Roxana Shirazi is an Iranian-born author, actress, and journalist best known for her memoirs and bold exploration of female sexuality. She gained attention with her books The Last Living Slut: Born In Iran, Bred Backstage (2010), and Dead Iranian Girl (2021).
Roxana Shirazi was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to England at ten.
Her writing journey began at 14 with her first book, The Secret Garden, about the street kids of Sao Paulo. Her passion for academia led her to many universities, where she explored political and gender issues. "My love of academia has taken me to many universities and brought me to a political arena where I have had the opportunity to lecture on Sexual Politics and Gender Theory," she said.
She pursued higher education at Bath Spa University, earning a master's degree in English.
In The Last Living Slut, Shirazi recounts her experiences growing up during the Iranian Revolution, dealing with political activity, war, and personal hardship. The book offers an unfiltered look at female sexuality, breaking away from traditional portrayals of women. "I just thought, OK, I guess this is my life," she explained her Iranian childhood with her rock 'n' roll adventures.
Her candid storytelling did not fit the UK media's stereotypical portrayal of Iranian women, leading to censorship. As Shirazi noted, "Iranian girls who are sexually open rock 'n' roll girls, wear slutty clothes, and are also academics and intellectuals don't fit the UK media's agenda of 'diversity' representations."
Despite the challenges, Shirazi's narrative struck a chord, especially given the risks she took. Her return to Iran, facilitated by Kurdish smugglers via the Turkish mountains, highlighted her fearless nature. "I was a child-revolutionary within a very politically active family. I was sent to England during the Iran/Iraq war at the age of 10," she shared, reflecting on her turbulent early years.
Shirazi's work extends beyond her books. She has lectured on Sexual Politics and Gender Theory and spoken at International Women's Conferences. Her diverse interests are reflected in her academic pursuits and cultural engagements, influenced by figures like Michele Foucault, Judith Butler, and Leonard Cohen.
Shirazi's writing style in The Last Living Slut is raw and unvarnished, drawing comparisons to Henry Miller and Bukowski. She rejects being labeled as a groupie, emphasizing her strength and independence. "I don't like to be compared to a groupie…I think I'm too wild to be a groupie. I don't want to be subservient and meek to other men," she asserted.
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Shirazi has ventured into acting. She worked with casting director Amy Hubbard on the new ITV drama Honour, directed by Richard Laxton. She also appeared in the new BBC comedy Don't Forget the Driver, written by Toby Jones.
Roxana Shirazi lives in London.
Photo credit: roxana-shirazi.co.uk
Roxana Shirazi was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to England at ten.
Her writing journey began at 14 with her first book, The Secret Garden, about the street kids of Sao Paulo. Her passion for academia led her to many universities, where she explored political and gender issues. "My love of academia has taken me to many universities and brought me to a political arena where I have had the opportunity to lecture on Sexual Politics and Gender Theory," she said.
She pursued higher education at Bath Spa University, earning a master's degree in English.
In The Last Living Slut, Shirazi recounts her experiences growing up during the Iranian Revolution, dealing with political activity, war, and personal hardship. The book offers an unfiltered look at female sexuality, breaking away from traditional portrayals of women. "I just thought, OK, I guess this is my life," she explained her Iranian childhood with her rock 'n' roll adventures.
Her candid storytelling did not fit the UK media's stereotypical portrayal of Iranian women, leading to censorship. As Shirazi noted, "Iranian girls who are sexually open rock 'n' roll girls, wear slutty clothes, and are also academics and intellectuals don't fit the UK media's agenda of 'diversity' representations."
Despite the challenges, Shirazi's narrative struck a chord, especially given the risks she took. Her return to Iran, facilitated by Kurdish smugglers via the Turkish mountains, highlighted her fearless nature. "I was a child-revolutionary within a very politically active family. I was sent to England during the Iran/Iraq war at the age of 10," she shared, reflecting on her turbulent early years.
Shirazi's work extends beyond her books. She has lectured on Sexual Politics and Gender Theory and spoken at International Women's Conferences. Her diverse interests are reflected in her academic pursuits and cultural engagements, influenced by figures like Michele Foucault, Judith Butler, and Leonard Cohen.
Shirazi's writing style in The Last Living Slut is raw and unvarnished, drawing comparisons to Henry Miller and Bukowski. She rejects being labeled as a groupie, emphasizing her strength and independence. "I don't like to be compared to a groupie…I think I'm too wild to be a groupie. I don't want to be subservient and meek to other men," she asserted.
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Shirazi has ventured into acting. She worked with casting director Amy Hubbard on the new ITV drama Honour, directed by Richard Laxton. She also appeared in the new BBC comedy Don't Forget the Driver, written by Toby Jones.
Roxana Shirazi lives in London.
Photo credit: roxana-shirazi.co.uk
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