Today we’d like to introduce you to Mataya Britton
Hi Mataya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a small city in Canada where not much happens. Even with nothing to do I was always filming movies with my friends, reenacting my favourite film scenes or performing in any way I could find. I think I always knew that performing is part of who I am, but it wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I put it into action. I took a gap year and saved up for college while applying to drama schools all over the globe. I got into some of my dream schools and ultimately landed in New York. I did my first year of college there and then realized as much as I love theatre and always will, film and tv was where I wanted to be. So I moved to LA and continued my studies until May of 2024, when I graduated. Since then I’ve been busy and loving every second of it!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth is not the first word that comes to mind when I think of my journey. The path I’ve chosen has its ups and downs, especially when it comes to being an international student transitioning to a work visa. There are so many hoops to jump through already and immigration adds different challenges I never thought I’d face. Although it hasn’t been “smooth,” I believe that what is meant for me won’t pass me by. Even when I hit a low point, I always remember that I’m where I’m meant to be and it’s not the end of the road. Honestly, I think that a completely smooth road would be boring. With the challenges of the industry and everything in between, I fall, I grow, and I learn. Experiencing adversity helps me personally and professionally. It just makes me that much stronger! I look forward to the next stretch, whether it goes smoothly or has some rough patches. I’m excited for what the new year has to bring!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to think of myself as an artist. My main focus in life is acting. I love the contrast of comedy and drama and have a soft spot for both. I grew up doing theatre and musical theatre, however, I have recently transitioned into film and tv. I adore the atmosphere of a working set and creating art with a group of artists in their respective fields. Besides acting, I have always loved music. My favourite pastime is songwriting. I use songwriting as a form of meditation or therapy. It’s something that, for now, I do for myself, and maybe one day I’ll share it with the world. Creativity is something that is in my blood and I’m so grateful everyday for my ability to express it!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
LA is such a vast city. You can go anywhere and it’ll look different to varying degrees. I think my favourite part is the beach. I adore the ocean and spend a lot of my free time there. It’s calming yet exciting. I love the hiking and food LA has to offer, as well as the warmer weather. While I enjoy warm summers, I love the rain, too. I might be alone in this opinion but I wish it rained more here. LA is definitely not a walking friendly city and although I love going on drives with friends, I’m not too keen on driving, or LA traffic. Overall this city is full of culture, art and life. And if there’s one thing to say about LA, it’s that everyday is an adventure!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Paul Smith Photography
