I just read this interview with Jenny Slate and it pulled me in. She talks about those moments of kismet—when life hands you an opportunity that might be disguised as loss, pain, or fear. In Dying for Sex, her character’s transformation comes through a terrifying diagnosis, yet it’s that exact “dark parcel” that opens the door to deep change. Slate says, “You have to be at a growth point—or a breaking point—to say yes.
https://www.indiewire.com/awards/consider-this/jenny-slate-dying-for-sex...
I'm intrigued to know if you've ever had a kismet moment in your acting life—one that felt like fate, but came in an unexpected or even painful form?
What was the “package” it came in—was it loss, rejection, burnout, illness, or a surprising twist?
Were you at a breaking point or a point of hunger when you said yes to something new?
Or are you waiting for that moment—preparing yourself for when it comes?
How do you tell the difference between a detour and a doorway?
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This is a deep question Alexandra Stevens Off the top of my head, I can't say that I have had a kismet moment when it comes to my acting career specifically. I do agree though that everything has meaning, and what we think may be a terrible thing, turns out to be a blessing in disguise. I don't like that terminology "blessing in disguise" because everything is a miracle. I will have to think on this some more to come up with a kismet opportunity careerwise.
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Suzanne Bronson sure take all the time you need to reflect. Similarly to you I don't have an acting career one yet although I can think of one from the past when I was doing something else.
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Alexandra Stevens I have a lot of examples of when I was miserable in a conventional job and was seeking a different one, and I managed to get myself fired. haha Manifestation if you will. In my experience, the Universe will force action if you don't take it yourself. Or rather, the Universe will take the action on your behalf when you lack the courage to take action yourself. But it's always for something better.
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Hi! Film Producer here. I am not an actress but I think this type of question is fun for all major roles in this business (knowing so many of them are so tough!!) I moved out to LA from Texas with nothing but a few thousand dollars saved up, and in my first interview (within 2 weeks of moving here) I got into the elevator and the 1st AD on my a movie I worked on in Texas in college was there! He couldn't believe it, and walked me right into the person I was interviewing with and got me the job. I knew in that moment I was meant to be here and the rest is history. :) I think manifestation and the power of a positivity can go a really long way. Keep your heads up!!
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Kristy Grisham wow that it such an uplifting story! And so brave of you to do such a thing, follow your intuition and move for your passion with just a bit of money in the bank. I agree with you about the power of manifesting and positivity. What are you working on at the moment?
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Alexandra Stevens That quote from Jenny Slate is such a powerful reflection of how art and life are constantly in conversation with each other. After losing my mom, I was completely depleted. I found myself questioning everything, including whether I had the strength or desire to keep creating. I honestly considered walking away from creative work altogether. But hitting that wall forced me to get painfully honest with myself and with my grief. I had to face what I truly wanted and what I was afraid of.
That moment of reckoning opened the door to something unexpected: the book I’ve been working on for the past year. It’s a story I wouldn’t have been ready to tell before, but now it’s one I feel deeply connected to.
Sometimes those “kismet” moments don’t feel magical at first; they feel like loss. But with time and reflection, they can become a kind of invitation.
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Ashley Renee Smith thanks for this vulnerable sharing. I feel touched. I think it is very wise to reflect that kismet moments do not always feel magical. I can relate, to the grief as well. I feel uplifted hearing about your book. Curious to know more about it when the time is right for you
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For me, this doesn't pertain to acting specifically, but it does in a roundabout way, Alexandra Stevens. I tried snow skiing for the first time. My wife and I ran a lodge up in the mountains of New Mexico and I had never gone skiing so we thought we'd try it. The host did not give me detachable skis typically given to a newbie so on the way down, I hit a rock and came tumbling down the mountain. I still remember the crunching sound of my ankles. I still remember what the pain felt like.
I was out of commission for 3-4 months and our daughter was 3 months old at the time. So my job was to take care of her 24-7 for those months. She sat on my lap day after day (I know every Blues Clues song there is) which meant we bonded over that time. That bonding foundation has lasted ever since.
She's 23 and still comes to dad to tell me about her day, who said what and everything in between. We share likes (comics and heroes) and all things creative. And now, all she wants is to be involved in acting and I'm writing work that she can star in (hopefully). This has taken years to manifest but it's starting to feel more and more like we'll be working together at some point.
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Aww Leonardo Ramirez 2 this warms my heart to heart to hear about the close and loving connection you have with your daughter. I could definitely see why you interpret this as a fated event. And to think that have that creative talent in common and that she might star your work, definitely sounds like the two of you were meant to be
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I hope so Alexandra Stevens. I want her to have her full freedom to go wherever her heart takes her but I do think it would be fun.