State Department Thinks Ex-Mustang, Cowboys Cheerleader Sarah Shahi Is Worth a Profile

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Jan. 6 2011 at 11:47 AM

I was watching Ocean's Thirteen on USA last night -- couldn't sleep, thought that would do it, didn't, don't judge -- and was inundated with promos for a new series called Fairly Legal, about a mediator at an IKEA store who likes to strip down to her underwear, though I could have that wrong. I thought the lead looked familiar (from The Sopranos, right?) but couldn't place the name, at least not till I came across this profile of the actress on America.gov, a website operated by the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs, which, cough, "engages international audiences on issues of foreign policy, society and values to help create an environment receptive to U.S. national interests." Just like US Weekly!

Anyway. It's Sarah Shahi, the Euless native who became a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader during her freshman year at SMU for reasons we explained during the summer of '08, when Esquire named "Walking Blue Balls" a "Woman We Love" back when she starred on NBC's short-lived Life. So why the federally funded profile? Because she was born Aahoo Jahansouz Shahi, grew up speaking Persian and is "a great-great-granddaughter of a 19th-century Iranian ruler, Fath Ali Shah Qajar." You're now free to have international relations with Google Image search.

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LaceyB

Entertainment Weekly just did a write-up about this series. Now I recall where Shahi was from--"L Word". The gal that broke Shane's heart--season 3, I think. Kinda annoying.

"Fairly Legal" looks super soapy and cloying, but, in her words, her character is "feisty, sexy, flirty, but at the same time, she's very childlike." Blech!

I would have much rather seen "Ocean's Does Thirteen" ahem... "Ocean's Thirteen".

"IT? Uh, yeah, I'm going to need a new keyboard."

pak152

yowser!

LaceyB

Same gal who caught some fire on Unfair for "Charlie Wilson's War" if my memory serves. And, when it comes to US Weekly (whose stories suck, but whose gossip is early and nearly 100%), my memory rocks. US also brought my dad and I together. Ever heard a late-50er discuss the merits and differences of the Snooki pouf? Didn't think so.

Robert, sounds like your late night TV watching included some suspect flipping btwn channels. So, how "premium" is that "premium cable package"? Ever considered Ambien?