Meet Gaya Verneuil | Actress

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

Hi Gaya, how do you think about risk?
I cannot separate life from the notion of risk, at least not a life worth living.That deep calling, to which you say: F*ck it (pardon my French), I am doing this! It is totally primal and personal, fueled by faith and woven in uncertainty. For you may have control over the decisions you make, but you cannot predict their outcome.Whether physically or emotionally, the higher the stakes, the more painful the cost, the more gratifying the reward. As far as I’m concerned, from the first breath I inhaled, to the people I choose to love, to the things I want to be passionate about, it is because of all the risks I took and the ones I haven’t yet, both in my personal and professional life, that I am the person I am today and want to become the person I’ll be tomorrow.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

The hypersensitivity I was made fun of for as a kid is the same one I am praised for in my acting. Vulnerability means strength, not weakness, I understand that now. It takes bravery to peel off the layers of your heart for all to see.
Acting is generous, for it demands of you to expose publicly what you feel in private, and I believe this could benefit our personal lives as well. It reminds me of a quote by Alfred de Musset:” Strike your heart, it is where the genius lives”.

I won’t lie, I’ve had a Love-Hate relationship with acting due to the instability of the job. After high school, I moved to NY where I graduated from a two year acting conservatory. I moved back to Paris and signed with one of the top 3 agencies. I quickly booked my first gig as a series regular on the tv show “Candice Renoir”. I played a young rebellious cop, Chrystelle Da Silva. It was an amazing experience with a crew that felt like family and I thought, wow how am I getting paid to have so much fun?! The show became an international success, but five seasons in I got frustrated. I was limited in the range which fit my character, and I wanted to explore different sides of myself…So I amicably parted with the show and even changed agents to see if that would bring me different opportunities. Big slap in the face, not only was I now an unemployed actress, the relationship I had with my new representation was nonexistent, as were the auditions I was getting, in that case, wasn’t. I took a closer look at my life. What I had really wanted all along was a shot at the American dream…So I took my cat, my sneakers and my books and California here I am! Surfboard in one hand, O-1 visa in the other. A lot of exciting things have happened since. I’ve found my acting haven at The Marjorie Ballentine studio, where I work on my craft weekly amongst uber talented creatives. I just signed with my first US agent last week and I’ve been called in to audition for the remake of my dad’s movie “The Cow”, to be directed by Marc Forster, starring Ewan McGregor as the lead. I cannot think of a better way to honor my dad’s memory.

The most rewarding element yet is I’ve created an inspiring lifestyle for myself, outside of acting. Where I am full and happy even when I’m not getting auditions or bookings. Where I can refuel myself and indulge in the abundance all around me. To me, that is the coastal beach life, the surf sessions with the dolphins as pelicans brush my head. It’s the sunsets I watch with my handsome Texan boyfriend as we dip our fingers into cheesy carne asada tortillas. I’ve been feeling so inspired that I even want to expand storytelling further than acting, and write tales. Through them I hope to encourage people to follow their hearts even when the journey is scary. Your heart will surprise you if you let it. Other people’s will too. Hearts break. Hearts forgive. Hearts heal. Hearts learn to love again. We may not be in control of the outcome but we do get to choose who we want to be .

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is what a rad day with my bestie visiting California would look like:

First, I’d load my car with two surfboards and take him for a dip in the Ocean in Encinitas. Of course we’d have to make a quick stop at the Seaborne cafe in Oceanside beforehand for a delicious matcha latte. Once we’re out of the water, we’re heading to Cafe Topes in Carlsbad, best breakfast food ever.Ready for more beach time? We are sunbathing our naked bums at Black’s beach, as we take in this breathtaking over the cliff view. Salt in our hair, sand between our toes, light winds on our skins as the sun sets, it is time to make our way back.We stop in Carlsbad yet again, direction Campfire restaurant for yummy gourmet dishes and crazy good mixology cocktails. For an unforgettable finish, I would hunt down the Swingin Johnsons for a badass live music event. They are so freaking goooood!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Spoiler alert: this is a double shout-out. Shout-out to my father, mon Papounet, Henri Verneuil.He was an iconic, Golden Globe winner, Oscar nominee filmmaker. He too took a peek at Hollywood, directing actors such as Anthony Quinn, Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda. I even heard that Mr Quentin Tarantino mentioned being an admirer of his work in an interview.
Above all my father was an iconic dad. I will never stop worshipping him for the inspiration, creativity and unconditional love he showed me. I hope my journey echoes to him and honors his memory.
I was twelve when he passed away, and my heart shattered into a billion pieces (I counted). I was filled with deep, dark emotions I didn’t know how to deal with .Leading us to my shout-out number two : Buffy the Vampire Slayer! After countless years of religiously watching the show,I identified with her character so much so that not only was I sleeping with a wooden stake under my pillow I also aspired to become as brave as she. I too was going to face my demons and kick their asses! I was going to be an actress!

Website: gayaverneuil.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaya-verneuil-129a08128/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070664621993

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYuJJthTe87_-wfiW8CA-w