Happiness in This World

As an accomplished actress, Claudia Jessie has starred on ITV’s Vanity Fair, BBC One’s WPC 56, and the medical comedy Porters on Dave. Furthermore, she will be seen on Bridgerton, based on the same-name familial series from Julia Quinn and executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes, as the show is hitting Netflix this year. “I can’t believe I get paid for what I do. Something of this scale is unreal,” she says. “I auditioned for the role of Penelope, a different character, and was offered the role of Eloise, which makes so much sense to me! The show is so beautifully cast. I felt really honored when I got the news. It has been the greatest job I have ever had – it is so exciting. I am still coming to terms with it!”

She has always had an actual knack for acting, but since making a name for herself in the industry, the British actress has faced some challenges. “For me, acting is joyful, natural, and organic, but the most challenging part is this inner monologue I have with myself. I think we all have it as human beings. I don’t think it is necessarily just assigned to this industry,” she shares. “But I’ve had feelings of self-doubt or that I don’t belong here. I didn’t have a classic trajectory into this industry, but I’ve learned to tell myself, ‘I do belong here. It’s okay.’ The way I have been able to get through these challenges is, I have strongly practiced Buddhism for the last 13 years. Buddhism has been the backbone and strength of my life that have kept me steady.”

Jessie then discusses the importance of self-care and extending that compassion to others. In fact, she utilizes her own social media to advocate for mental-health awareness. Although you won’t see her walking around with a selfie stick anytime soon, she wants to encourage others whenever possible. “There’s nothing harder than to be a human being with the capacity we have to feel, communicate, react, and respond. Also, we haven’t evolved as quickly as our environment, so we are bound to suffer the human condition, such as anxiety, sadness, depression, and even immense fear,” she says, before adding a quick joke: “Essentially, we are all just little idiots running around, trying not to ruin our lives.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, moreover, due to limited access to resources, cost, and the stigma attached to mental-health problems, there are often long delays between the first appearance of symptoms and when people get help. “We create an environment that welcomes everyone as they are. I just think talking and reaching out are pure. However, not everyone may have the capacity to do that,” Jessie adds. “That’s why it is so important not to leave anyone behind. Sometimes, it’s that extra text to a mate that can make a difference. Though we live in our own bodies and we have our own experience, we are not alone.”

Although she is proud of her successful career, Claudia Jessie never forgets where it all began. “My mom has done everything to make sure I had a life that she didn’t. She would clean houses and take me with her whilst home-schooling me. She did everything to make sure that we had food. She did things like cleaning the house of a violin teacher or the house of a ballet instructor in exchange for my lessons. She was creative and thoughtful so that we could really do what we wanted. Personally, I am so proud that maybe I’ve been able to release some pressure for my family. I get emotional just talking about it,” Jessie says, her voice choking up. “I didn’t come from a financially stable place, so seeing the payoff for them is unbelievable. That means everything to me. It is my proudest achievement.”

Writer: Samantha Orr

Photographer & Videographer: Owen James Vincent

Stylist: Joanna Valmai Wills

Hair & Makeup: Desmond Grundy (for Terri Manduca - using Bumble and bumble. & bareMinerals UK)

Editor: Eiko Watanabe

Special thanks to Andaz London Liverpool Street (@andazlondon - www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/england- united-kingdom/andaz-london-liverpool-street/longe) & Rake’s Café Bar (@rakescafebar - www.rakescafebar.co.uk) & EPK Media (@myepk & @epkmedia - epkmedia.com)