2026 Women of Live: Sarah Tehrani Maya

Sarah Tehrani Maya
WME | Music & Branding Agent

CURRENT RIDE OR DIE ARTIST | “Lately the real ride or die in my house is ‘Shhh Baby Sleep Settling Sounds’ by Dream Supplier.”

Sarah Tehrani Maya considers 2025 to have been one of her most transformative years yet. Her client Nelly’s headline tour crossed more than 50 cities and multiple continents. Audrey Nuna found success through “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” where she voiced one of the main characters, as did her client EJAE who just won an Oscar for her co-writing the film’s smash hit “Golden.” Meanwhile, Summer Walker set out on her first arena run. Thuy returned to touring as direct support for Madison Beer. UMI released her album People’s Stories, Joyce Wrice saw a breakout with her song “Break Me In,” and Mack Keane and María Isabel appeared on artists-to-watch lists. But, the greatest highlight of all, came with the birth of her first child.

“It also came during a period of major industry and personal change – from agency transitions to the Los Angeles fires and multiple evacuations, to moving to a new home and supporting family health challenges,” Maya says. “Experiencing all of that at once gave me a much sharper sense of focus and intention. It clarified what matters, who shows up when it counts, and how I want to spend my energy. I came back to work with a renewed sense of purpose and drive.”

Maya shares that her parents immigrated to the United States from Iran, and education and career stability were heavily emphasized in her household: “My mom was the first woman in her family to go to college and built her own career while raising a family, so I was raised by a very strong woman who modeled independence, discipline, and ambition. That foundation shaped how I approach everything in my life.”

Growing up in Los Angeles, Maya was always fascinated by entertainment, but initially didn’t see a clear path into the industry. Thanks to a college professor’s encouragement, she decided to go all-in and figure out how she could follow her dreams.

“After filling out what felt like 100+ job applications and doing rounds of interviews at several companies, I eventually landed at WME through a series of introductions,” she says. “My fifth and final interview at WME was with Kirk Sommer. Thankfully he took a chance on me – and here I am more than a decade later working as a music agent in the live business. This career is demanding, but it’s also where I’ve found that my instincts and strengths align the most.”