Yousra is Egypt's most renowned multi-faceted celebrity, gracing the silver screen for over 30 years. Since the 1970s, she has starred in some of the most important films in Egyptian cinema's history. Her roles in films and TV series are trailblazing and continue to influence and inspire generations.
Yousra was named one of the World's 100 Most Powerful Arab Women and is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (The Oscars),given her rich cinematic history. Her social stands and opinions have impacted the public domain in Egypt and the Arab world like no other actress of her generation.
She has received over 80 awards and certificates of appreciation from international film festivals, including the Beirut, Cairo, and Cannes international film festivals. Additionally, she has received significant honors from the Royal College of Physicians in London, the Arab World Institute in Paris, and America Abroad Media (AAM) in Washington.
As a talented musician, Yousra has had several chart-topping hits, including the late hit "3 Daqat" (3 Heartbeats). She has also been a fashion icon, serving as Christian Dior's ambassador in the Middle East. Many of her dresses were tailored by international fashion designers like Stéphane Rolland, Elie Saab, Hany El-Behairy, and Rami Al-Ali.
Yousra has been a judge in various fashion shows, including the Arab world version of the famous reality TV show "Project Runway Middle East" alongside Elie Saab. She was also appointed as an International Advisory Board member of the El-Gouna Film Festival in 2014.
Yousra's first appearance in cinema was in "A Castle in the Air," directed by Abdel Halim Nasr. She has worked with the legendary superstar Adel Emam in 17 films, including "Al-Ensan Yaeesh Mara Wahida" (Humans Only Live Once) and "Al-Avokato." She has also collaborated with the late screenwriter Wahid Hamed in nine TV shows and blockbusters.
Yousra has starred opposite the late veteran actor Ahmed Zaki in five films and appeared in four of Youssef Chahine's films, including "An Egyptian Story" and "Alexandria: Again and Forever." Chahine had a significant impact on Yousra, who said, "Youssef Chahine's impact on me was significant on a personal and a professional level. He was considered more of a school to all the people who worked with him."
Yousra has also worked with renowned international Egyptian actor Omar El-Sharif and superstar Amr Diab in "Dehk Wa Le'b Wa Gad Wa Hob" (Laughter, Games, Seriousness, and Love). In 2006, she starred in the film "Yacoubian Building," which is based on the best-selling Arab novel of the same name. Her performance was characterized by Variety magazine as "effortlessly evoking old romantic memories when she sings 'La Vie en Rose'."
On TV, Yousra's series have always been a must-see. She has addressed the most pressing social issues of the hour on her TV series, which usually showcase fresh talents and promising young stars. Her series include "Ayna Qalbi" (Where's My Heart?),"Malak Rohi" (My Soul),and "Sharbat."
Yousra's serial drama "Kheyanet Ahd" (The Betrayal of Ahd) aired on TV during Ramadan 2020 to huge success, winning her the DG Best Actress Award and the DG Best Series at the Dear Guest Awards in December 2020. She was honored at the Arab Satellite Festival and the Negm El-Arab Festival.
In 2021, Yousra took part in the ad campaign for ZED Park alongside a plethora of Arab stars, including Shereen Reda, Karim Abdel-Aziz, Nelly Kareem, Tara Emad, and Huda El-Mufti. Her film career amounts to over 100 films, the most recent of which is the feature film "Saheb El Maqam" (The Enshrined Saint),which premiered on Shahid to tremendous success.
Using her fame for a good cause, Yousra is a social activist who gives back to the community and helps raise awareness and supports many social causes. She has been a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and has received more than 50 awards in recognition of her work.
Yousra has contributed her time and effort to Coptic Orphans, a non-profit organization based in Merrifield, Virginia, to support Egyptian orphans. She has also taken part in the 500-500 Ramadan campaign to support cancer patients and participated in the opening ceremony of a 16-day campaign under the theme "Orange the World: #HearMeToo; End Violence against Women and Girls" at the General Secretariat of
