Landing a role in Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’ series wasn’t just a career milestone for multi-talented performer, Regan Aliyah—it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for an MCU fan. We sat down with the rising star to talk about her path, her purpose, and what it means to feel truly seen on set.

Interview by Shannon Elize

Shannon: Tell me about growing up in LA and how your upbringing influenced your path as a creative.

Regan: I had a really cool upbringing because I come from a family that was all in entertainment—it’s interesting talking about it now because we’re in a phase in the industry where people don’t understand nuance as well. When I say that, people assume I’m a “nepotism baby,” that didn’t have to work for anything. I wish! Having my grandma be an insanely talented musician and being around instruments developed my ear, versus somebody who may have never been around that. My mom being a dancer meant when I came out wanting to perform, she could guide me. There are always pros to having family doing the same thing as you.

But industry-wise? My grandma may have been a musician, but when I was growing up, she was a librarian. My mom had me at a really young age and had to figure out how to parent two kids while being super young. She was trying to be a dancer and go after her dreams while also working Uber Eats, Postmates, front desk jobs, working at a gym—she had a million jobs. I come from the most talented artists on the planet who deserved the success that I’m striving for. If I ever reach that peak, I want to be thankful because I believe in the deepest part of my heart that they deserve it.

My grandma deserved to be a Grammy award-winning musician. My mom deserved to be dancing on the biggest stages. They all sacrificed so much so we could survive in Los Angeles. That side of my family is from Oklahoma—they moved out here for their dreams and never abandoned them. The industry is a really hard place to survive, so they went for “how can we make this easier for our grandkids and kids?”

Growing up here made me appreciate Los Angeles in ways I think so many people can’t. So many people can’t see outside of the industry here. For me, the same way you view your hometown in PA or Michigan is the way I view Los Angeles. This place has grounds for everything and it’s beautiful when you know it as your home.

Shannon: Speaking of goals and dreams—there’s a video of Beyoncé from years ago, where she claimed everything she’s doing now. It’s amazing seeing people manifest things like that. Tell me about the biggest, boldest dream you want to claim.

Regan: When I was young, I used to do exactly that. I would say “I’m gonna get this when I’m older” and label it so many times. One of those things was Marvel. When I was a child, Marvel was such a big thing for me. I wanted to be part of the MCU. My mom is a comic collector, so the MCU and Marvel in general was a huge bonding point for my family. I sat through a whole 32-hour movie marathon in theaters watching all these Marvel movies. So now being able to be part of the MCU and booking that [role] felt like manifestation is so real.

But it’s funny—that did work out, and you would think I’d use that method forever. As I’ve gotten older and the world has shifted, my views on this industry have shifted. I’ve started taking it day by day. My overarching thing is to be the best version of myself that I can be. I’m gonna be the best rapper I can be, the best performer I can be, and always achieve my version of the goals I want.

But when it intertwines with the industry and other people, I don’t set expectations because there are so many things I could never have predicted—worldly events that change the trajectory of all our lives. All I can do is be prepared for whatever my success story looks like. If that isn’t what I thought it would look like as a kid, I’m okay with that.

I do so many categories of entertainment—I’m not just a rapper, I also act. I’m not just an actor, I also dance. Since I do so many things, wherever I land, I know it’s gonna be something I worked for and something I’m prepared for.

I don’t have this thing anymore where it’s “I’m gonna get this Grammy by this age.” What if 30-year-old me doesn’t want the Grammy? What if I want something else instead? As politics and my worldly view shifts, whatever’s meant for you will be for you. All you can do is strive for greatness for yourself.

Read the full interview in our Metamorphosis Issue.