Today we’d like to introduce you to Indya Bussey.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Whew, my story… Let me just say that I, nor my craft, would be anywhere near where I’m at without my village and upbringing. You know, I didn’t even want to be an actor when I was younger; I wanted to be a pediatrician. I went through South Cobb’s magnet program for two years of my high school career and everything. Medicine was cool, and I respect it, but it didn’t feel like me.
I fell in love with acting when I was in middle school, actually. The first time I saw West Side Story at Monroe Area High School is when I truly saw myself on a stage in the future. I didn’t think it would be anything more than a hobby, hence the magnet program. But, the more I didn’t embrace acting, the more my soul yearned for the stage. So, I left the magnet program and my medical dreams to pursue everything about acting. I didn’t do it all by myself, either. Without Young Voices United, Turner Chapel AME Drama Ministry, Columbus State University’s Theatre Department, Houghton Talent, and my dad, mentor, and favorite Starr, Nic Starr, I would still be that little kid just trying at this thing. Film is great and I’ll always love it, but theatre… theatre will always be my biggest passion.
I know my father is looking down on me in Heaven, just beaming, because he’s proud that I’m passionately walking down this path. Where he left off, my dad, Nic Starr, flawlessly picked up the baton. Without his and my mom’s undying love and support, I wouldn’t have pursued what my heart and soul wanted to do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Choosing this path has absolutely not been a smooth road. Anybody who says that it’s easy… they just haven’t been doing it long enough. Rejection… That is one of the biggest obstacles that I had to overcome. I still am, to be honest. It’s hard out here for an actor. We receive 999,999 “no’s” before we receive that one “yes!” The “actor’s depression” (as I’ve come to recognize it as) shortly follows after all of those “no’s”. The “what if I’m not good enough?” feeling is positively one of the hardest mountains to climb over on the inside. That’s why I believe it’s VERY important for an actor/artists to have a consistent and supportive village around them, especially during those times.
Aside from the rejection, learning the craft of acting has been one of my greatest achievements to date. At the end of the day, an actor really isn’t “acting.” My dad always tells me, “If I can tell you’re acting, you’re not doing your job.” We’re living… onstage and/or onscreen. We’re allowing ourselves to be vulnerable enough to live truthfully in imaginary circumstances. Vulnerability is hard. At first, I know it was hard for me. I distinctly remember my very first acting class in the BFA program at CSU. I had just finished an exercise and Larry, my professor, was like, “drop the sarcasm.” I didn’t even realize I was being as sarcastic as I was. When I was made aware of it, it was the hardest thing to break. It was my defense mechanism. However, learning how to step outside of myself and allow my feelings to be free enough to embody another character was difficult… but liberating.
Ha! This? A smooth road? Oh no, no, no. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The obstacles and challenges have made me a better artist and a better person.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an artist at heart… If you’ve seen me onscreen, it would’ve been as Blue Cinnamon in the first episode of P-Valley on STARZ or as DeeDee in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+. I was really excited about that one because I was in all six episodes. I’ve been in more shows onstage than I’ve been in onscreen. I actually just closed a show as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias at Marietta’s Theatre in the Square in Marietta, GA. I’ve also been in a short film recently that’ll be coming out soon! I’m known more as an actor. However, I’m doing more writing to produce my own content (be on the lookout!).
I’ve realized that I’m a storyteller. I’m proud of myself for realizing that and pursuing creating/writing along with my acting career. I’m most proud of my persistence, my growth, and my spirit. I could’ve given up a long time ago. But God… whew! With Him, I got through it all. I’ve grown so much, and the sky is the limit from here.
What matters most to you? Why?
God, family and community. Simply I am who I am because of them. I am truly of the belief that we are not meant to do this thing called life alone and by ourselves. Family, whether by blood or chosen, is there for me when I can’t be there for myself. Family loves and supports me when it’s one of those days and I need some assistance to keep my head up. A loving and supportive community helps to carry the burden when I feel like the world is crushing me and I feel like I’m going to break. All the glory goes to God at the end of the day because He’s the one that brings that village to me and me to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: imdb.me/indyabussey
- Instagram: @indyabussey
Image Credits
Mother of Lost Things, Short Film*(Coming Soon) The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Disney+ Steel Magnolias, Marietta’s Theatre in the Square Conspiracy Theorist, Short Film*(Coming Soon)
