Full Biography

Miss SAYE YABANDEH is an Iranian-born Hollywood actress focused on using her platform to bring awareness to global issues and to give back to refugees and underserved children and families around the world. Miss Sayé Yabandeh, a humanitarian and award-winning actress of remarkable scope, has joined Virgin Galactic's NEXTGEN astronaut program. As a Goodwill Ambassador for the ENGin program, she dedicates her time to connecting English-speaking volunteers with Ukraine's young generation during their time of need. As a Global Ambassador for the Global Citizen Foundation and her 501(c)3 non-profit organization Sayé org, she champions education, community building, and sustainable development for underprivileged children worldwide. Through her organization, she extends her philanthropic reach to empower impoverished families globally, fostering self-sufficiency rather than dependency. Sir Richard Branson has crowned her a "Woman of the World" as she embodies the essence of a true Global Citizen, transcending borders and embracing the human race with compassion. With a passion for adventure and athleticism rivaling her dedication to helping others, Miss Yabandeh excels as an avid polo player, who has participated in several world snow polo championships and many exhibition, charity-oriented polo matches worldwide, swimmer, yoga enthusiast, and has trained with Navy SEAL Team Six in support of the Department of Defense. Her impressive filmography and nominations for Best LGBT Project and Best Female Filmmaker attest to her artistic prowess. As she embarks on this extraordinary journey, Miss Yabandeh embodies the spirit of the NEXTGEN astronaut, inspiring future generations to boldly explore the unknown.