Ask actress Turia Schmidt-Peke if she feels lucky to have scored a role in iconic Kiwi soap Shortland Street and the Auckland beauty laughs.
“Luck does play a part and I'm really proud of what I've achieved, but success for me is about the collective," says the star, who's of Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Pamaterā and Samoan descent. "I was raised in the Māori and Pasifika worlds, where people succeed because of the whole community, so my success belongs to my friends and whānau."
That isn't to say the talented 28-year-old - who plays Steph, a member of the Iron Dogs gang, in Shorty - hasn't put in the hard yards. But as Turia admits, “I'm not a trained actor. I'm just the kind of person who takes every opportunity that comes my way.”
Though she finds auditions tricky, she adds, “I simply try to prepare as much as I can and then hope for the best.”
Turia might be modest, but there's no denying she's had a swift ascent from production assistant to appearing in the long-running TVNZ 2 drama that she grew up watching.
“I was really nervous when my agent asked me to audition for Shortland Street's summer series Retribution, especially when I heard Tammy Davis was going to be there because I loved Outrageous Fortune," she confesses. “But work is work and my philosophy is to always say yes."
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin April 11, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman’s Day Magazine NZ dergisinin April 11, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
JON'S JOURNEY - BEING MAORI & DEAF MADE ME A TARGET
The Auckland sign language tutor has overcome enormous challenges
'WE WENT ON THE RUN FROM RUSSIA!'
Now safe in New Zealand, Nick and his family hid in the outback for three years
DEFYING THE ODDS MADDIS ON'S MILESTONE BIRTHDAY
One of the tiniest babies born in New Zealand is about to turn 10!
Farmer And rew & Jess' big day WE'RE STILL ON CLOUD 9!
The reality stars say 'I do' in a perfect country ceremony
Gordon Ramsays 'THIS IS THE REAL ME'
The fiery celebrity chef has cooked up a sizzling new reality show
KIWI STAR LOREN - 'I OWE MY LIFE TO MY SISTER'
The actress reveals why she seemingly disappeared after her starring role in Eagle Vs Shark
Lee & Luke's - RECIPE FOR LOVE
The Cantabrian contestants reveal the secrets of their incredibly strong mother-son bond
JEN GARNER FINALLY TELLS - MY SIDE OF THE STORY!
The actress breaks her silence at last on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck
JESS BREAKOUT ROLE - 'KIWIS DON'T REALLY CARE IF YOU'RE FAMOUS'
The Palmerston North actress is in demand after her part in Netflix hit 3 Body Problem