MIRANDA TAPSELL

Indigenous Australian actress bringing awareness to the lack of diversity in TV and film

MY ROLE MODEL IS MY MUM, BECAUSE SHE HAS THE My BIGGEST HEART BUT SHE IS AN ABSOLUTE WARRIOR. mentor is actress Leah Purcell, because she is unapologetic in the stories she wants to tell and the way in which she wants to tell them. And my inspiration is Viola Davis, because she’s so articulate about her experience as an actress and as an Africanamerican woman. I hope I can speak my truth in the way that she does hers.

I’M A VERY PRIVILEGED ABORIGINAL WOMAN, SO I HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED THE SAME ADVERSITY AS OTHER FIRST NATIONS But I’ve experienced casual AUSTRALIANS. racism, derogatory terms disguised as jokes... And when it happens, I pull people up on it. Even when it means they won’t like what I have to say.

I USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO AMPLIFY VOICES THAT AREN’T It’s something I’m still learning. I’m also not HEARD. keen to dive into semantics with trolls. I stay on message. For my own self-care, I have to choose which battles to fight.

TO KEEP HAPPY AND HEALTHY, I GO TO YOGA AND MEDITATE. I’ve often fallen off that wagon but I’m back on and I feel good. When I eat junk, I eat healthier the next day. Acknowledging when I’m not okay emotionally is healthy, too.

THE ACHIEVEMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF IS GETTING MY when The PARENTS INTO THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL Sapphires was screening there in 2012. I thought they wouldn’t be allowed and the producers got permission. It was so special to have them there.

IN AN INSTANTANEOUS CULTURE, I’VE REALISED THAT ANY FORM OF LEARNING DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

Patience and persistence get you there.