Anna Uzele: Finding Faith in Following Your Heart

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My next guest is a Congolese Puerto Rican artist Anna Uzele who co-costarred in the Apple TV+ series Dear Edward, alongside Connie Britton and Taylor Schilling, and recently starred on Broadway as Francine in the Kander & Ebb Broadway musical New York New York. Previously, she originated the role of Cartherine Parr in the North American tour and Broadway debut of SIX.

Anna Uzele, is an artist whose journey is a testament to the complexity of maintaining one's identity amidst the expectations of faith and the pressures of a highly demanding career. Our conversation, sheds light on the topics of balancing personal beliefs with professional aspirations, the critical role of self-care in the entertainment industry, and the profound search for authenticity in one's work.
The discussion begins with Anna's upbringing in an evangelical Christian family and how her homeschooling years shaped her initial understanding of the world. Homeschooled until the eighth grade, Anna was then exposed to the vibrant diversity of a performing arts high school, which marked a significant transition in her life. The stark contrast between her religious upbringing and the liberal environment of the arts school laid the foundation for an ongoing exploration of self. This duality of her life, caught between the tenets of faith and the lure of the stage, presented challenges and opportunities that would deeply influence her career choices and personal growth.
Self-care emerges as a prominent theme in our dialogue. Anna shares personal anecdotes about the demanding nature of Broadway and the toll it can take on an artist's physical and emotional well-being. The need to recognize and address the signs of burnout, to implement strategies that support one's mental and physical health, and to sometimes take a step back from the relentless pursuit of success
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Kapitler

1. Exploring Identity and Artistic Passion (00:00:01)

2. Faith and Identity in Performing Arts (00:08:37)

3. Balancing Self-Care and Performance Pressure (00:18:07)

4. Navigating Energy, Pressure, and Self Care (00:23:31)

5. Auditioning, Aspirations, and Inspiration (00:37:44)