Juliette Motamed

Juliette Motamed
Born
Sweden
Other namesAZADI.mp3
Alma materUniversity of Bristol
Occupations
  • Musician
  • actress
Years active2018–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals

Juliette Motamed is a British actress and musician. She makes music and DJs under the moniker AZADI.mp3. On television, she is known for her role in the Channel 4 sitcom We Are Lady Parts (2021–). Her films include Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023).

Early life and education

Motamed was born to Iranian parents and moved from Sweden to England at one year old.[1] She grew up in North London.[2][3]

Motamed studied English at University of Bristol and graduated in 2016. Her final-year dissertation was titled, “America never was America to me: Exploring the relationship between Claudia Rankine’s ‘Citizen’, Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ and contemporaneous activism”.[4] As a student, Motamed was a contributor to the online magazine Gal-dem (which ceased publication in 2023).[5]

Career

Acting

In 2019, Motamed starred in the short film Pagans.[6]

Having appeared in Nida Manzoor's 2018 comedy short Lady Parts, Motamed reprised her role as punk drummer Ayesha in the Channel 4 sitcom We Are Lady Parts in 2021, marking her television debut.[7][8] She reprised the role in the sitcom's second series.[9]

Motamed made her feature film debut as dancer Hannah in the 2023 comedy-drama Magic Mike's Last Dance, the third and final instalment in the Magic Mike trilogy with Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek.[10]

Music

As Azadi.mp3, Motamed released two singles, "Who is" and "Aphrodite", on 8 January 2019.[11][12] Working with NTS Radio's WIP artist development programme,[13] Motamed released her conceptual three-track debut EP, Summer in the Crypt, later that year.[14]

In 2021, Motamed released the single "NAZAR".[15] The following year, she took part in Radio Alhara's Sonic Liberation Front stream held in protest of the death of Mahsa Amini.[16]

In 2023, Azadi.mp3 featured in the inaugural Another Sky Festival for SWANA artists[17] and on Intended Consequence, a compilation of electronic music by Iranian women and non-binary people.[18] Her contribution to the collection, "Empty Platform", was noted for sampling protest chants mixed in with heavy percussive beats.[19]

In 2024, Azadi.mp3 released an EP entitled Control, which was positively reviewed. The Clash magazine described the record as "technically skilful" and "emotionally impactful", praising Motamed's ability to "merg[e] aspects of their heritage with a desire for free-thinking musicality".[20] Metal characterised the EP as "a frenetic, challenging, yet ultimately mesmerising voyage through the artist's psyche of cultural identity and late-stage capitalist anxieties".[21]

Motamed released another EP, Note to Self in 2025, pledging to donate all proceeds from record sales as well as merchandise to The Sameer Project, a charity providing aids in Gaza, Palestine.[22]

On the side, Motamed gives Ableton lessons.[23]

Artistry

Motamed grew up listening to Googoosh, Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, Aqua, and Missy Elliott. She has named Googoosh as well as the likes of My Chemical Romance, Aphex Twin, Imogen Heap, and Earl Sweatshirt as her influences.[24]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2018 The Fence Asha Short film
2018 Lady Parts Ayesha Short film
2019 Pagans Juliette Short film
2023 Magic Mike's Last Dance Hannah

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2021–present We Are Lady Parts Ayesha Main role
2022 Ellie & Natasia 1 episode
2023 Maneater Zoe Television film
2023 Sky Comedy Shorts Sonja Episode: "Past Caring"[25]
2024 Halo Carina 3 episodes
2024 The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin Abigail Episode: "The Unrobbable Coach"
2025 Grace Vee Wilde Series 5[26]
TBA Tomb Raider TBA Filming

Stage

Year Title Role Venue(s)/Production Notes
2024 Wish You Were Here
by Sanaz Toossi 		Rana Theatro Technis, produced by Gate Theatre Stage debut[27]

Discography

Extended Plays

  • Summer in the Crypt (2019)
  • Control (2024)
  • Note to Self (2025)

Singles

  • "Who Is" (2019)
  • "Aphrodite" (2019)
  • "NAZAR" (2021)

References

  1. ^ Khairi, Nour (12 November 2021). "Meet AZADI.mp3: the British-Iranian artist making left-field pop with punk energy". Azeema. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  2. ^ "AZADI.mp3 Gives Us Her Guide To North London". Trippin. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  3. ^ Varaidzo (25 May 2021). "Meet AZADI.mp3 the IRL alt girl playing a Muslim punk drummer in We Are Lady Parts". gal-dem. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  4. ^ "@galdemzine on Instagram". www.instagram.com. 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  5. ^ "Fashion Throwback Thursdays: Zelda Wynn Valdes – gal-dem". gal-dem.com. Archived from the original on 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  6. ^ McVeigh, Roisin (21 February 2019). "Watch Pagans, a short film about grief and girlhood in the UK countryside". Dazed. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  7. ^ Wigley, Lucy (17 May 2021). "Juliette Motamed as Ayesha". PopSugar. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  8. ^ Rimi, Aisha (20 May 2021). "We Are Lady Parts Will Redefine Your Understanding Of Punk". Bustle. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  9. ^ Jibril, Halima (11 March 2023). "AZADI.mp3 on Music, We Are Lady Parts and Being a Bad Bitch". Polyester. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  10. ^ Cremona, Patrick (10 February 2023). "Magic Mike's Last Dance cast: Who stars alongside Channing Tatum?". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  11. ^ "WHO IS, by AZADI.mp3". AZADI.mp3. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  12. ^ "APHRODITE, by AZADI.mp3". AZADI.mp3. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  13. ^ Tapponi, Roisin (20 June 2019). "Azadi.mp3 is the DJ to Watch this Year". Mille. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  14. ^ Ward, Billy (12 November 2019). "Azadi.mp3 articulates end-of-summer angst on 'Summer In The Crypt'". DMY. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  15. ^ Okonkwo, Emeka (16 November 2021). "AZADI.mp3 - NAZAR - Single Review". RA. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  16. ^ Hanford, Paul (30 September 2022). "Iranian DJs have joined forces for a global radio protest". The Face. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  17. ^ "programme". Another Sky Festival. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  18. ^ Guttridge-Hewitt, Martin (20 July 2023). "Apranik Records announces new compilation of electronic music by Iranian women, 'Intended Consequence'". DJ. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  19. ^ Hazboun, Christina (2023-10-26). "Women, life, freedom! Iranian electronic musicians reflect on a year of protest". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  20. ^ Murray, Robin (2025-01-02). "Next Wave #1207: AZADI.mp3 | Next Wave". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  21. ^ Davis, Jonathan (2025). "Azadi.mp3 - Polymath Perfectionist has Nothing More to Prove". Metal Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  22. ^ Muscat, Adam (2025-08-07). "AZADI.mp3 pledges new EP and merch proceeds for humanitarian cause". Mixmag MENA. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
  23. ^ "Azadi.mp3, Ableton Tutor". Hub16 Dalston. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Azadi.mp3". Refuge. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Juliette Motamed". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  26. ^ https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/itv-grace-s05e02-cast-31415754.amp
  27. ^ Akbar, Arifa (2024-10-30). "Wish You Were Here review – a subtle love letter to female friendship in Iran". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
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