From canary island outsider to global star: taz skylar’s unconventional rise
Taz Skylar, the Tenerife-born actor captivating audiences as Sanji in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, embodies a story far richer than the surface-level excitement surrounding a burgeoning star. His journey, recently detailed in an interview with El Español, reveals a childhood marked by social isolation and a persistent feeling of being an outsider, a stark contrast to the global recognition he now enjoys.
Finding belonging in the surf, leaving a mark on one piece
Born Tarek Yassin Skylar on December 5, 1995, in Tenerife, the actor’s upbringing was shaped by his Lebanese father and English mother, navigating a world that often felt distant. While he’d previously appeared in productions like The Kill Team, it was his casting as Sanji in 2021 that propelled him into the international spotlight. But it’s not merely his presence in a cultural phenomenon like Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece that’s noteworthy; Skylar is fiercely protective of his Spanish heritage, even engaging in playful culinary debates with his castmates and lending his distinctive Canarian accent to the Spanish dubbing of the series.
The interview with El Español offers a revealing look into the challenges Skylar faced growing up. He describes a childhood where social connection proved elusive, finding solace primarily in the world of surfing. “I didn’t connect socially with anyone. I didn’t have many friends,” he confessed. The constant feeling of being “the guiri,” the outsider, weighed heavily on him, a sentiment that resonated deeply, particularly during school days, as his mother would anxiously watch him alone during recess. His passion for surfing eventually led him to Australia, a place where he finally felt a sense of belonging.
Yet, despite his international success, Skylar remains a staunch advocate for Spanish representation in One Piece. He argues that the series, while undeniably an American production, is a global endeavor, drawing talent and inspiration from diverse backgrounds. “It’s easy for this series, a property owned by an American company, to be perceived as solely American. But it isn’t. It’s a project involving many countries, with contributors from different backgrounds, and it’s important to highlight that Spain is also part of the equation.”
Skylar’s story is a potent reminder that global recognition doesn't erase one's roots. His commitment to showcasing Spanish culture within the context of a globally beloved franchise speaks volumes about his identity and his desire to bridge cultural divides. The young actor's journey, from a solitary childhood on the shores of Tenerife to a starring role in one of the world’s most popular series, is just beginning, and the world is watching.