Could you please introduce yourself and your Pacific Heritage
Malo le lei, my name is Sepiutaruth To’a known as Sepi To’a and I am proudly Tongan and Fijian. On my mothers side, we come from Mua Tatakamotonga in Tonga and on my fathers side we come from Lau Lakemba in Fiji.
Where did you grow up?
This question is always so interesting for me to reminisce on as we have lived in so many places. Born in South Auckland, younger years in Laotoka Fiji before we flew to the middle of the dessert - Cloncurry QLD Australia. Made our way up the coast to Darwin in the NT living on a houseboat to Toowoomba up in the mountains before choosing to reside near the beach in Brisbane QLD and now a full circle back in Auckland Aoteoroa.
For those who don't know, could you please tell us about your role in GRAFTED?
I’d describe Jasmine as a young, kind hearted, empathetic Tongan girl who tries her best to follow what she knows is right whilst having to deal with peer pressure, societal expectations and cultural traditions. She’s dressed in bright, funky colours throughout with cool 90s pieces such as layered denim jeans, headscarves and always rocking her natural Polynesian curls.
What is GRAFTED about?
Grafted is a CRAZY story. It focuses on societal beauty being skin deep and the stereotypes we can subconsciously place on people from their outward appearance. Wei, a young asian girl travels to Auckland on a science scholarship to continue her fathers creation of a serum that can leave your skin blemish free from impurities. And after a problem.. or a few faces swapping here and there .. the audience get a glimpse into the lives of these girls and how everyone is dealing with something.
Without giving away too much, there are some themes of struggling to fit in as an Immigrant in a new country. Have you ever experienced something similar growing up away from your home island?
Australia taught me so much in the sense of “sticking out”, finding power in that and creating your own family. I’ve become friends with so many different people from different walks of life and it’s about embracing what makes us different that we find those genuine safe spaces and relationships in places not built for us.
How has your Pacific Heritage affected the way you operate in your industry/mahi?
I always try to stand on my cultural values and beliefs; building a strong community, loving your neighbour, respecting those who came before and not being afraid to do the work. If anything embracing my Pacific Heritage has been a huge blessing in keeping me grounded within this competitive, westernised industry, but not without its battles. My first professional theatre starring debut in Australia, 3 girls dropped out of the play with parents calling the company director to complain that I may be the wrong leading image for the institution, that funds would be withdrawn.. me or a “brown girl” would be the wrong leading image? And I finished that season with pride written across my chest because I KNOW no one could’ve played that role with the strength and love like your Tongan, Fijian girl right here. Period.
What/Who inspires you?
Music, my beautiful family, the word and heroic stories like Malala Yousafzai, Anne Frank and Jackie Robinson.
What advice would you give other young Pacific Island girls who want to give Acting/Arts a go?
No one can ever bring what you can to the role. You are one of a kind, I am one of a kind, we could never play the character, create a song, write a story exactly the same AND THAT IS OUR POWER. Currently, the industry is becoming more diverse with minorities being able to slowly make their way to the big screens with our stories. NOW IS THE TIME. There has never been a Polynesian best actress at the Oscar’s … is that us sis?
You can catch GRAFTED in Cinemas NOW!
By Tikilounge Productions & Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
