Meet Dayandra de Miranda Leao | Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dayandra de Miranda Leao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dayandra, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I think about risk, I think about how to be courageous and brave is to know what you’re afraid of and to do it anyway. I was born in Brazil, and I came to the United States with my parents and older brothers when I was really young. My mom and dad had to face the impossible just to give me and my brothers a chance at a better life. They took that level of risk so that we would be able to do whatever we set our minds to. And it’s hard to measure up to that. I’m sure many other immigrant children feel the impossible weight of paying back a sacrifice that large, and I came to the conclusion that the best way I could pay it forward was to be so unapologetically myself. To face life each day with all I had to offer, no matter how scared I was. When I found acting, everyone around me was so quick to talk about how difficult it was, how impossible it could be, how it was a one in a million chance. But all I could think about was how magical it was to me, how I needed to make people smile or laugh or cry, how I loved telling stories. I’ve felt in my bones that I was an artist. When I first picked up a crayon and willed myself to draw, when I later decided to get up on stage and be whatever character they’d throw at me, when I would openly allow every emotion to come to the forefront just to move someone who was watching. So yes, it was nearly impossible, but to be an artist is to know that and to risk it all anyway. Growing up with little to nothing, then putting myself through college before taking the huge leap of moving out to Los Angeles and supporting myself all on my own — I did it in the face of immense fear. Now I’m here, and I get to create, and I get to live in the constant pursuit of what brightens my heart. I owe it all to my parents who risked it all and showed me that to dream is a privilege, and if we’re lucky enough to find our passion, we owe it to the world to chase it with everything we have.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My guiding principle as an actor is to spread love, positivity, and empathy wherever I go. When I was a kid, watching anime or playing video games or being blown away by the films and TV shows I watched, I could sense the power of artists everywhere. Art has the ability to change people’s perceptions, to make someone empathize for someone else, to get them to root for their favorite character or discuss why the story should have gone one way or another. I want to be a part of that, and to make every set I work on full of my own version of sunlight. I am most proud of myself for always acknowledging my crew, no matter the project, and always giving thanks to the casting directors, directors, executives, and producers who took a chance on me. It’s not always easy to believe in yourself, and I certainly have faced my fair share of challenges with my anxiety and depression. But despite the things I’ve lived through, I choose to be in that constant, active pursuit of the sun. I choose to spread happiness to those around me, because I think it is a gift to be able to create anything. But most of all, I’ve learned that we have to put in the work to get there. So I work as hard as I can each day to make sure I am the best actor I can be, so that I make the lives of those around me easier on set and so that audiences get lost in the story through me. I got my BFA, I’ve auditioned so many times in the face of rejection, I give 110% in whatever project I am cast in, I’ve taken every class I can, and I am a lifelong student who receives feedback with open arms so I can continue to improve. I aim to make someone out there feel something when they watch me in one of my projects. I want people to feel the magic of storytelling, just like I did when I was a little girl watching Lord of the Rings or One Piece or Ghibli movies or Star Wars. Being an actor is nothing without us impacting those we share our art with, and when folks see me, I hope that they see someone who never gave up, relentlessly kept at her dream, and always tried to face each day with a smile.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone was visiting the area, I would definitely take them around to the Academy Award Museum where they can see all sorts of displays and memorabilia from the movies that defined us. It is such an inspiring museum. I also think that The Iliad, this little bookshop in North Hollywood, is just a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. There are two sweet bookshop cats and lots of hidden literary treasures in there. I also love Guild Hall for all the gamer-themed drinks, and then the Griffith Observatory is just out of this world (pun intended). I also think it’s fun to go on the studio tours around town, like the Warner Bros Studio Tour where you get to see a working lot. I personally loved seeing all of the behind the scenes of our favorite shows and I definitely freaked out at all of the Wonder Woman stuff I saw in there, because she’s my favorite superhero. It was just surreal to see her costumes and all the Batmobiles. Also, I’d say that Grand Central Market has some of the BEST food around, and for all my anime fans, you have to check out Anime Station in Little Tokyo. It’s seriously amazing!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My story would be nothing without my support system, guiding me through every roadblock I faced and mountain I had to climb. I owe so much to so many, and they all know who they are. But I would love to give a special shoutout to Brock Crockom, my best friend and partner, who has been through with me through it all. He’s been by my side cheerleading me on since the start. My acting coaches Ryan Mulkay and Robert D’Avanzo who have believed in me since I stepped foot on the West Coast and are constantly pushing me to go even further. Sam Valentine, the first person to believe in me in Los Angeles, who is such a light in my life and her support and mentorship have guided me throughout everything I’ve done in my career. Gabrielle Byndloss, who was the next person to have my back, to truly see me, and to show me that women of color can and should take up space in this industry. When the doubts come in, or when my anxiety takes a hold of me, I know that these wonderful humans will be there to pick me up when I fall, and it is the honor of my life to know them all.

Website: https://dayandraleao.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayandraleao/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayandraleao/