Ayan Ahmed was born in 2000 in Somalia, Motoban, and moved to Sweden at eight with her mother. As an only child, she felt lonely both in Somalia and Sweden, which spurred her creativity. To cope with loneliness, she created characters that provided her companionship. Unlike other Swedish kids, she didn’t grow up watching cartoons but had Tom & Jerry and her imagination.

Ayan’s dream of acting began at six, watching Somali actor Awkuuku perform in theater with her mother. His portrayal of a seven-year-old boy felt personal to Ayan, and it inspired her to pursue acting. Though she initially imagined acting in Somalia, her journey led her to Sweden.

In her final year of high school, Ayan learned about a casting call for Snabba Cash through a friend. When she arrived, she discovered the role was written for boys. This challenge only fueled her determination, and she successfully auditioned. Four months later, Snabba Cash became her acting debut, marking the start of her career. Two years later, Ayan had completed two seasons, growing both as an actress and a person.

Ayan also starred in LIGGA, a comedic drama released in 2021, shortly after Snabba Cash. In addition to acting, she writes scripts to express herself and refine her craft, especially considering she couldn’t read or write when she arrived in Sweden. Swedish was the first language she became literate in.
Beyond acting and writing, Ayan teaches theater to young people at a literature-focused organization, furthering her passion for the arts.