Today we’d like to introduce you to Ailise Beales.

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?

I grew up in England and knew I wanted to be an actor before I even started school- I just loved stories. I used to drag a dining chair into the living room and use it as a pedestal to perform for my (very patient) parents. My Dad had been an actor in his early twenties, so I was never told it was an unattainable dream, only that I’d have to be willing to work hard for it, develop a thick skin, and believe in myself enough to drown out anyone who didn’t. And hey, that’s only three things.

When we moved to New Zealand, I studied Film and Theatre at university, acted in every student film under the sun, and was eventually cast in my first feature- ‘Two Idiots and a Tin Whistle’, directed by Eli Hill and Jason Ellis. Being on set with the cast and crew of Tin Whistle only solidified my decision to do this for the rest of my life.

And that’s when I got a full-ride scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I moved to New York City for three years, got a degree in Acting for Film and Television studying under the most talented and inspiring people I know, and performed all over the Big Apple. My best friend, Zara DuCrôs, and I wrote, directed, and starred in a web series called ‘Happy Even After’, and won some incredible awards at the New York International Film Festival. These have been the best years of my life so far.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It hasn’t always been easy. When my cousin, Bethany-Maria, passed away, my whole universe shifted. We were in our early twenties and had always promised to do this together. The deal was that she would be my date to the Oscars, and I would be her date to the Tony’s. I still think of her every single day and often find myself wishing I could ask her for advice. Everything was easier with her here, she was a force of nature who made anything seem possible. Deciding to honor her by never giving up on our dream is a huge part of what keeps me going.

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 actor mostly known for playing Belle in the Kiwi feature film ‘Two Idiots and a Tin Whistle’. I was also recently in the short film ‘Manspread’ directed by Tiana Michele, which went viral on TikTok before it was even released, and has been racking up a lot of attention since!

I think I’m most proud of ‘Happy Even After’, the web series that Zara DuCrôs and I wrote about living with grief. The three-episode web series is on YouTube and has a special place in my heart.

An acting coach once told me that what sets me apart is that I am ‘elegant yet scrappy’. It might be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?

Hermione Granger. I was born thinking I was an adult already, and expected everyone to treat me like it! I loved reading and writing, although never had the patience to keep a diary. Instead, my Dad bought me a tape recorder and I used to walk around talking into it like a journalist (even then, tapes were outdated, so I really couldn’t have been any more precocious if I tried). I just had entire universes in my head and my hands couldn’t write fast enough to keep up.

I was bossy, and dramatic, and felt everything very deeply. At the time, I thought those were flaws. Now I know that these are the qualities that help me bring the stories in my head to life (although I’m sure my little brother would tell you I could stand to be a tad less bossy).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ailisebeales.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ailise.beales/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ailisebeales