A potential cast member on Canada’s Lake Shore–a reality show where eight cast members from different backgrounds and sexual orientations move into a house together, and learn how to not step on each other’s toes–Iranian-Canadian, Roxie aka Persia, says of the forthcoming TV show:

“It’s not a competition; it’s all about [our] differences!”

What’s the actual Lake Shore area like?

“It’s a really cool area of Toronto,” Persia tell us. “It’s literally right by the lake shore, which is also minutes away from downtown Toronto where all the hottest private parties take place.”

Not just a party-girl, Persia can cook too:

“I can definitely stir up a mean ghormeh-sabzi, zereshk-polo, and adass-polo!” She says in response to whether she’s planning on cooking for her would-be housemates. I would love to cook for my roommates, I think it would be a great idea, bring some Persian flavor (literally) to the show.”

"I had been doing some video blogging on youtube under the name PersonalPersia when an insider told me about auditions being held in Toronto. I loved the idea. I wanted to be a Persian Culture Ambassador, so I auditioned.

"As a woman, any situation in life  can be just a tad bit more difficult, as you have to be in constant competition with men as well as other women, now add on the fact that you’re Iranian…So much to take into consideration. Family is huge for me so I always have to fit in some family time in my crazy schedule. I’m an event coordinator so I’m always on the run, I never have time to be idle so when I do have free time, I need to divide it evenly. For example Sundays, I wake up, toast some Noon Barbari (Persian bread), get out the cheese, water melon, sabzi (Persian: greens), butter, honey and make some Chai, and basically deliver my family an authentic Persian breakfast. After that, I get dressed and I get on with my work side of life, I work with a lot of Toronto artists, so my fun usually consists of photo shoots and video sets and when that’s all done and I can actually go out and have some real un-work related fun. You can catch me at a Persian hukkah bar or at a house jam or even playing pool with the boys. I’m the most versatile person the world has ever met. I don’t like to stay secluded in a box. If something’s fun, then I already like it! I’m me and that’s my lifestyle and I wont ever compromise myself for anyone.

"I want to be a Persian Culture Ambassador, I want to change the way the world looks at us, we aren’t terrorists, we’re people, who are JUST as entertaining and fun to watch as the rest of the world. We deserve that recognition. I speak “Per-glish” all day. For example I use the word “haalaa” (Persian: now) and “baba” (Persian: dad/man) a lot in my sentences so much so that my own non-Persian friends tend to use the words too now haha. So that’ll definitely be one reason and the more obvious is my mindset, I think differently than most people. I’m an observer and I come from a family that’s embraced so much of our Iranian culture that it’s embedded in me. It’s inevitable that it’ll channel through me.  Midnight chai-breaks at the Lake-Shore house!

"My mother is my backbone. I love her and I know that I might not be that stereotypical perfect Iranian daughter but I do make her very happy. I love talking to my mother because a lot of the wisdom I have now at this age is because of her and her amazing ability to raise her children. I don’t want to break any hearts but I think I got the coolest Persian Mama ever! And I’m hoping her and my Aunt would visit on the show and cook up a storm in the Lake-Shore Kitchen!

"Persia’s here to stay! I don’t want to walk away from this being just another reality show star. I want people to remember me as someone who made a difference, someone who changed pop culture’s perspective on Iranians, especially young Iranians. 

"Persia just sort of happened one day. In the group of friends I had at the time I was the only Persian, and at that age everyone goes by nick names. They started to call me Persia and I kinda liked it so I kept it. I also feel like Persia is who I’ve become, and to me “Persia” embodies all that I adore in Women and humanity. She’s strong, out spoken, opinionated, compassionate, educated but still sexy. Every woman has a little Persia in them."