Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tess Perez . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tess, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
My whole childhood I’ve been extremely shy. Growing up as a twin I’ve never had to speak up for myself. However I was passionate by music. My sister had told me if I wanted a career in music, I needed to learn to perform. And so I did. Scared as I may have been, I performed at every school show, I performed in weddings, at 14 years old I had been chosen to perform at the opening of the Lausanne 7th art festival in-front of thousands of people. For some reason big crowds were less scary than my everyday life. But I was still shy and felt I didn’t deserve to call myself a singer. It wasn’t until I moved to New York and embarked on a musical theatre journey that I really started to grow into the performer I’ve always wanted to be. My first day at the American Musical Dramatic Academy I had to sing a song in front of my brand new class mates. I was petrified. Not to mention I had never done any musical theatre before. I sung last (which was a terrible idea since everyone seemed so comfortable ) it was a disaster! I was shaking uncontrollably and super super quiet. I had to sing alone in class 3 times a week. It wasn’t until 2nd semester that I actually enjoyed standing in front of my class mates and doing my best ! (I think it was a mix of humiliating myself over and over and getting a fresh start with new students and music. ) In other classes i found a love for acting. Which had been monumental to my growth. It was the only class I always felt confident in. 2 years go by and I’m in my last semester (where I wish I had recorded my very first musical theatre class !) I was a different performer, a different person. I had discovered my belt (which I never thought I would achieve) I was raising my hand to go first because I was so exited to sing ! And I finally started to feel like I belonged. I overcame my life long shyness by putting in everything I had, not giving up and accepting/enjoying my “humiliations”. I also discovered new talents. Like acting.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
After College where I found my love for acting I really started to throw myself in it. While still maintaining my passion for music. I had my first job assisting Guy Burnet an Actor. We worked on every Auditon together and he quickly started to mentor me as an actor since he believed in me in such a motivating way. I learned so much from him. I shortly was flown out to Switzerland for the 7th art festival where I had the honor of performing alongside a French rockstar M (Matthieu Chedid) it was on his music that I learned to sing as a child ! It was an experience unlike any other. Filling the 2 floor concert room with fans squeezing in like sardines, Singing in front of a crowd screaming along to our singing! That memory will follow me throughout my career.
After I flew back to NY I booked my very first play, where I got to discover a completely different person. My Character was overly confident, sassy and brutally honest. I had a blast ! I love acting because I get to discover different parts of myself I don’t even know are in me ! I then had a Meeting with the Lasher group (my current managers) three incredible human beings I knew I had something great in my hands. These managers have been unlike anyone I had worked with, they send me projects I absolutely love and watch with intent my tapes and even give feedback. They saw something in me and for that I am so grateful. I once made Estelle lasher cry with my tape and that will remain my all time achievement! I then booked two short films with story lines that I adored. Modeling came in with no warning as I was walking in the street and got discovered by Glossier, I’ve since then worked 3 times with them and have a few more shoot dates aligned, the team was an absolute pleasure to work with and made me question my future in the modeling world… perhaps I may like it! Acting will however remain my main focus, with a few projects still pending im crossing my fingers and asking you all for the same !
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’ve always thought of kindness as the best quality for every path life leads you on. You can never go wrong with kindness, for yourself as much as the world around you.Then I would say perseverance, in general being stubborn on your goals may only insure success but especially as an actor rejection can not be avoided so we just have to keep on pushing. Lastly I would say to choose a career that supports your passion, it’ll only assure your devotion to your craft.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
A few books have played into my development. I read a lot of biographies and every time I finish one I feel I’ve grown and learned new life lessons. The most impactful book I’ve read so far has been “The Choice” by Edith Eger. I’ve learned that you can’t always choose what happens around you but you can choose how you let it effect you. Her mindset helped her survive horrors. “Even in hell hope can flower” I’ve recommended this book to friends going through hard times in life and seen them learn and grow. I think everyone should read this book.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tessindiaperez
