Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Uhebe.
Christine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my acting career in Italy, back when I was living in Florence (I was born and raised in Brazil). What started first with curiosity quickly transformed into passion and led me to start pursuing acting more seriously. So I followed the acting program for three consecutive years at Scuola di Cinema Immagina and, once finished, I applied for a Summer Program at The Lee Strasberg Film & Theatre Institute in Los Angeles and came to LA for a month.
That was really a decisive moment in my life. My mother came to visit me here for a week during that month and, being the greatest supporter that she was, told me that if I was really serious about acting, I should move to LA and follow the full-time Conservatory Program at The Lee Strasberg Institute. With her support, I then made the decision to move to LA and started my studies here. I spent practically 24 hours a day at the Institute; going from class to class, working scenes, studying the method, and reading everything I could get my hands on. The Strasberg Institute became my second home during the time I was there. From then on, everything started to happen gradually, step by step, project after project, with a lot of determination, hard work, willingness to learn, and patience. I believe that’s the only way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road per se, everything in life comes with hard work, despite of what it can look like sometimes. Nothing worth keeping comes that easily. If we want to achieve anything in life you gotta put yourself in the game and that certainly requires some renouncements, a lot of sacrifices. I’ve once heard that it’s not how much you want something, it’s about how much you’re willing to renounce in order to make that happen.
As in any actress’ life, there are many struggles, such as dealing with rejection, self-doubt, and the pressure of booking a job. You learn and understand that it’s nothing personal, it’s just the business. You gotta keep walking and working. Ultimately, the difficulties you face just make you stronger and more aware of who you really are.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actress, a classical conservatory-trained actress, by The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. I’m the kind of actress that loves to read anything about acting when I’m not on set or have free time. I’m most proud of having had the chance to work in a production directed by Francis Ford Coppola, “Distant Vision”, an experimental live-cinema concept directed by him some years ago in LA. I will forever cherish that opportunity. Most recently, I’m happy to have booked another innovative project, this time for Facebook Watch, called Rival Peak. During such a difficult year when the entire business was forced to shut down because of Covid-19, being able to book a project like this at the very end of the year was certainly a highlight and I’m so grateful for it. Rival Peak is a super cool project, an interactive reality show where the audience interacts with 12 AI contestants, who all have a mind of their own. You can catch me as la Portia on the show!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Determination. If I look back, it has taken a lot of determination to get where I am today, from when I left Brazil, to when I started acting In Italy to when I came to LA to study at Strasberg to getting to work in this country and everything else that has happened during all these years. I think it took determination to wake up every morning and ask myself “what can I do today to help me achieve what I want”.
Believing in yourself is also another factor in this equation. I can be my worst critic most of the time, but for me it’s also important to know that being myself and giving my best can be enough. And of course, dedication. That goes without saying. Anything you want to achieve in life you need to dedicate to. I think that people that are close to me would say that’s my best quality. I can really focus on something for hours at end and give myself to it.
Contact Info:
- Email: christineuhebe@me.com
- Instagram: @christineuhebe
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/christine.uhebe
- Other: Imdb.me/christineuhebe
Image Credits
Stephanie Girard (first picture) Dana Patrick (two last ones)
