A Multifaceted Creative: Arabella Sezen Oz

Basic Information

Early Life and Education

Arabella Sezen Oz was born in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, on November 26, 1991. She was the youngest daughter in a successful family and grew up with scientific discourse from her surgeon father and artistic inquiry. She studied film studies at Columbia University in New York City from 2009 to 2013. At Columbia, she worked on student-led film lab projects to improve her scripting and directing talents.

Arabella completed a master’s certificate in Child and Family Therapy in 2016 after earning her B.A. After getting her therapist license, she split her time between private practice and art. Her work emphasizes real character development and psychological understanding from her narrative arts and family therapy backgrounds.

Family Background and Relationships

Arabella is the third of four siblings born to Dr. Mehmet Oz (b. June 11, 1960), a cardiothoracic surgeon and television host, and Lisa Lemole Oz (b. July 20, 1963), an author and media personality. Her siblings include:

Medicine and community leadership are Oz family traditions. Arabella’s maternal grandparents, heart transplant pioneer Gerald Lemole and township commissioner Emily Jane Asplundh Lemole, instilled a service culture. Arabella’s upbringing balanced intellectual rigor with creative flexibility, allowing her to seamlessly transition between Hollywood and therapy.

Film and Creative Career

Arabella’s on-screen career began in 2015 with a supporting role in the independent feature When the Starlight Ends, acting opposite Sam Heughan. She continued to secure roles in both television and film, balancing guest appearances with recurring parts.

Selected Filmography

Arabella and her fiancé, Nick Canellakis, co-directed and performed in an indie film in summer 2024. She went from actor to auteur director with that picture, which is in post-production. Her involvement in academic filmmaking is shown by her writing credits on multiple award-nominated Columbia University Film Lab short films.

Therapeutic Practice and Advocacy

Besides her painting, Arabella is a professional child and family therapist. She has counseled clients on early childhood attachment and teenage identity formation since 2016. She uses narrative therapy to help individuals rewrite their stories and overcome trauma.

She speaks at creative arts therapy conferences on cinema narrative structures and family systems theory due to her dual employment. Over 200 mental health professionals attended her 2022 workshop, “Cinematic Journeys: Healing Through Story.”

Engagement and Marriage

Arabella’s life changed in spring 2023 when her father announced her engagement to classical cellist and filmmaker Nick Canellakis on social media. With 150 guests, their August 20, 2024 wedding in upstate New York included conventional ceremonies with contemporary features like a string quartet performance.

The couple’s honeymoon fund on Zola specifically targeted a ten-day cultural tour across Provence and the French Riviera, reflecting their shared love of arts and travel.

Public Presence and Recent Mentions

Arabella maintains an active Instagram presence under the handle @arabellasoz, where she shares insights on children’s storytelling, family therapy reflections, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her film projects. Key highlights include:

• July 2023: An Instagram Carousel post celebrating her mother’s influence on family dinners, viewed by over 20,000 followers.
• February 2025: Featured in a “7 Fascinating Facts” article about Dr. Oz’s youngest daughter, emphasizing her dual career in film and therapy.
• March 2025: Appeared in a “Meet Dr. Oz’s 4 Kids” feature, showcasing the tight bond among the Oz siblings.

Arabella also writes on creative storytelling for early children development on parenting websites. Her expertise in this field has been mentioned in pediatric treatment forums and online parenting groups with over 50,000 regular readers.

FAQ

What is Arabella Sezen Oz’s educational background?

She earned a B.A. in Film Studies from Columbia University in 2013 and completed a master’s-level certificate in Child and Family Therapy in 2016.

In which films has Arabella Sezen Oz appeared?

Her credits include When the Starlight Ends (2015), Stalker’s Prey (2017), Jigsaw (2017), and Billionaire Boys Club (2018).

Does Arabella Oz practice therapy?

Yes, since 2016 she has maintained a private practice as a licensed child and family therapist.

When did Arabella Oz get married?

She married Nick Canellakis on August 20, 2024.

What is her role in filmmaking?

She has co-directed an independent feature in 2024 and written scripts for award-nominated short films.

How does she engage with social media?

She posts on Instagram about children’s storytelling, therapy insights, and film projects under the handle @arabellasoz.

References