Celebrity Cover Story

Photo courtesy: Stephen Scott

Photo courtesy: Stephen Scott

Photo courtesy: David Leyes

Photo courtesy: Stephen Scott

Being Paula
(from Degrassi and Being Erica)

By Geneviève D'Souza

She's paved her own path, surrounded herself with good people and stayed motivated by her larger than life personality and joie de vivre! Actress Paula Brancati, who plays Jane Vaughn on the popular award-winning TV show Degrassi: The Next Generation, has a star quality that extends far beyond her years.

Now age 20 and thriving in her acting career, Paula is grounded by her humble and grateful nature. Claiming to always have a "perma grin at the end of the day," she says "work is having fun with playmates—my cast mates." But she admits that challenges come with combining a life in the spotlight with a personal life.

"It's tricky for anyone with a career that's time-consuming," says Paula. "My generation is very ambitious. But I stay close to my friends and family." Born in Toronto, Paula's parents and younger brother have been her greatest fans and supporters since the start of her journey into acting.

Her career began at the age of 10, gaining popularity in community musical theatre for Characters Theatre Troupe (Thornhill, Ontario) and City Youth Players (Vaughan, Ontario). She was discovered by an agent shortly after and appeared in her first CBC TV series at the age of 13 called The Blobheads. Paula went on to play principal roles in the Disney Channel features Cow Belles and Jump In!

Her 2003 film debut in "Cold Creek Manor," alongside Sharon Stone and Dennis Quaid, coincided with her professional theatre debut with the Canadian Stage Company in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Paula's passion for the arts also extends to music, in which she is classically trained in voice and piano—soul music mostly. It's no surprise that her talents cast her into the role of Cinderella in the 2008 Ross Petty Toronto production of Cinderella: The Sillylicious Family Musical.

"I'd love to do more film work, but there's something so thrilling about being on stage," says Paula. "It's risky and you're on edge. With TV, I like that we have more time and it all becomes more natural."

In January 2010, HBO Canada aired its anthology of 10 short subjects—"Little Films About Big Moments" (http://www.littlefilms.ca)--a project for first-time directors who have mentors helping them create short films about life-changing moments. Paula played a sister who shares a secret and gets a shocking response in a short film called "Rockin the Rainbow" by director Sonia Hosko.

And let's not forget her role as Jenny Zalen on the hit CBC TV series Being Erica (played by Erin Karpluk who she says "is a great leading lady…a great person and a good friend") where she plays a party girl, from a privileged background, who lives for a daily dose of adrenaline rush.

How does she manage two different roles on two separate shows?

"I'd love to be athletic like Jane and extreme like Jenny. My role as Jane on Degrassi is dramatic. She's a strong, independent girl who is mature and tackles serious issues like abuse from her character's father. My role as Jenny on Being Erica is a little more out there. She's a character who jumps from one crazy idea to the next. My true self has none of these characteristics. I love who I am—compassionate, loyal and a learner."

So as an actor, how does Paula cope with changes in characters and personalities?

"I watch people," she says. "I open myself up to a situation and magic happens. I start to get in tune with my emotions and other actors. I store images and collect situations from life." She finds many such meaningful moments during her work with The Starlight Foundation and The Children's Wish Foundation.

Always on a mission to absorb new things, Paula feels content with her life at this point, but she admits there is work to do in certain areas.

"I have to improve my listening skills and stay driven at times," she says. "Even when I'm tired, I never want to settle and ride the wave."

"I know that by surrounding myself with positive energy and people I love, I will always have the strength to persevere through anything." And that she has.

Paula's versatility in acting has landed her industry recognition including two Gemini Award nominations for her roles in the Emmy-winning YTV series, Dark Oracle and her current role in Degrassi. She also has two Dora Award nominations for an off-Broadway stage play called Dog Sees God.

"I love the business," says Paula. "I'm a positive person. I stay focused. I stay in the zone. You have to to succeed and be happy. I can't even see retirement right now. I'd probably just want to slow down when I get there."

Tidbits About Paula Brancati:

Favorite Word: "Boss" or "Seen"
Least Favorite Word: "Ugly"
Indulgences: Chips Ahoy cookies & online TV
Her Plan B: Directing or Writing for TV
Her Plan C: Speaking & Music & Creating unique gift baskets as a business

Premiering July 2010: "Degrassi Takes Manhattan"--Paula Brancati sings three songs for the soundtrack and performs them in the movie.