Indian-Australian actress Shubshri Kandiah has revealed the grueling journey from being rejected from various performing arts titles to landing coveted roles as three different Disney princesses.
Shubshri, who is the star of Disney’s new musical Beauty and the Beast in Australia, grew up in Applecross, Perth, and spent her childhood dreaming of being on stage.
The 28-year-old faced alienation and discrimination growing up the only person of color at a suburban Catholic school, but Shubshri built a “sanctuary” around herself and spent weekends in Indian dance classes.
Shubshri had to work harder than her peers to establish herself in the industry and was met with endless discrimination, but her talent spoke for itself and her hard work ultimately paid off.
She has now played Princess Jasmine in a national tour of Aladdin, Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical of the fairy tale, and Cinderella once again in Belvoir St Theater’s production of Into the Woods.
Shubshri, who is the star of Disney’s new musical Beauty and the Beast in Australia, grew up in Applecross, Perth, and spent her childhood dreaming of being on stage.
Indian-Australian actress Shubshri Kandiah has revealed the grueling journey from being rejected from various performing arts titles to landing coveted roles as three different Disney princesses.
The daughter of two immigrants, Shubshri’s parents were shocked when she told them she wanted to drop her primary education degree and pursue a career in musical theatre.
“My parents really wanted me to have a stable income and prepare me for my future,” she said.
“I’m his only child, and the performing arts industry is so unstable that you really never know when your next job will come along or how long a contract will last.
“They had extremely valid concerns, but at the end of the day, my parents are my biggest supporters and they love to see me do what I love.”
Shubshri revealed that her love for performing arts began when she was able to walk and that she had started taking dance lessons when she turned four.
“My family was very involved with the Indian community in Perth,” he said. ‘My aunt and mother taught at the Saraswati Mahavidhyala performing arts centre.
“I felt really connected to my culture through dance and performance, spending every weekend with other Indian families in class.”
The 28-year-old faced alienation and discrimination growing up the only person of color at a suburban Catholic school, but Shubshri built a “sanctuary” around herself and spent weekends in Indian dance classes.
The actress has now played Princess Jasmine in a national tour of Aladdin, Cinderella in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of the fairy tale, and Cinderella once again in Belvoir St Theater’s production of Into the Woods.
The actress said her childhood is one of the reasons it’s important to her to see diversity on screen and on stage.
‘When you’re the only person who looks the way you do, you feel different. It was clear to me that I was the only person of color and that I didn’t look like the other girls.
“When I was a kid, feeling like you fit in and belong to your peers is so important, and it’s something I didn’t have at school.
“Now, I want little girls to know that there’s someone else who looks and sounds like them, so I’m so glad there’s been such a movement with supporting characters.” [race-blind].’
Despite her recent success, Shubshri struggled to get accepted to a tertiary education performing arts degree and spent nearly three years auditioning for courses.
Shubshri had to work harder than her peers to establish herself in the industry and was met with endless discrimination, but her talent spoke for itself and her hard work ultimately paid off.
The daughter of two immigrants, Shubshri’s parents were shocked when she told them she wanted to drop her primary education degree and pursue a career in musical theatre.
She was eventually accepted into a Bachelor of Musical Theater at Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatory of Music in 2015, moving across the country without finishing her teaching degree.
‘Deciding to move was not difficult, it was what I desperately wanted to study and I was very grateful for the opportunity.
“But it hurt my heart to leave my friends and family behind. He had no one in Queensland, and no ties to the Indian community there. Everything was completely new to me.
“It was a big change, and my parents were worried that I would give up my teaching degree, but I honestly felt like there was no other option for me.”
Shubshri’s first professional role was non-singing and speaking for Opera Queensland’s 2017 production of The Pearlfishers.
“I got the role at a time when I was really questioning everything: I didn’t know if the industry was for me or if I really wanted to act after studying for three years.
“But after the show, I knew it was meant to be. It was such a small role, but I loved being on stage and creating something big.’
Despite her recent success, Shubshri struggled to get accepted to a tertiary education performing arts degree and spent nearly three years auditioning for courses.
Eventually, Shubshri found fame and recognition with her roles as Cinderella, Princess Jasmine, and Belle.
Although things improved for a while, the pandemic severely affected Shubshri’s career, setting her back several years.
“It was really difficult in my career and also mentally, as someone so sure of what he wanted to do, not being able to perform was terrible.”
‘All my work for the year was canceled and I had big contracts lined up that just fell through. I had to work in a restaurant for nine months just to make ends meet.
“I had to deal with such a loss of identity, because being an actor is not just a job for me, it is my passion. I give everything I have: I’m constantly on tour, away from my family and friends, but it’s a sacrifice I’m happy to make because I love my job.
Shubshri found it difficult to describe the loss she felt when she was unable to act.
‘It’s really different for my partner and some of my friends: they work for money, pay bills and finance activities outside of work. But that’s not me.
Shubshri is extremely grateful for the ‘brilliant’ opportunities she has had so far in her career, and is honored to have acted as three Disney princesses.
Eventually, Shubshri found fame and recognition with her roles as Cinderella, Princess Jasmine, and Belle.
“I always wanted to be a Disney princess and it’s amazing that I’ve had so many brilliant opportunities.
“I spent my childhood watching Disney movies and sang Disney songs a lot, which is why I think the music fits my voice so comfortably. I grew up with them.
“Each Disney princess is admirable and inspiring in her own way, and it’s so nice to be a part of that performance on stage.”
Disney’s new production of Beauty and the Beast is now playing at the Capitol Theater in Sydney.
