We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Donna Benedicto a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Donna, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
There were aspects of my childhood that forced me to adapt the way I thought about obstacles. My parents were young immigrants who worked incredibly hard to raise my brother and I while trying to create a good life in a new country. I grew up watching them sacrifice and struggle, and that made me appreciative of all the small victories that came from their hard work.
I think one of the most difficult things I had to deal with was the fixation of Filipino culture on image and skin colour, especially growing up in a predominantly white neighbourhood. I came to understand that as a dark skinned Asian girl, my looks had no value, and so instead I found confidence in my personality. It was healing to have that trust in myself, and my family gave me the support I needed to love who I was becoming.
One of my favourite things about myself is the sense of humour I developed from using it to resolve conflicts – one time when I was 9, I called a family mediation during a stretch of high tension in my household, armed with a clipboard and everything. Knowing that I could help people smile and laugh while also smiling and laughing myself always kept me on the positive side of things. From a young age, I learned through my experience that you become a better, stronger, more resilient person by making your way through challenges, and I’ve carried that optimism with me ever since.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a Canadian-born Filipina who transitioned from full-time singing to acting when I saw a need for better Asian representation in film. This mission springs from personal experience—growing up, I rarely saw women like me on screen. Witnessing lead characters who don’t mirror your identity can subtly reinforce the belief that your stories don’t have value. Even when I began acting in 2013, I believed a supporting role was the best someone like me could hope for. But a decade later, I’m proud to be part of the representation movement.
In 2020, as the Black Lives Matter movement and the pandemic demanded more inclusion out of the industry, I was finally considered for a lead role. That has now lead to recent highlights like playing a supporting lead in “With Love and a Major Organ,” an indie film that debuted at SXSW and is making rounds at various film festivals. My music and acting also converged this year when one of my original songs was featured in a TV movie, and I’ll be making a guest star appearance on a show in 2024, although I can’t reveal all the details yet.
I’m championing diversity across all facets of the craft, from shared narratives to casting choices. The success of productions like “Parasite” and “Crazy Rich Asians” show a shift in the landscape of film, and I am beyond excited to be present at such a monumental time in history. I hope my achievements embolden fellow Filipino and Asian actors to dare to dream beyond what they see in the current industry!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
There are three key aspects that have deeply influenced my journey: a commitment to growth, unwavering confidence, and a lighthearted approach to life.
1. Embrace Growth: One of the most transformative qualities I’ve encountered is a relentless pursuit of learning and self-improvement. I find that this outlook allows you to extract valuable lessons from any situation and adds a layer of richness to your journey. Regardless of circumstances, you can turn challenges into opportunities, and stepping beyond your comfort zone is less scary. There is no truly bad experience when you focus on growth, as every single one becomes a stepping stone to better yourself.
2. Unshakeable Confidence: Making decisions based on my personal principles and beliefs is a cornerstone of my self-esteem. Staying true to my values, regardless of external opinions, gives me a deep sense of self-respect and empowerment. As actors, or in any profession, confidence radiates in your work, and staying strong in your convictions influences not only your career but also your entire perspective on life.
3. Embrace Lightheartedness: The unpredictable entertainment industry (and life in general) is a roller coaster of highs and lows, and approaching it with a sense of humour can be a game-changer. Finding moments of levity in any situation helps me navigate through anything – not taking life too seriously creates a buoyancy that makes both wins and losses more manageable.
For those embarking on their own journey, I encourage you to focus on growth, nurture your confidence through principled decisions, and always find a reason to smile. Just know that you will encounter setbacks and bad days, but they are an important part of your story, and that story will be all the more unique and impressive because of it. If I can make it, so can you!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Do you have any advice or strategies?
I’ve honed a few strategies to help me regain balance and take charge of my emotions when I’m overwhelmed.
1. Pause and Reflect: In moments of being overwhelmed, I’ve come to appreciate the power of simply pausing. Sometimes I even nap! When napping isn’t an option, I’ve learned to step back, take a few deep breaths, and remember we’re all tiny things floating on a rock in space. This break helps me to gather my thoughts, reevaluate priorities, and approach the situation with a more clear and less stressed mindset.
2. Embrace Support: Asking for help used to be a challenge for me, as I tend to pride myself on independence. Over time, I’ve realized that seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness, but a testament to the strength of human connection. Just as I’m always ready to offer assistance to others, I’ve come to understand that people in my life are more than willing to lend a helping hand when I need it most.
3. Harnessing Nervous Energy: When nervousness and anxiety creep in, I’ve discovered a unique way to channel that energy. Instead of viewing it as a hindrance, I’ve reframed it as a source of extra fuel. I remind myself that this heightened state is my body’s way of providing me with resources to tackle challenges head-on. It might sound a bit quirky, but I even have conversations with myself, expressing gratitude for this boost while kindly requesting that it be paced out rather than experienced all at once. This dialogue helps me to feel a sense of empowerment as I change the emotions I feel from negative to positive ones
In my line of work, where every ounce of energy can make a difference, these strategies have proven to be invaluable. Whether it’s stepping back to reassess, leaning on my support system, or even having a heart-to-heart with my own nerves, these approaches have become my go-to tools for navigating through demanding situations, staying resilient in the face of adversity, and emerging on the other side with a renewed sense of purpose and control.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: donna_b4real
Image Credits
Photographer: J Benson.
