Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosie Roy.
Hi Rosie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for having me and allowing me to share my story. I hail from Quebec City, Canada. I take pride in being French Canadian, a somewhat random twist considering I strangely sound more American than francophone. I am essentially the result of my Anglophone mother from New Brunswick and my Francophone father from a small town in Quebec called Sainte-Claire. This in itself played pivotal roles in shaping who I am.
While my career initially took off as a professional dancer, I’ve circled back to my initial passion for acting, a hunger that predates my dance career but was never fully satisfied.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an entertainer. As the youngest of four siblings, having two older sisters and a brother, I may have developed a need for creative expression and a desire to shine uniquely. Apparently, I’m considered the wild card of the family.
While I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I decided to become an actor or entertainer, I vividly remember watching Dirty Dancing as a child. It would seem, I told my mom, “Someday I will marry Patrick Swayze.” And can we all agree that Dirty Dancing is the ultimate dance movie? It left a lasting impression, igniting a passion for dance within me.
As time passed, I found inspiration in music videos of MC Hammer, Paula Abdul, and the classic film, The Sound of Music. The scene where Liesl and Rolf dance and sing under the gazebo fueled my desire to perform. I hoped and dreamed that such romantic stories might one day become my reality.
High school marked the beginning of my journey into hip-hop dancing, inspired by artists like P Diddy, Aaliyah, and Notorious BIG. I faced a crucial choice between basketball and dance, and dance won. Idolizing Britney Spears, I began my journey toward my desire of becoming a triple threat: singer, actor, and dancer.
The relationship that altered my path ended in a broken engagement, becoming a turning point in my life. It marked my rebirth, leading to a stronger relationship with myself.
Fast forward to the pandemic, which I viewed as a blessing, an opportunity to pause and reflect. At 37, I revisited a list I had made a year prior, with “Take an acting class” as a note. It was a wake-up call: I needed to act on my desires.
A plan to buy a one-way ticket to Paris was put on hold when my aunt in Long Beach invited me to visit for two months. This detour led me to LA, where I took my first six-week intensive acting class and discovered my love for acting.
Although my dance career preceded my acting, a clear memory from grade one revealed my childhood dream: “I want to be an actress.” Raised in Quebec City, I felt limited in opportunities for training in the entertainment industry. The allure of America, NYC, and LA had always beckoned, fueled by the lack of arts education in my high school.
Now, at 39, having spent two years in LA, I completed my acting certificate at UCLA Extension, have taken classes at Lesly Kahn and Co., The Groundlings, BGB Studio, and Baron Brown Studio, I’ve also rediscovered my love for dancing, which nourishes my soul.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While my life has generally been smooth, it has not been without its share of challenges and valuable lessons. I faced numerous rejections in dance auditions, but the moments of success made the journey all the more special and meaningful.
My main struggle was not fully pursuing my dreams earlier and leaving Quebec City to study elsewhere because I recognized my talent but felt I wasn’t in the right environment to fully unleash it.
Another obstacle I faced was my nine-year relationship, while lovely, led to losing myself as an artist, but it added layers to my life experience and artistic expression.
Perhaps the most formidable obstacle was constant self-comparison. This habit of measuring myself against unrealistic standards made me feel inadequate in various aspects – not pretty enough, not talented enough, not thin enough, not Hollywood-esque enough, and the list goes on. Eventually, I realized that this was merely my ego and fear speaking. Overcoming this internal dialogue and embracing kindness became vital.
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?
Throughout my entire life, I pursued a career in dance. However, when I concluded my dance journey, I felt a void. Acting entered my life two years ago and seamlessly filled that void. It organically took the place of my dance, becoming my newfound creative outlet, and I absolutely LOVE IT.!
What sets me apart from others?
What truly sets me apart is my commitment to authenticity, humility, genuineness, and kindness. I refuse to become a stuck-up individual. I’ve never allowed the industry to influence me in that way. We’re all here to share and express art, and when you spend countless hours working with everyone both on and off set, they’re just as tired, if not more so, than you are. So, regardless of the circumstances, always be kind. In this industry collaboration is key.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Childhood memories? One vivid recollection from my early years is my addiction to TV. Whenever my mom would send me to bed, I couldn’t resist the allure of the screen. Sneakily, I would tiptoe out of my bedroom and perch at the top of the stairs, determined to continue watching. Without fail, my mom would catch on, gently reprimanding me with a, “Rosie, go back to bed.”
As a teenager, even when my friends were out partying on Friday nights, I’d opt to stay home, engrossed in TGIF shows like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World, and Family Matters. Saturday mornings were reserved for Saved by the Bell, and my brother would coerce me into watching X-Men, educating me on the characters of Wolverine, Storm, Beast, and my personal favorite, Rogue – “Hey Sugar!” My life revolved around TV, movies, and Mad TV, with a sprinkle of SNL. I particularly loved Mad TV and would try my hand at imitating any character I could.
Above all, I found myself constantly captivated by Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
I’d like to conclude on this note. Life is about finding inspiration and pursuing dreams, and I’m proud to be on this unique path. Age is no barrier; I’m proud to have started my acting journey later in life. I’ve come to believe that as we age, we naturally return to our roots. We find ourselves drawn back to the essence of who we were as children. This transformation occurs only if we grant ourselves the opportunity to listen to that inner voice and not dismiss it. My story is still unfolding, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
See you on set lovelies!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @rosie_roy
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14432378/
Image Credits
Headshots by Chris Jon photography IG account @chrisjonphotography
