Stella Marrazes
- Director
- Actress
Stella Marrazes, a Portuguese-Timorese actress currently based in Jersey City, NJ, has a life story as captivating as her performances on stage and screen. Born in Dili, Timor-Leste, she spent her formative years in Lisbon, Portugal. Stella is the youngest girl of fifteen children born to António Maria de Araújo, a nurse, high school teacher, and Ana Maria de Araújo, a dedicated primary school teacher in Timor-Leste.
Stella's early life was deeply influenced by her father's active role in advocating for Timor-Leste's independence during the Indonesian occupation and her mother's resilience on protecting and educating her and her brothes and sisters. In 1989, amidst escalating tensions, Stella's family sought refuge and support from the Red Cross, eventually resettling in Portugal. It was there that Stella discovered her passion for acting and enrolled in the prestigious School of Theatre of Cascais, in Lisbon.
Driven by her ambition to perform on renowned stages, Stella moved to London at just nineteen, where she auditioned for Theatre Collegues and immersed herself in the vibrant theatre scene of the West End for nearly four years. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she decided to audition for the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, a decision that led to her acceptance and relocation to the United States.
In May 2024, Stella graduated from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, marking a significant milestone in her career. Alongside her professional achievements in acting and other fields, Stella has found personal fulfillment as a wife and mother, married to a Portuguese and raising their daughter. With dual Portuguese and Timorese citizenship, Stella is fluent in Portuguese, Tetun (the Timorese language), English and Spanish, reflecting her multicultural upbringing and international experiences.
Stella's early life was deeply influenced by her father's active role in advocating for Timor-Leste's independence during the Indonesian occupation and her mother's resilience on protecting and educating her and her brothes and sisters. In 1989, amidst escalating tensions, Stella's family sought refuge and support from the Red Cross, eventually resettling in Portugal. It was there that Stella discovered her passion for acting and enrolled in the prestigious School of Theatre of Cascais, in Lisbon.
Driven by her ambition to perform on renowned stages, Stella moved to London at just nineteen, where she auditioned for Theatre Collegues and immersed herself in the vibrant theatre scene of the West End for nearly four years. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she decided to audition for the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, a decision that led to her acceptance and relocation to the United States.
In May 2024, Stella graduated from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, marking a significant milestone in her career. Alongside her professional achievements in acting and other fields, Stella has found personal fulfillment as a wife and mother, married to a Portuguese and raising their daughter. With dual Portuguese and Timorese citizenship, Stella is fluent in Portuguese, Tetun (the Timorese language), English and Spanish, reflecting her multicultural upbringing and international experiences.
