Brazilian actress and model Sunessis De Brito is a master of the “layered transition.” Since relocating from Brazil to Los Angeles, she has navigated the worlds of film, television, and theatre with a unique blend of rhythm and resilience. Known for her work in The Bay and Deadly Vows, Sunessis leverages her background as a singer and dancer to bring a deep physical consciousness to her performances.
In this exclusive interview, Sunessis opens up about the challenges of building a career across cultures and the “entrepreneurial maturity” that defines her journey. She also discusses her upcoming lead role in the Mark Headley-produced film Her Red-Haired Alibi—a project inspired by the golden age of cinema—and her hopes for leaving a moving emotional trace on her audience. Dive in to discover the drive behind one of Hollywood’s most promising international talents.
HEY SUNESSIS, WELCOME TO WORLDAUTHORS.ORG AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY. FOR READERS WHO ARE JUST DISCOVERING YOU, HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOUR JOURNEY SO FAR?
Thanks for having me and I am delighted with the opportunity of your readers getting to know me better. I am a Brazilian actress and commercial model based in Los Angeles. My artistic career started in Brazil and I’ve been working in Los Angeles for a while now and so far I’ve acted in great projects with talented artists.
YOU’VE WORKED ACROSS FILM, TELEVISION, AND THEATRE. DO YOU FEEL LIKE EACH MEDIUM BRINGS OUT A DIFFERENT SIDE OF YOU AS AN ARTIST?
Yes, different styles and techniques for each medium. In theatre, the work is continuous and communal, an actor has to sustain emotional truth in real time. Film often magnifies subtlety. And in TV you have time to explore contradictions and growth episode by episode.
PROJECTS LIKE BLOW FOR BLOW AND DEADLY VOWS ARE REACHING GLOBAL AUDIENCES. WHAT USUALLY DRAWS YOU TO A ROLE WHEN YOU’RE DECIDING WHAT TO TAKE ON?
The type of project, the people involved in it, the character and if I want to tell that story.
I think I need to understand well the essence of the character, the character’s world, needs, drive and purpose. Then I find what are the similarities and differences between us. And then I find how I can connect emotionally with the character’s emotions in the given circumstances. I really enjoy the script analysis and the rehearsals so I can apply different techniques that I’ve learned and what works for me.
YOU’RE ALSO A SINGER AND DANCER. DO THOSE PARTS OF YOU NATURALLY INFLUENCE HOW YOU APPROACH ACTING?
I believe when you understand movement and rhythm you can add that to your performance and the dance brings that consciousness and confidence to my body instrument whereas singing builds emotional openness and musicality enhances timing and scene rhythm.
MOVING FROM BRAZIL TO THE UNITED STATES IS A BIG SHIFT. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT SHAPED YOU, BOTH PERSONALLY AND CREATIVELY?
It was a layered transition that reshaped identity, career strategy and language. Cultural transition, It’s a recurring question: How much of myself do I preserve how much do I adapt? It’s creatively energizing and some of the biggest challenges are the accent and inconsistency work that shapes artistic maturity, I became more resilient and entrepreneurial.
YOU’VE APPEARED IN SERIES LIKE THE BAY AND MY AMERICAN FAMILY. HOW DOES WORKING ON A SERIES COMPARE TO FILM FOR YOU?
The core craft is the same but they are two different lifestyles and creative processes. The performance in film is usually more concentrated and carefully sculpted whereas in TV Series the actor discovers the character while filming rather than beforehand.
Embrace your culture so you can bring in different perspectives to your creative journey.
LOOKING AHEAD, WHAT KIND OF STORIES ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO TELL, AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR WORK?
I am really excited about my first lead role in a new film called “Her Red-Haired Alibi”. It is already in production and it’s based on a 1930s Shirley Temple movie. Additionally, I’ll be shooting the movie “Matter of Strife” in Arizona this year as well, both produced by the great Mark Headley.
I hope to leave an emotional trace, leave them feeling energized, imaginative and transported. I hope that my performance is genuinely moving.