We’re going into the NYOTA archives to find some of our favorite interviews that weren’t originally shared on the site.

Jordyn Curet is a singer and actress who has been acting since she was 2 years old. Now, she can be seen in the popular comedy Home Economics, acting alongside Topher Grace, Caitlin McGee, Sasheer Zamata, and Jimmy Tatro. Curet talked to NYOTA about her character Shamiah and the ups and downs of social media. 

As a child, was it clear to your family that you would end up being a performer?

Since I was 2, I have always loved performing on stage, and it was a great way to dive into the world of acting. My family and I certainly weren’t prepared for the amazing opportunities that have come my way. I guess they always knew somehow that I would be incredibly grateful for how lucky I am for all the opportunities.  

Tell our readers about your show, Home Economics. What drew you to the show and made you want to audition?

When I first read the audition script for Home Economics, I was 10 years old. I loved the fact that I had two moms and a very big family, which included brothers and cousins. Also, many of my friends come from same-sex parents, so it’s nice to connect with them while learning to better represent the LGBTQ+ community.

Are there similarities between you and your character, Shamiah?

I can say that Season 3 is where I relate more to her, because we can see that “Shamiah” is growing up, and she is going through a lot of what comes with being a teenager. Her first crush, feeling more insecure about her house, and overall, is going through a phase in her life that can be very relatable to other teen girls as well!  

Another facet of being an actor is being present and reachable on social media, and you are very active across platforms. Do you find social media to be an easy way to connect with fans?

Social media is a great way to keep in touch with fans. I love getting to interact with everyone and engaging. For me, it’s important to be able to reach my audience and go on this journey together. 

With so many young people being online, there are, of course, downsides to social media as well. How do you think that social media is impacting your generation?

It’s for sure a blessing and a curse. Many people turn to social media as a place to let anger out on one another or display harsh beauty standards on themselves, while others can simply use it to keep in touch with friends and family or their followers. Some advice I would give is to stay safe on social media since it has changed over the years. 

Tell our readers about your nonprofit foundation and what motivated you to start it.

My nonprofit organization, “Jordyn’s Joy,” helps bring in donations of toys, books, and food drives, where we host events to support other organizations. We’ve recently partnered with the Ronald McDonald House of Los Angeles to donate medical supplies, school supplies, and food to kids in their hospitals.  

Outside of acting, you also sing. One day, would you hope to merge the two and do a musical or write songs for television and movies?

Since I can remember, I have always wanted to be in a musical because I love them. My dream would be to play a role in Hairspray or Wicked. I’ve always adored those Broadway musicals, and it would be an honor to play a role in one of them someday. 

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

If you have a passion for your craft, you have to continue working. This industry can be really hard, so it’s important to not give up and keep believing in yourself and in your dreams. Even receiving a “no” can sometimes be a lesson or a pathway that can lead to your next role. Maybe not as soon as you hope for, but certainly, your hard work will pay off.

This story first ran in Issue 29. Read more from the issue here.