The Way I Am ‘I've Learnt To Trust Myself'

SA musical-theatre actress Samantha Peo, 48, talks to Stephanie van der Plank about success, phobias, and treasured possessions. She’s single and lives in Bryanston.

- Stephanie van der Plank

What’s your earliest memory?

It has to be jumping around to Frank Sinatra records in our living room with my mom, older sister… and a clutch of children from our neighbourhood! The local moms ran a day-care club, each taking turns to look after all the kids on weekdays. My mom’s days were the best – a whirl of painting or dancing. She has a very playful spirit.

Did you have a career plan B?

Honestly? I’m not sure I even had a solid plan A! I more or less followed a passion that fortunately became a career. I grew up mesmerised by film actresses like Debbie Reynolds and Marilyn Monroe, trying to emulate them when they would break into song on screen. Couple that with the fact that I’ve been doing jazz and modern dance since the age of five, and you have the basic ingredients for life in musical theatre.

Best decision you’ve ever made?

Reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I picked it up at a low point in my life in my late twenties – I was returning home, unemployed, from a long overseas tour and recovering from a bad break-up; I was a mess. This ‘self-help’ book, which started out simply as a way to reignite my creativity, ended up providing quite a spiritual journey for me. My way of thinking changed and I learnt to be more self-aware and self-loving.

And the worst?

Not following my gut instincts. So often, I’ve ignored the red flags – in relationships or in my career choices – and afterwards thought, “If only I’d…” Learning to trust yourself is a skill that only blossoms with time and life experience. How many twenty-somethings have the confidence to do that?

What is your biggest achievement?