Souléymane Sy Savané, a renowned individual from Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa, was born and raised in the vibrant art district known as cité des arts. This thriving environment, surrounded by internationally-acclaimed artists from various entertainment fields, significantly influenced his early life and artistic development.
As a young boy, Souléymane's fascination with American culture began when his father took him to an American exposition. It was there that he was mesmerized by the iconic Luna car and a chemist's impressive demonstration of coca cola production on the spot. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in American culture and values.
Souléymane's early years were marked by a passion for sports, as he played basketball in Africa and Paris. His modeling career also began to take shape, as he worked as a runway model for the renowned designer Issey Miyake. He then transitioned to a career in aviation, serving as a flight attendant for the intercontinental airline Air Afrique.
Souléymane's journey eventually led him to New York, where he faced his greatest challenge: learning the English language. To achieve this, he relied on waiting tables and watching television, eventually becoming proficient in the language.
Once settled, Souléymane focused on his acting career, enrolling in acting classes with renowned coaches Susan Batson and Dr. Ruth Kulerman. His breakthrough role came in the critically-acclaimed film 'Goodbye Solo', for which he received nominations for the Independent Spirit and Gotham awards.
