Rising Star Selena O’Sullivan: Why we should start a movement to “live in someone else’s shoes for a day”
…Hmm. That’s a very hard one, especially with all the different problems currently that the world is facing. Maybe I’d try to start something like “live in someone else’s shoes for a day”. I don’t know how it would exactly work, but perspective is everything when we view our life and lives of others. We would definitely be more compassionate if we could experience each other’s lives.
As a part of our interview series with the rising stars in pop culture, I had the pleasure of interviewing Selena O’Sullivan. Selena is an Australian actress, stunt performer and now, pro wrestler! She can currently be seen in MMA action film Rag Doll and a series regular on cable network show WOW — Women of Wrestling. She is currently based in LA, trained in acting and performance stunts, including weapons like nunchucks and swords.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Thanks for having me! I guess you could say my interest started at a young age watching movies like many kids, and thinking, why couldn’t I be in them? My favourites were films like Charlie’s Angels, Tomb Raider and anything Jackie Chan. Always a sporty tomboy type, I grew up competing in sports, and always strived to be the best. These activities developed my competitive nature.
I was also very much a performer, loving dancing and acting classes. I would even ‘host’ our family holiday videos, narrating and interviewing my family members, who were not always thrilled about that! All these different hobbies combined made me decide that even though I knew it would be tough, I wanted to pursue becoming an action film actress.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
Hard to think of one, but I think one of my first stunt doubling jobs, I doubled a 60year old woman slipping and breaking her hip. What was funny is with my wig and from behind when I hunched my shoulders slightly, I looked just like the actress! It was slightly disheartening knowing that in my early 20s I could pass as an old woman, but that’s a testament to the power of costume, makeup and performance!
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Definitely, number one rule doing a fight scene. Distance!
I was stunt doubling for a fairly simple fight scene. My partner and I had rehearsed the choreography no problem. However when we put the costumes on, he was in a full bodysuit which masked his face and so could barely see anymore through this thin layer over his face. Long story short, our distance changed and I got clocked in the temple with his fist! I had a huge welt, but continued the shoot of course (lucky I was the stunt double too, so they weren’t filming my face!).
So yes, keep your distance and rehearse IN COSTUME where possible!
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Moving into the pro wrestling scene was very interesting for me. I had to unlearn a lot of stunt techniques and relearn the wrestling way. It is not easy and takes a lot out of you. Being on WOW-Women of Wrestling has been a wonderful experience. My character is a villain and playing the bad guy has been very fun!
I love that we are a female league that shows off all the amazing and athletic talents of some badass ladies!
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
An interesting moment was working with Dot-Marie Jones (Glee, The Boondocks) in the film Rag Doll. She played a stern protective coach and I was an opposing MMA fighter, trying to bully her fighter. I was yelling to the point of wanting to fight and she dragged me away and kicked me out of the locker room. It was so fun working with an actor of her experience, and of course, getting to be angry at her!
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
In this industry I think it is most important to have other interests. Living a performer life, we are constantly auditioning, looking for work and trying to validate that we are good enough.
Having this “hunting lion” mentality all day every day is not healthy and it can lead to disconnection from reality. You must have other hobbies, even other jobs if it helps, to keep you grounded and focused. For example even when I’m acting full time, I like to trade cryptocurrency on the side. Just because you say you’re “an actor” doesn’t mean you are bound by law to only do that. I guess I’m saying, don’t limit yourself! Plus, other life experiences actually make you a more truthful actor and performer anyway!
Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.
We all know this but exercise. Daily. And stretch. We always neglect to stretch.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Forge your own path. There really is no one way to get in this business
- Spend on the things you need. Like if you need new headshots, get them. New costumes, get them. Don’t wait for the right time. Money comes and goes but the opportunities can be rare.
- Don’t get complacent. It’s such an easy trap to fall into (I’ve been there many times and still am sometimes). You gotta keep moving.
- Remember what you want and stay focused. Distraction is literally everywhere in the form of relationships, life events and cat videos on Youtube. Find the balance.
- Success is defined by you. I always say I could die happy right now. I feel successful by my own standards and that’s enough for me (I’d prefer to keep living though, there’s still more butts to kick on camera!)
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Ask for forgiveness, not permission!
I know it doesn’t sound quite like a good thing, but for someone like me it was. I always grew up as a model student, following the rules and people pleasing to no end.
Life doesn’t always reward that behavior. Sometimes you just gotta do things anyway. Telling/asking someone about it before you do it can be the biggest hindrance. Trust your gut, stay true to yourself, but don’t be afraid to break the rules!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I have plenty of friends and mentors who have really helped me on my journey to get here. My family have always supported me in a loving, yet critically honest way and I’m always grateful for them for being this way. My boyfriend has also supported my personal growth and I wouldn’t be who I am today without him. My friends in Australia, the US and internationally have all impacted me positively and I can never thank them enough for being in my life.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Hmm. That’s a very hard one, especially with all the different problems currently that the world is facing. Maybe I’d try to start something like “live in someone else’s shoes for a day”. I don’t know how it would exactly work, but perspective is everything when we view our life and lives of others. We would definitely be more compassionate if we could experience each other’s lives.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. :-)
I think Elon Musk is one of the most fascinating people, on many different levels. To get to talk to him for even 5 mins would be so cool.
How can our readers follow you online?
On Instagram, my wrestling page is @genesis_wo, and to follow our show it is @wowsuperheroes and wowe.com. Look for the badass team called Exile!
My personal Instagram is @selena_osullivan. I post everything I do there!
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!
My pleasure, thank you for featuring me!
