Egyptian actor Mohamed Youssef, known as “Ozo”, has broken his silence in a rare honest manner after his appearance in the series “Companion of the Earth” attracted public attention during the 2026 Ramadan drama season, putting an end to the speculations that had been raised recently about why he had a bent back.
A rare disease hidden behind the scenes
Ozo explained through his Facebook account that he suffers from a rare immune disease known as sclerosing spondylitis. This is a disease that attacks the spine, causing chronic pain and stiffness that can affect the way you stand and move. He noted that he is currently undergoing biological treatment aimed at stabilizing his condition and preventing it from worsening, in order to control his symptoms and maintain his ability to work and live as normally as possible.
Between surgical decision and complications
Ozo has made no secret of his quest to find surgical solutions to help improve the appearance of his curved back. It was revealed that artist Dr. Ashraf Zaki, head of the Acting Professions Syndicate, accompanied him and consulted a plastic surgeon. However, the doctors asked to postpone the surgical intervention for a year, although the usual recovery period for such an operation does not exceed 6 months.
Nevertheless, Ozo confirmed that he would stick with the idea of surgery to another doctor who took into account his complex health condition and balanced cosmetic considerations with precise medical considerations.
Pain that no one notices
Away from the spotlight, Ozo stressed that she did not want to publicize her illness to seek sympathy, but would rather remain silent and endure the pain patiently. As a result, many of those close to him were unaware of the nature of his symptoms, despite the severe pain he experienced every day and tried to alleviate with multiple treatments, including manual therapy and hydrotherapy.
Messages of apology and recognition
At the end of his speech, Ozo apologized to everyone who criticized his gait or his appearance in the series, emphasizing that what seems like a formal difference to some is actually a daily battle that he is silently fighting.
After his appearance in the series “Sahab al-Aad” caught the attention of viewers during the 2026 Ramadan drama season, Egyptian actor Mohamed Youssef, known as “Oz”, broke his silence with a rare honesty, putting an end to the speculations that have recently surfaced about the reason for his hunched back.
A rare disease lurking behind the scenes
Ozu explained through his Facebook account that he suffers from a rare autoimmune disease known as ankylosing spondylitis. It is a disease that attacks the spine, causing chronic pain and stiffness that can affect posture and movement. He revealed that he is currently undergoing biological treatment aimed at stabilizing his condition and preventing it from worsening, in order to manage his symptoms and maintain his ability to work and live as normally as possible.
Between surgical decision and complications
Director Ozu has made no secret of his pursuit of a surgical solution to improve the appearance of his hunched back, revealing that he consulted beauty experts along with artist Dr. Ashraf Zaki, a top figure in the acting industry. However, the doctors requested that the surgical intervention be postponed for a year, although the usual recovery period for such an operation does not exceed six months.
Nevertheless, Ozu confirmed his commitment to the idea of having the surgery performed by another doctor who took into account his complex health condition and balanced cosmetic and precise medical considerations.
Pain that no one notices
Ozu stressed that he did not want to publicize his illness in order to seek sympathy and to stay out of the spotlight, preferring to endure the pain patiently in silence. Despite the severe pain he experiences on a daily basis, some of his loved ones remain unaware of the nature of his symptoms, despite attempts to alleviate them through various therapeutic modalities, including manual therapy and hydrotherapy.
Messages of apology and recognition
In conclusion, director Ozu apologized to everyone who criticized the way he walked or looked in the series, asserting that what may seem like mere superficial differences to some are actually daily battles he silently fights.
