Masiela Lusha

Masiela Lusha is an Albanian-born American actress, author, producer, and humanitarian known for her work in television, film, and literature. Lusha and her family left Albania as refugees, relocating to Budapest and Vienna before settling in Michigan. English became her fourth language after Albanian, Hungarian, and German. She began her modeling career in Michigan at age 12 and, after participating in local theater, was discovered by a Hollywood agent during an open call in Detroit. Lusha graduated from high school at 15 and attended the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in English.

Lusha is recognized for her lead role as Carmen Lopez on the ABC/Warner Bros. series "George Lopez," where she portrayed George Lopez's daughter for five seasons. She has appeared in more than 30 film and television projects, earning two consecutive Young Artist Awards for Leading Young Actress in a Comedy or Drama. Her film credits include Sony Pictures' "Blood: The Last Vampire" and SyFy’s "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens." Lusha made her television debut in the Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire" and was a main cast member in "Clifford's Puppy Days" for PBS. Additional television appearances include "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Anger Management."

As an author, Lusha has published five books of poetry—"Inner Thoughts," "Drinking the Moon," "Amore Celeste," "The Call," and "The Living Air"—as well as the novel "The Besa" and two children's books. She has been recognized as the youngest author to publish a book in two languages and was named among the top ten poets for North America for her first book, "Inner Thoughts." Lusha has translated poems and prayers by Mother Teresa and received public recognition for her poetry. She also founded Illuminary Pictures, a production company focused on diverse film and television projects.

Lusha’s early experiences as a refugee have influenced her humanitarian work. She founded the Children of the World Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing food, shelter, and education to families in need. As ambassador for Scholastic's "Read for Life," Lusha has participated in national public service announcements and reads to schoolchildren across the United States. She has served as ambassador for Sentebale, as goodwill ambassador for the World Assembly of Youth, and is an advocate for UN Women. Lusha is a speaker on topics including immigration, diversity, poetry, and women's health, integrating her artistic career with ongoing humanitarian efforts. Her background in entertainment, literature, and philanthropy positions her as a voice at the intersection of art, resilience, and social change.