Culture, comedy, control: Monia Lea Rafaeli steps into the spotlight

Italian-Moroccan actress Monia Lea Rafaeli is quickly emerging as a compelling new talent in global screen storytelling. Born and raised in Italy, with roots in both Italian and Moroccan culture, Rafaeli brings a rich multicultural perspective and linguistic versatility to her work — speaking fluent Arabic, English, and Italian — along with an intuitive emotional depth that informs every role she takes on. She first caught major attention for her portrayal of Gabriella in Netflix’s hit comedy series ‘Survival of the Thickest’ (2025), where she shared the screen with lead Michelle Buteau and co-star Marouane Zotti. Beyond her Netflix role, Rafaeli’s credits include feature films such as ‘Off the Grid’ opposite Josh Duhamel, ‘Informal Crooks’ with Bailey Coppola, and ‘Candy Flip’ starring Danny Trejo — each demonstrating her range across dramatic and genre work. With her recent work gaining wider visibility, Monia Lea Rafaeli continues to build momentum, carving out a compelling career path that reflects her passion for emotionally resonant, culturally textured performances.

You recently appeared in the Netflix series Survival of the Thickest (2025). How did you first become involved with the project, and what drew you to the role of Gabriella?

When I first received the audition email and saw Netflix attached to the project, my immediate reaction was “That’s a long shot.” I wasn’t familiar with the show, so before taping my audition, I binge-watched the entire show in two days to understand it’s tone, pacing, and emotional world. At the time, they were initially looking for someone older than I was, which made me assume the odds weren’t exactly in my favor. After submitting my first tape, I made a conscious effort to put it out of my mind, knowing how unpredictable the process can be. To my surprise, they reached out soon after, requesting a virtual chemistry read. I remember feeling incredibly nervous beforehand — there’s always that voice in your head that assumes you’ll trip over your own anxiety. But once we began, something shifted. It felt natural and grounded.  Shortly after, I was told I had booked the role. During the process, the character’s dynamic evolved, and I ultimately stepped into a slightly different version than originally envisioned. It felt like an organic creative collaboration rather than something rigid — and that made the experience even more meaningful. What drew me most to the role of Gabriella, was her cultural specificity. She carries both Italian and Moroccan influences — a very particular mix that resonates deeply with my own background. It’s rare to see that blend portrayed with authenticity, and I felt an immediate connection to her from the first read.

What was your experience like working on set, particularly alongside Michelle Buteau as the lead and Marouane Zotti, who played your on-screen brother Luca? What did you take away from that collaboration? 

Working alongside Michelle was both a privilege and a pleasure. She’s a master of her craft, yet remarkably approachable and down to earth. I remember her greeting me personally in the trailer, which was so gracious. Being on set with her was like taking a masterclass in comedy: she improvises effortlessly, can repeat a take multiple times, and makes each performance feel layered and textured. The scene we share that made it into the final cut was entirely improvised by her, and I love watching it knowing I was completely in stitches while filming it. Working alongside Marouane was equally delightful. From the very first moment, there was an immediate brother-sister connection on set. Interestingly, he’s also Moroccan-Italian, which made it especially cool to share that cultural experience between takes. He’s incredibly talented, versatile, and genuinely kind.

“Being part of such a talented and generous group of people was a reminder of how skill, care, and thoughtfulness can elevate not just a scene but the energy of an entire set, and it just reinforced the standard of craft and artistry I aspire to uphold.”

How did you prepare for your role as Gabriella? Did you draw from any personal experiences, specific research, or acting techniques to shape your performance? 

I didn’t have a specific idea of who she was until I watched the show and crafted a version of her that felt consequential to Luca. Having two brothers myself, I drew on my experiences growing up with them to shape the mix of playful annoyance, deep affection, and overprotectiveness that felt authentic to a sibling relationship. While on set, I adapted my interpretation to align with the director’s vision, which helped guide the scene’s pacing and my character’s choices. One of the challenges I encountered was the accent. I was born and raised in Italy, but having spent the last few years in the States, my natural speech had subtle American inflections that didn’t fully suit a character who has lived in Italy her whole life. I experimented with adjusting it, leaning into a more traditionally Italian accent — shaping the vowels and using the natural melodic rhythm of Italian speech, so it felt authentic to the character while remaining natural and performable on screen.

Being part of a Netflix production is a significant milestone. How did it feel to see yourself in a globally streamed series, and how has that impacted your confidence or perspective as an actress?

Oh boy — that was truly surreal. I didn’t even tell my family until I had finalized shooting, and even then, part of me still wondered if it would actually happen. I remember when it premiered — both my mom and dad had shiny eyes and couldn’t contain their smiles of joy, and my brothers too couldn’t have been more excited and happy for me. Growing up in a small town in Italy, this achievement felt like a confirmation that pursuing big Hollywood dreams is possible. At the same time, it brought underlying pressure of chasing the next high-performance milestone, which in this industry is never guaranteed. The standard shifts so quickly, and it’s easy to get caught up in disappointment if you don’t replicate that level of success. While shooting the show in New York, I went to audition for a big HBO project (that I ended up not getting anyway). I realized I wasn’t fully appreciating the work I was currently doing because I was preoccupied with what might come next.

“I quickly caught myself and reframed the situation, reminding myself that neither my accomplishments nor my setbacks define my confidence, as an actor or as a human being.”

It offered a crucial insight into staying present and valuing the work itself.

You’re a multilingual actress with a multicultural background and a strong foundation in acting. How do your experiences and perspective shape the way you approach roles and bring depth to your performances?

My cross-cultural background has always been a central part of who I am, both personally and professionally. It shaped the way I see the world — from the way stories are told around me to the cues in people’s interactions shaped by heritage and tradition. I think it naturally informs the roles I’m drawn to and the way I approach characters, helping me add subtle layers and authenticity that come from lived experience. Every role I take on is an opportunity to explore emotion, relationships, and the intricacies of human connection. My upbringing between different cultures has given me a wide perspective on interpersonal dynamics, which I draw on when building a character. I observe how people move, speak, and react, using those insights to bring authenticity and depth to my performances. I see acting as a journey following a character’s pulse, sensing the spaces between their words and actions. I just carry their world as it ripples outward.

When you’re not on set, what do you usually like to do to switch off?

It’s safe to say you’ll never catch me on a hike. I’m a homebody at heart — you’ll probably find me rewatching episodes of Will & Grace, ordering in, and collecting Sonny Angels. I’ve fully accepted the obsession at this point — they’re so whimsical and bring just the right amount of silly into my day.