form

With countless auditions, constant rejection and a calendar that's often in flux, acting professionally can be anxiety-inducing. Once success comes, there can then be added pressure to keep the momentum going, book more jobs, be seen in the right places, and strike while the iron is hot.

Iman Vellani, who had her big break earlier this year as the star of Ms. Marvel on Disney+, and will next appear in The Marvels movie alongside Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris, is pacing herself and not concerned with the Hollywood rat race.

“I am taking a bit of a break right now," said the actor over Zoom. “'The Marvels' was extremely stressful on my body, physically and mentally, and it was a lot. I was away from home for like two years and I was only 17 when I left. I am spending time with my family right now and living the nice, calm Ontario life.”

Vellani's maturity, enthusiasm and acting skills have led to her becoming one of The Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022, alongside stars including Sadie Sink, Simone Ashley, Daryl McCormack and fellow Marvel standout Tenoch Huerta.

Now 20, Vellani could attribute some of her Zen perspective to wise words from Samuel L. Jackson while filming The Marvels.

“I remember when Sam Jackson was on set, I had this whole laundry list of questions for him. And I was asking him like, ‘What are the best characteristics of an actor?’ And he was like, ‘Patience.' I was like, ‘Yes, Sam, you’re right, patience.' After that, I never complained, ever. If anything took longer than 5 minutes or 10 minutes or coming to set and not even working, you know, it’s all part of the job. You have to understand, there’s so many moving parts.”