We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daisy Mai. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daisy below.

Daisy, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Thank you for having me here! I’ve always been a creative person, and have had a passion for performing and expressing creativity for as long as I can remember, so it’s very hard to pin point the exact moment I knew.

With regards to acting, I studied drama in primary school as part of the curriculum, and I liked it so much that I took extra classes and achieved multiple grades of LAMDA examinations. I was cast as the leading lady in a school play at 9-years-old, and adored the whole process; from the first audition where you first meet the character in the audition sides, to the subsequent rehearsals, and then the final performance, where all of your hard work comes to fruition.

My love for performing grew in leaps and bounds over the next few years. I was recognised as ‘Gifted and Talented’ in theatre at secondary school and was awarded a scholarship for Theatre Studies. I continued extra LAMDA examinations and lessons during lunch break and after school, and also enrolled myself for Saturday theatre school. I spent most of my childhood and teenage years analysing the acting in movies. I always felt a surge of inspiration after going to the cinema, I still get that feeling now, but I would draw movie posters in my diary with my name as the lead in the movies I had just watched! I also landed roles in local productions with an Amateur Dramatics society, which led to my first taste of recognition when I was featured in a local newspaper. Like most creatives, I always knew that I only felt properly fulfilled and my fire was only fully sparked when I was expressing creativity.

However, I was also very academic and was advised by multiple people to continue acting as a hobby whilst pursuing a secure career. I was under no illusion of the struggles in the acting industry, and thus began a career in law at 18. I loved my job, but I always knew I wanted to make a difference and I just didn’t feel like I was fulfilling my potential. Something felt amiss from my life. Unfortunately, my health took a turn and I ended up in hospital before one of my shifts and it was then that I realised; life is so short and delicate, why don’t I just pursue what I’ve always wanted to do? I can make a difference, without jeopardising my health. So, I left my job and began carving a creative career for myself.

Looking back, my calling was right in front of me the whole time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Of course! So, my name is Daisy Mai and I am an actress and content creator from Sussex. My background is quite complex, so I’ll try to condense it slightly so you don’t get too bored!

Before I was born, my mum attended a routine prenatal scan, which unfortunately showed signs of an unknown heart defect. Consequently, she was urged to seek care at a hospital that specialised in heart conditions, which was over 1-hour away, to further investigate my dodgy ticker. After much examination, the consultants diagnosed me with an extremely rare congenital heart condition called an ‘aorto ventricular tunnel’. Of course, I’ve always had a flair for the dramatics, so the condition that I somehow decided to possess only has incidences as low as 0.001% of all heart conditions worldwide! It is because of this rarity that the specialists struggled to diagnose the condition or even predict the most likely outcomes of my survival/future. My mum was faced with a horrendous decision on whether to terminate the pregnancy, or continue on an unknown path, fraught with potential dangers for both me and herself. Thankfully, she chose to let me take centre stage, and I had my first open heart surgery at 1 day old.

I clearly loved being on the screen from birth because even after this first operation, I frequented the hospital regularly for constant assessments, and became very accustomed to seeing myself on the monitors! Eventually, my heart began to show signs of deterioration, and I had my second open heart surgery at 14-years-old. The surgery was very intense and I had an artificial aorta and biological valve transplanted. Due to being so young when I had the valve fitted, the calcium in my blood hardens the tissue over time, so I will need a future third open heart surgery.

Now the heavy stuff is out of the way, I’ll explain my mission. My goal is to inspire and motivate as many individuals as possible through my acting and content creation, whether they be heart patients or not. When I was young, I was advised by some mistaken individuals that my path in the film industry would be hindered by the scar on my chest. This notion of perfection being a prerequisite for the screen could not be further from the truth. Thankfully, my mum’s unwavering support has always instilled me with a sense of pride in my condition, and I’ve never looked at my surgery scars as ‘ugly’ or something to hide. However, after my second surgery went slightly wrong, my chest had been opened three times and the scar I was left with was initially hard to get used to. While the hospital offered to improve the scar’s aesthetic appearance shortly after, I declined. I thoroughly maintain that my scar is not something to be ashamed of, and is a symbol of strength and a testament to my journey.

A pivotal moment for me came when I watched the film, “Seven Pounds” (dir. by Gabriele Muccino). Seeing Rosario Dawson with an open heart surgery scar, although it was SFX, fuelled my determination to not just want, but need to be on screen to inspire other patients around the world. I strive to be the role model with a scar and medical history that I did not see on screen as a child. Even if I only inspire one person, that will be good enough for me.

