Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chantelle Barry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chantelle, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’m currently working on producing a short film based on a feature film that I wrote this year. The project is very close to my heart- it features original songs that I wrote and it addresses the subject of grief, which is something we all experience at one time or another.

Chantelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been performing on stage since I was about five years old. My father was a musician, and I was blessed to have very supportive parents who nurtured all of my creative aspirations. I also started writing songs around the same time. When I was 12 I had my first taste of acting in the theater and was instantly addicted. That led me to audition for the theater program at a specialized highschool where I spent the next 5 years learning all things (and completely immersing myself in) theater. To say I loved it is an understatement. Being a brown-skinned girl growing up in Perth had its challenges so I was never the ‘popular’ kid, but when I discovered the theater and other like-minded people I felt a true sense of belonging for the first time.
After highschool I attended The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)- the same college that Hugh Jackman attended (highly brag-worthy in my opinion). WAAPA was incredible next-level training and at the time I really believed musical theater was my calling. It felt like the only way I could combine the things I loved doing most- singing and acting.
The following year my mum helped me move to Sydney where we believed I’d have the best opportunities. It was an incredible year- I studied at Dean Carey’s The Actors Center, got my first taste of being in a Hollywood movie (featured extra in Mission Impossible 2…I’ll never forget meeting Tom Cruise), and I auditioned for the first reality tv show ever (in Aus) ‘Popstars Australia’, in which I made it to the final 5 and own myself a place in a manufactured gurl group. I was in the group for all of 2 months, so it was short-lives, but I will say that being on that show changed my life. After a brief solo tour around the country I relocated to LA to focus on my acting career. I took acting classes and auditioned during the day and wrote music & played live shows in the evenings. Although at the time I felt wildly unsuccessful, hindsight’s a blessing… I booked speaking roles on tv/film including Entourage, How I Met Your Mother, Couples Retreat and 90210.
About 10 years ago I got into voice acting and have been working solidly ever since. I now do a bunch of big title video games, animated shows and lots of radio. It’s been a pretty wild ride.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My biggest motivator in life is ‘connection’. Feeling like I’m reaching people in some way, making someone feel seen or understood, those things are most rewarding for me. Receiving a message from somebody telling me a song of mine spoke to them in a meaningful way, makes me feel like what I’m doing has purpose.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I exited the Popstars Australia girl group in a cloud of controversy and I remember sitting in the board room where I had to sign my release paperwork and the head of the company looked at me and said “young lady, you’re a bad person.” At the time I was too young (and probably too cocky) to realize how his words would impact me moving forward, but I carried that notion of being a ‘bad person’ with me for the next 2 decades. A few crappy relationships, many songs and 5 years of psychotherapy have given me the gift of knowledge- of truly knowing myself and recognizing my self-worth. Years ago, I probably would’ve said that I regretted many of the mistakes I’ve made in my life, but now I’m clear that all of the hardships I experienced were necessary in order for me to become the person I am today. A person that I love, accept and am truly proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chantellebarry.com
• Instagram: @chantellegence

Image Credits
All images taken by Gabe Sachs