Leia JACOUTOT shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Leia, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day…
Well, it generally starts with a very large coffee and a little beauty routine. Then (if I don’t have an audition or a shoot) I check my mails, reach out to industry people, apply to castings and do some self tapes if I need to. After that, I either go work out or take a walk and go to a museum. In the afternoon I tend to work on my own projects. Then I get myself ready (physically and mentally) to go do my play. After work, I either go out with friends or come home and write or see a movie.
My days change a lot because I don’t have a 9 to 5 schedule. Everything is uncertain.
When you work in the evening it’s hard at the beginning to fill your day productively but when you manage to do so it becomes a hell of a fun life!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Leia Jacoutot and I’m an actress born and raised in Paris. I come from a family of artists so my will to become one doesn’t come from nowhere.
I am a very curious person and I always wanted to travel the world. As a result I went to study acting in London, Paris and New York where I stayed almost 4 years. I did my first professional play there in an off broadway theatre (Theatre for the new city) as well as other little short films and commercials.
Apart from cinema/theater I’m also big for dancing. I’ve been taking classes since I was very little (mostly modern jazz and a little bit of ballet). I like linking this art into my work as an actor.
Today I am doing a play at the Theatre Edgar in Paris in a comedy called “La photo de mon pote” playing until June 2026. I also have representation (agents) both in France and the UK but my dream one day is to come back to the US.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents mostly.
My dad is a very hardworking self made man who was actually an actor in his younger years.
He really taught me that nothing falls on your lap as well as the pleasure of accomplishing something by yourself.
When I told him that I wanted to be an actor he really pushed me to study the craft.
I really admire him and his work and that pushes me everyday to work. more and make him proud.
My mum, when I was younger, made me take dance, music, drawing, english classes and much more. Thanks to that, I think today I’m way more comfortable juggling things all the time and it boosted my creativity at a young age. She is also an actress which is very helpful in a daily manner because I have a more realistic vision towards this industry and the work/mindset demanded and also someone too look up to. She introduces me to people working in the arts as well which is a true priviledge.
They were both always on my back, making me more resilience, focus…And I thank them today.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Making a mistake.
I was always a straight A student, everything had to be done in the right way, following the rules and being a success.
I’m a people pleaser and I hate disappointing them (especially my parents).
However for my job you really have to make mistakes or be willing to try because then you have the best and most genuine results.
Acting is about feelings, transforming, telling stories and so there is not a right or wrong answer. Thus, you’re bound to try stuff your whole life and some will work while other won’t. So it’s our job to make mistakes that how we create and it’s okay. I mean if we fail nobody dies-we’re not doctors or pilots.
The more fearless an actor is the better he is and the futher he will go. That applies for every kind of artists and people in general I think.
That was a huge eye opener for me and I often still struggle with it. I try to use this lesson in my day to day life and it’s quite liberating.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think, to an extent, no. But isn’t that true for everybody?
The core is the same but the “mask” is indeed not.
In public I’m more patient I guess, overly nice and interested in everybody because in this industry you kinda have to in order to make connections. I’m also a people pleaser as Isaid before so I can’t help it.
In private I’m someone rather calm, reserved whereas my mask outside is way more outgoing, confident, showing a “louder” personality. It can be tiring sometimes for me as I’m not the mks sociable person but it’s muscle I need to train.
The goal is just to be “actress presentable” so that people want to work with me. My self is my firm in a way as well as my instrument so it makes sense that I should be more businessy when I step outside my home.
But it’s not always easy and comfortable to manage. It’s almost like a game where everybody plays a different character.
So when you find people in this industry with whom you can be yourself don’t let them go!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
Build/Create something of mine by myself.
I tend to wait for permission or for someone to take my hand or for the right moment before doing something.
That goes again with the fear of making a mistake and searching for perfection…
But I would regret not writing my own movie or play one day and putting it in the public eye. And, coupled with that, waiting too long to do so. It would be the best feeling in the world to accomplish that. But in order to do so I would need to accept that people might not think it’s good and that I would have to try again.
I think my biggest flaw is procrastination (not out of laziness but out of fear) and thus I’d need to break this habit to reach my biggest goals/dreams. I want to aim high.
It’s also a challenge to myself to create something from scratch. We tell other people’ stories as actors and I would like once to choose/create my story to tell. And many people are already doing it so I don’t have any excuses.
I know deep down that I’ll do it one day but the real question is when? Cause if it’s later in life I’ll have less chances/time to make it better or create something new. The pressure will be stronger.
Final touch, I would regret not having at least once acted with a person that I admired all my life…
Better remorse that regret!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leia.jacoutot/
Image Credits
Julie Reggiani
Pamela Torres
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