My journey as a content creator is a recent one, but something I have wanted to do for quite some time. Across my platforms, I centre my content on themes of positivity, self-development and overall wellbeing. I started my YouTube channel (channel handle: daysofdaisy) with the aim of fostering a fun and safe space for my audience, encouraging them to be their unapologetic selves. On YouTube, I post relatable short videos, with a focus on spreading joy and laughter (even if it’s at me, rather than with me!). Over on Instagram, I create short, cinematic reels (handle: days_of_daisy_) with the hope of inspiring others to chase their dreams and cultivate self-love.

I love creating my own mini cinematic films for Instagram and TikTok (handle: daisyactsdaily) because it keeps my creativity flowing and has allowed me to really push myself behind the camera, as well as being in front of it. I also love creating tiny stories with each film, and wearing all of the creative hats in hopes of inspiring people to appreciate the beauty that exists in our mundane realities, and to prove that literally anyone can pick up a camera and make amazing solo digital memories.

I started posting acting content on TikTok by lip-syncing dialogues from movies. I find this to be a valuable exercise in refining my screen performances by utilising micro-expressions and making the lip-sync as believable as possible.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love the process of seeing hard work blossom into fruition. With regards to acting, I find the overall journey so incredibly rewarding. Those familiar with the industry will know the heartache and challenges it entails, and it’s only expected because we invest our souls and emotions into countless auditions and self-tapes, only to encounter rejection, or to be ghosted completely. But, for every no we get, (and we get a lot!), we edge closer to that yes. And when it finally arrives, the true magic begins. From getting the audition sides to the table read, from the shoot dates to the final screening; the whole process is a tapestry of people working together and working hard. On set, so many different people come together as a collective to breathe life into a collective vision, and they’re all there because they love it! So being able to see the culmination of everyone’s hard work is a truly beautiful experience.

Similarly, with content creation, I find so much magic in the way we can all create anything we want from nothing. There’ll be a spark of inspiration – a movie, a song – and seeing that spark convert from a fleeting notion into a tangible creation is nothing short of miraculous. Then, to be able to share that creation with the world, and to be able to connect with other likeminded individuals who resonate with our work and appreciate the beauty, is a profoundly gratifying experience.

Yet, the ultimate reward lies in the personal connections forged through our art and creations. When I receive a message or comment from a viewer expressing how my content has brightened their day, or that I’ve made them appreciate themselves, or made them smile or feel seen? That’s a priceless reward. One particular project I wrote and acted in was ‘Precious Time’ (for a TikTok short film competition) and it focussed on life being too short to waste time comparing and hating your body. I received so many beautiful comments and positive messages, and had other heart patients reaching out to me to say they’d never seen their scar on someone else. Knowing that my story had resonated with others, that it made them feel seen and heard, is an unbelievably incredible feeling.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Well, I think many non-creatives struggle to understand ‘the point’ of subjecting oneself to negativity. Take acting, for instance – it’s bound to make you doubt yourself and question whether you are truly cut out for the industry with the amount of rejection. I’ve often heard many say, ‘only a select few make it, if that.” But what these people fail to consider is that acting, for a lot of us, makes us feel alive. It feeds the fire within us. While rejection undoubtedly stings (it can sting awfully too!), the euphoria of landing a role is unparalleled.

For some of us, simply having a creative outlet and opportunity to express ourselves and our emotions keeps us level headed. We could be stressed in a conventional 9-5, feeling disheartened, or we could be navigating the highs and lows of an acting career – stressed, yes, but exhilarated by passion. It’s taken me a while to realise this, but it’s crucial to be selective about whom you confide your goals and dreams in at the beginning of your career. You may crave their approval and support, but sometimes they just don’t understand – and that’s okay. It’s not their fault. Perhaps their own dreams fell short and they’re bitter about it. Whatever the case, safeguard your dreams, nurture them diligently every day. Don’t take advice form people who aren’t in the position you want to be in because they are speaking from their own journey, which is not the one you want to follow.

Additionally, the negativity and hateful comments online can be soul-crushing. You’ve got to develop resilience, and let the toxicity slide off your back. More often than not, these individuals write things out of their own discontentment and dissatisfaction, and it is nothing to do with you. As long as the content you create is positive and not hurting anyone, then keep on keeping on. Remain authentic, stay true to yourself, and persevere.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/days_of_daisy_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/daysofdaisy
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@daisyactsdaily

Image Credits
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