Meet Mataya Britton | Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mataya Britton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mataya, how do you think about risk?
I’d like to believe that I’ve always been a risk taker. It’s hard to embrace fear but I find that if you do it with open arms, things will eventually work out. A career in acting is always going to come with an element of risk, but it’s what I have always wanted to do deep down – it’s a part of me that’s as natural as breathing. Without risk there is no reward, and having the opportunity to freely express myself and my creative side is the best reward on earth. After I graduated high school I took the biggest risk of my life – moving from a small city in Canada to the Big Apple, alone, and then to Los Angeles after that. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but I couldn’t be where I am now without taking those big first steps. If I wasn’t willing to embrace the risk, I wouldn’t have met the amazing people I have, seen all the beautiful places I’ve seen or be living my dream. And this is just the beginning! I’m a big believer that what is meant for you won’t pass you by, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to work for it. Not every risk you take will pay off, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. If it doesn’t work out the first time, you pick yourself back up, learn from it, and try again. As an actor, one of the best skills you can have is the drive to keep going even when you fail – and we all fail sometimes, me included! It might sound like a negative thing, but I’m thankful everyday for the times I have failed because they only made me stronger. My grandpa always says, “Let it roll off like duck soup!” which means, to let things roll off your back like water rolls off of a duck’s feathers. It’s a bit of a strange saying, but it helps me keep going and focus on the lessons I learned. For me, the scariest risks don’t come from life itself, but the ones we make creatively. Being able to take risks in your personal life is one thing, but applying it to your career is a whole other skill. As an actor, every time you act you have to make bold choices for your role and your character. A lot of the time those choices are risky: you might be showing a really vulnerable side of yourself or stepping far outside of your comfort zone. Learning to embrace that without worrying what others think, is very hard. It takes practice, just like everything. Taking that first big leap of faith is just the start. If we didn’t take risks in life, it would be pretty boring!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The idea of becoming an actress was just that for most of my life; an idea. I never thought I would actually be able to do it, let alone get out of my small city in the middle of Canada. In fact, I was planning on going into archeology at my local university. One day I woke up and just knew that was the wrong choice for me, so I withdrew and took a gap year. I knew I needed enough money to make that first big leap, so I worked extra hard and sure enough, within a year I was in New York City studying my craft. It’s hard to think back on the person I was before I started this journey. I’ve learned so many lessons along the way; how to make my art organic and filled with empathy and most importantly, to never quit. Now i’ve graduated with my degree in film, TV, and theatre and I’m so excited for this next phase in my life. I’ve already been blessed with work in short films and want to keep growing from there! If I could go back and tell myself one thing before my journey began it would be to never doubt your abilities. Yes, there will be hard times but Know that if you want them badly enough, you’ll make it work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve only lived in LA for a year now, so I’m still searching for fun new spots to check out myself! I quickly found out in my short time in the city, that my happy place is by the ocean. My favourite beach is Venice, as touristy as it is. If I had a friend visiting, we could start our morning off with a hike by the Ocean then spend the rest of the day swimming, laying in the sun and surfing (or at least attempting to!). Then I think we’d go for a walk along the boardwalk where lots of street performers do their sets, to look at all of the cute shops there, and try out a new ice cream spot. One of my favourite lunch spots near Venice is a delicious, budget friendly burger joint called ‘The Shack’! Their lemonade is really refreshing. There are lots of options in the area, so if they wanted to try a new beach that is a little less touristy, I’m always down for an adventure! We can end the night with dinner at ‘Great White’, where they have the best pasta and pizza. For me it’s not about what I’m doing but spending time with the people I love!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I think the key to success is to surround yourself with people who love and support you unconditionally. I’m so blessed to have the most supportive family, and wouldn’t be where I am today personally and in my career without my mom and dad. When I first expressed that this was the path I wanted to take my life down, my parents jumped for joy. I think they always knew that I’d do something creative based off the costumes I’d wear, movies I’s write, and films I’d reenact for months on end. I’d say their my biggest fans and I’m theirs. My inner circle inspires me everyday from my sister, to my friends, to the teachers and mentors I’ve met along the way. I know each and every one of them have my back, and will be there to celebrate when I succeed and pick me up when I’m down.

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

Other: https://www.backstage.com/u/mataya-britton/