Tijan Marei\u2019s story is one of relentless exploration. Starting her acting career at a young age, she\u2019s long been driven by a need to push boundaries, both in art and in life. Along the way, she\u2019s fused her passions for acting, yoga, and storytelling into a narrative that defies conventional expectations.<\/p>\n
Her latest project, Tschappel, sees her portraying Melissa, a Berlin native navigating life in the countryside, experimenting with career paths, and questioning her choices. It\u2019s a role that resonates deeply with Tijan\u2019s own approach to adulthood: a tapestry of trials, errors, and new beginnings.<\/p>\n
Below, in conversation with SLEEK, the multifaceted actress discusses growing through vulnerability, grounding herself with yoga, and why listening to your heart is the truest measure of success.<\/p>\n
SLEEK: What does acting mean to you, especially given your early start?<\/p>\n
\u2028Tijan Marei: While acting, or rather during filming, I suddenly found myself on equal footing with the adults. It was a precious experience for me as a child to be part of a team where my actions and words actively contributed to the overall project. I think it’s an important experience for children to feel genuinely needed \u2013 and not constantly judged or lectured.<\/p>\n
My mom also contributed to that experience: she always communicated with me on an equal level, and I really appreciate her for that. Through auditions, I learned how to deal with my shyness \u2013 I didn’t blush as quickly anymore. I was always super nervous going into auditions, sometimes I just wanted to turn around and leave right away. But every time, I\u2019d leave feeling really euphoric. That\u2019s when I realized how much I enjoy interacting with people and showing myself \u2013 even if it takes a bit of courage.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"images","gallery":[{"ID":121906,"id":121906,"title":"Tijan_Sleek-4","filename":"Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","filesize":396651,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/tijan-marei-breathe-in-break-out\/tijan_sleek-4\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"tijan_sleek-4","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":121901,"date":"2025-06-24 12:54:01","modified":"2025-06-24 12:54:01","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1396,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","thumbnail-width":70,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","medium-width":1396,"medium-height":1920,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","medium_large-width":1396,"medium_large-height":1920,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","large-width":1396,"large-height":1920,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4-1117x1536.jpg","1536x1536-width":1117,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","2048x2048-width":1396,"2048x2048-height":1920,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":9,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-4.jpg","wpvr_mobile-width":1396,"wpvr_mobile-height":1920}},{"ID":121903,"id":121903,"title":"Tijan_Sleek-5","filename":"Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","filesize":299218,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/tijan-marei-breathe-in-break-out\/tijan_sleek-5\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"tijan_sleek-5","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":121901,"date":"2025-06-24 12:53:23","modified":"2025-06-24 12:53:23","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1383,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","thumbnail-width":69,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","medium-width":1383,"medium-height":1920,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","medium_large-width":1383,"medium_large-height":1920,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","large-width":1383,"large-height":1920,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5-1106x1536.jpg","1536x1536-width":1106,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","2048x2048-width":1383,"2048x2048-height":1920,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":9,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-5.jpg","wpvr_mobile-width":1383,"wpvr_mobile-height":1920}}],"settings":{"fit_width":"6","caption":"LEFT Tijan wears TOP Kleider gehen um SHORTS Marlene Specht TIGHTS Gatto JEWELRY Alan Hamliko RIGHT Tijan wears FULL LOOK Miu Miu."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"
S: Is there a role or project that has stayed with you or taught you something important?<\/p>\n
TM: Some roles stay with you long after the cameras stop rolling. For me, Tschappel<\/i> was one of those projects. Like Melissa I am always open to try new things. The final cut is something I\u2019m deeply proud of. Another standout was Fall for Me<\/i> (Netflix). It pushed me in ways I didn\u2019t anticipate, forcing me to explore anger as a means of expression. I learned how to channel it into my voice and let it resonate. I haven\u2019t seen the final cut yet, but I\u2019m looking forward to it. It will be released August 21st on Netflix.<\/p>\n
S: How did you start practicing yoga at such a young age?<\/p>\n
TM: My mom practiced yoga when I was a kid and sometimes I\u2019d join her. After finishing school at 17, my family insisted I branch out beyond acting. Since I didn\u2019t want to go straight into university, I thought: well, I\u2019ll just do a yoga teacher training. I found one in India. I literally googled \u201cIndia\u201d once and then booked my flight. The training lasted a month, from 7 AM to 7 PM every day, and I loved every single second of it. After that, I knew I definitely wanted to dive even deeper into the topic. So I did another yoga teacher training over the course of two years in Berlin, and I also did a training in Conscious Connected Breathwork.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"images","gallery":[{"ID":121907,"id":121907,"title":"Tijan_Sleek","filename":"Tijan_Sleek.jpg","filesize":303467,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/tijan-marei-breathe-in-break-out\/tijan_sleek\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"tijan_sleek","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":121901,"date":"2025-06-24 12:54:14","modified":"2025-06-24 12:54:14","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1439,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","thumbnail-width":128,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","medium-width":1920,"medium-height":1439,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","medium_large-width":1920,"medium_large-height":1439,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","large-width":1920,"large-height":1439,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-1536x1151.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1151,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1439,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":16,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek.jpg","wpvr_mobile-width":1920,"wpvr_mobile-height":1439}}],"settings":{"fit_width":"10","caption":"Tijan wears FULL LOOK Miu Miu."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"
S: How does yoga influence your acting, and vice versa?<\/p>\n
TM: When I do yoga, I feel much more connected to my emotions and my body. That definitely helps with auditions and on set. Breathwork helps me regulate my feelings and my nervous system. And after intense shoot days, yoga brings me back to myself \u2013 it\u2019s like a reset. Acting is about vulnerability, and my practice helps me embrace that fully.<\/p>\n
S: You teach yoga classes at ANTI. How does leading a class compare to performing?<\/p>\n
\u2028TM: Teaching my class ANTIdote<\/i> feels like leading a ritual. I\u2019ve been to so, so many yoga classes in my life and encountered many different teaching styles. I really enjoy creating the class exactly the way I always wished it would be. Everything is intentional \u2013 the mat alignment, the essential oils, the playlist. I always emphasize that students are also co-creating the experience. It\u2019s never the same energy twice, and that\u2019s what makes it truly unique and fun. It\u2019s very fulfilling to me to see how well the class is received.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"images","gallery":[{"ID":121908,"id":121908,"title":"Tijan_Sleek-6","filename":"Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","filesize":382656,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/tijan-marei-breathe-in-break-out\/tijan_sleek-6\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"tijan_sleek-6","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":121901,"date":"2025-06-24 12:54:24","modified":"2025-06-24 12:54:24","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1357,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","thumbnail-width":68,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","medium-width":1357,"medium-height":1920,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","medium_large-width":1357,"medium_large-height":1920,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","large-width":1357,"large-height":1920,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6-1086x1536.jpg","1536x1536-width":1086,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","2048x2048-width":1357,"2048x2048-height":1920,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":8,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-6.jpg","wpvr_mobile-width":1357,"wpvr_mobile-height":1920}},{"ID":121904,"id":121904,"title":"Tijan_Sleek-3","filename":"Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","filesize":393226,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/tijan-marei-breathe-in-break-out\/tijan_sleek-3\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"tijan_sleek-3","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":121901,"date":"2025-06-24 12:53:36","modified":"2025-06-24 12:53:36","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1368,"height":1920,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","thumbnail-width":68,"thumbnail-height":96,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","medium-width":1368,"medium-height":1920,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","medium_large-width":1368,"medium_large-height":1920,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","large-width":1368,"large-height":1920,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3-1094x1536.jpg","1536x1536-width":1094,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","2048x2048-width":1368,"2048x2048-height":1920,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":9,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-3.jpg","wpvr_mobile-width":1368,"wpvr_mobile-height":1920}}],"settings":{"fit_width":"6","caption":"LEFT Tijan wears BODYSUIT Essai Project JACKET & PANTS Malene Specht JEWELRY Studio Joanne SHOES Malene Specht RIGHT Tijan wears TOP Kleider gehen um SHORTS Malene Specht TIGHTS Gatto JEWELRY Alan Hamliko."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"
S: Your current role in Tschappel revolves around self-discovery. How does that reflect your own life?<\/p>\n
TM: Melissa, the character I play, comes from Berlin and moved to the countryside because she wanted to try something different. She\u2019s also studying social work, but she\u2019s not entirely sure if she might want to change majors again. To support herself, she works at a gas station during the holidays. I think that\u2019s exactly what growing up is all about: just trying things out, following your heart, making mistakes, taking new paths, turning everything upside down again \u2013 and fully living this life we\u2019ve been given. I knew from an early age that I always wanted to act, travel, and practice yoga. Society sometimes pushes us to settle down early, but I\u2019ve always felt the need to explore first. Things fall into place eventually.<\/p>\n
S: What does success mean to you?<\/p>\n
TM: Success is being authentically myself and growing in ways that challenge me. It\u2019s about my relationships, the time I spend with loved ones, and the goals I set for myself. I use vision boards, and it\u2019s amazing to see those dreams come to life. But it\u2019s also about the courage to try things I was once too afraid to do. Success, for me, isn\u2019t a destination, it\u2019s a feeling.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"images","gallery":[{"ID":121905,"id":121905,"title":"Tijan_Sleek-7","filename":"Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","filesize":307252,"url":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/de\/article\/tijan-marei-breathe-in-break-out\/tijan_sleek-7\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"tijan_sleek-7","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":121901,"date":"2025-06-24 12:53:46","modified":"2025-06-24 12:53:46","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1322,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","thumbnail-width":128,"thumbnail-height":88,"medium":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","medium-width":1920,"medium-height":1322,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","medium_large-width":1920,"medium_large-height":1322,"large":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","large-width":1920,"large-height":1322,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7-1536x1058.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1058,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1322,"trp-custom-language-flag":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","trp-custom-language-flag-width":18,"trp-custom-language-flag-height":12,"wpvr_mobile":"https:\/\/www.sleek-mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tijan_Sleek-7.jpg","wpvr_mobile-width":1920,"wpvr_mobile-height":1322}}],"settings":{"fit_width":"10","caption":"Tijan wears FULL LOOK Miu Miu."}},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_area","text_area":"
S: Finally, do you have a message for anyone on their own path of discovery?<\/p>\n
TM: Life\u2019s more fun when you follow your heart and let go of the fear of rejection. Allow yourself to live fully.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n Photographer: Moritz Deuerlein<\/a>
\nStyling: Hanna Teglasy<\/a>
\nHair and Makeup: Florina Vyas<\/a>
\nPhoto Assistant: Ibrahim Cavas<\/a>
\nLatex work \u201cGently Barred\u201d<\/i> by Paula Eberle<\/a>
\nSet Runner: Marisol Ekamp<\/p>\n"}]},"yoast_head":"\n