FROM THE CAMP TO THE CLUB
ONCE UPON A TIME…Palestine (1992)
The second ever documented miracle birth since Jesus occurred. This time, it was to a newly wed Palestinian couple. After 11 months of the doctor promising them a healthy baby boy, a daughter arrived. One as strong as a 1000 men, and with the fragility of Texas weather. A miracle so great that it could only happen in the Holy Land. This manifesto documents the moments that made her, HER.
1992 First of her name, ruled with an iron throne.
1993 Lost her throne to her brother. Not a good year, haven’t recovered since.
2008 1st gray hair was found.
2012 Started modeling because she used to be ugly and didn’t want to think she was.
2015 First in her family to graduate with a BA (regained her throne for 24 hrs).
2016 Being pretty wasn’t enough. She wanted to conquer the world, so she started acting.
2018 Had beauty & brains, so she started comedy to get a personality.
2019 Finalist for “Funniest Comic in the Heartland” & Semi-finalist for “Funniest comic in TX”.
2020 Don’t want to talk about it.
2022 Comedy tour across homeland in “1001 Laughs Palestine Comedy Festival”.
2023 Gave birth to 2nd child Kufiya Comedy ~ Finalist for Miss Arab USA.
2024 Defied all odds and had a 3rd child… Kufiya Comedy Festival. Created KC nonprofit.
2025 Performed in Europe, and hoping this year she gets fit or famous.
Marena Riyad is an actress, comedian, model, and producer who enjoys making women laugh and men pine from USA to Palestine. She is currently touring the country sharing her refreshingly pessimistic take on dating and her coming of age story after being kidnapped from the Holy Land and brought to America. A walking contradiction, her vulnerable yet unapologetic style stems from growing up in two 3rd world countries, Palestine and East Texas.
