Jayda Aslan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jayda, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Yes, once in 2004. My friends and I were on vacation in Thailand and didn’t act fast in getting to the islands as we had planned to visit first. That was the year a massive tsunami wiped out those islands and sadly, many of its inhabitants . Not acting fast may have literally saved our lives. But as far as my general life experience goes, I’d say erring on acting fast reaps more rewards than misfortune. You can’t know if an opportunity will present itself to you again or if you will even be in a position to accept it if it does. An unfortunate example of not being in a position of acceptance, is my brain tumor diagnosis in December of 2024. There were meaningful projects and goals, I had been vaguely intending to getting around to doing. Needless to say, I did not act fast in bringing them to fruition for no great reason. And with life’s recent curveball, these goals will be remain in their larval stage for yet another year while I go through cancer treatment. Having cancer has also taught me the importance of acting fast. If I feel well enough to go for walk in a given moment, I go for the walk in that given moment. I don’t procrastinate or wait for it to become more convenient.. So many times I’ve missed my window of feeling well enough to go and don’t get to go at all. You may be thinking, big deal, you miss a walk. Missing a walk for me now is like missing a breathe I need to take before drowning.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello Bold Journey Reader, my name is Jayda Aslan. I am a Turkish-American actress in Los Angeles. I have been acting for 17 years, according to my math. I’ve had most of my success in T.V. and commercials. While I’m having to take a hiatus from acting in 2025 as I go through cancer treatment, I’ve had a handful of projects finally begin airing; a four episode arc in the show ‘Second Chances’ on Tubi, the short Horror film, ‘Red Ribbons in the House of Stained Glass,’ I star in, has just won best horror short at the acclaimed ‘Film Quest’ festival.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I thought I was ugly. There’s still things I wish I could change; I wish I had less body hair, and more symmetry in my face, but I recognize my beauty now, as I’ve aged. I see photos from the past and can’t believe how cute I was and yet, at the time, I only saw what I didn’t like. The industry has made a marvelous shift in finding beauty in the imperfections of us performers. That has undoubtedly nourished my confidence.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me that I am strong beyond my expectations. It has made me more confident and increased my self worth. Success isn’t always a personal achievement. You can get lucky or get notoriety from the people “you run with.” But no one can get through suffering for you. It’s a solo journey. You get all the credit.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I’m not smart enough to where smart people are getting it wrong, but this question did invoke a response in me; where some smart people, who also happen to be rich and in positions of power, are getting it wrong is in wanting to make more and more money, by reducing services their businesses offer for the same or higher prices. While not raising wages to reflect their increase in revenue. When everyone is happy our communities will thrive.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Hesitating. Thinking of life in terms of outcomes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jessicajaydaberkmen
- Other: https://imdb.me/jaydaaslan
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