610 days into the journey. I booked it.

London. One day.

On the 9th of May in 2020, I told the world I wanted to be an actress. Okay, maybe not the world, but a Telegram group. A photographer told me to send him a self-introduction tape. I sent it after 30 tries (I was a naïve 17 year old!) - I slurred through my words, could not keep my eyes on the camera, and I could not even remember my own name the moment I hit "record". I was a JC2 student in lockdown, trying to make sense of the new world order where nothing made sense anymore. I did not know what acting was. I was set on doing whatever it takes to enter the acting industry, but I knew zilch about the process.

10 days into 2022, I booked my first role of the year - a lead role in one of the most beautifully written short films I've ever seen. It took 610 days of dreaming like I've never dreamed before, but it was worth the wait. I know there's so much more to work on, and when I see my friends booking Netflix 10 years into their career, of course I wish I could be there and winning at this long game. But I know it's not my time yet. My day will arrive. I just have to be there when it comes.

12 days into 2022, I felt like my world had come crashing down on me. My Round 1 audition for Leeds Conservatoire which I had worked so hard for was gone, just like that. I knew that to get into the next round, you essentially had to be a finalist. I wasn't. The devastation is slowly settling in, but I know that tomorrow I will get up again and continue working for it.

That's the life of an actor. It's full of constant and deeply personal rejections. But the strongest among us will rise up and overcome the odds to get there.

Days have passed. I found a new surge of energy and I'm riding that wave. I'm making corrections to my song, making the acting stronger, creating more meaningful vocal choices, ironing out rookie mistakes and learning along the way. I'm determined to get to the UK by September this year and I will do everything it takes to make it happen. This time, I will.

Meanwhile, rehearsals for my short film is about to begin! I'm so excited. Updates coming soon.

I'll sign off for now.