The true story behind Disney’s new Belle: How Indian-Australian actress battled discrimination and a tough childhood before scoring starring roles as three princesses: ‘I didn’t look like the other girls’
- Shubshri Kandiah has starred as Cinderella, Princess Jasmine, and Belle
- The Perth actress shared her gruelling journey to the top
Indian-Australian actress Shubshri Kandiah has revealed the gruelling journey of being rejected from several performing arts degrees to attaining coveted roles as three different Disney princesses.
Shubshri, who is the star of Disney’s new Beauty and the Beast musical 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 being the only person of colour at a suburban Catholic school – but Shubshri built a ‘sanctuary’ around herself and spent her weekends at Indian dance lessons.
Shubshri had to work harder than her peers to establish herself in the industry and she was met with endless discrimination – but her talent spoke for itself and her hard work eventually paid off.
She has now starred as Princess Jasmine in a national tour of Aladdin, Cinderella in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of the fairytale, and Cinderella once again in the Belvoir St Theatre production of Into the Woods.
Shubshri, who is the star of Disney’s new Beauty and the Beast musical in Australia, grew up in Applecross, Perth, and spent her childhood dreaming of being on stage
Indian-Australian actress Shubshri Kandiah has revealed the gruelling journey of being rejected from several performing arts degrees to attaining coveted roles as three different Disney princesses
The child of two immigrants, Shubshri’s parents were shocked when she told them she wanted to drop out of her primary school education degree and pursue a career in musical theatre.
‘My parents really wanted me to have a steady income and set myself up for my future,’ she said.
‘I’m their only child, and the performing arts industry is so unstable – you truly never know when your next job is coming or how long a contract is going to be for.
‘They had extremely valid concerns – but at the end of the day, my parents are my biggest supporters and they love seeing me do what I love.’
Shubshri revealed that her love for performing arts began when she could walk, and that she had started taking dance lessons when she turned four years old.
‘My family was very involved with the Indian community in Perth,’ she said. ‘My aunt and mum taught at the Saraswati Mahavidhyala centre for performing arts.
‘I felt really connected to my culture through dance and performing, and I’d spend all my weekends with other Indian families at class.’
The 28-year-old faced alienation and discrimination growing up being the only person of colour at a suburban Catholic school – but Shubshri built a ‘sanctuary’ around herself and spent her weekends at Indian dance lessons
The actress has now starred as Princess Jasmine in a national tour of Aladdin, Cinderella in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical of the fairytale, and Cinderella once again in the Belvoir St Theatre production of Into the Woods
The actress said that her childhood is one of the reasons it’s important for 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 colour and I didn’t look like the other girls.
‘As a child, feeling like you fit in and like you belong with 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 out there who looks and sounds like them, which is why I’m so glad there’s been such a movement with casting characters [race-blind].’
Despite her recent success, Shubshri struggled to get accepted into a tertiary education performing arts degree, and spent almost three years auditioning for courses.
Shubshri had to work harder than her peers to establish herself in the industry and she was met with endless discrimination – but her talent spoke for itself and her hard work eventually paid off
The child of two immigrants, Shubshri’s parents were shocked when she told them she wanted to drop out of her primary school education degree and pursue a career in musical theatre
She was finally accepted into a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2015, and moved across the country without finishing her teaching degree.
‘Deciding to move wasn’t hard – it was desperately what I wanted to study and I was so grateful for the opportunity.
‘But it hurt my heart to leave my friends and family behind. I had no one in Queensland, and no ties to the Indian community there. It was all completely new to me.
‘It was a big change, and my parents were worried about my giving up my teaching degree, but I honestly felt like there was no other option for me.’
Shubshri’s first-ever professional role was non-speaking and non-singing for Opera Queensland’s production of The Pearlfishers in 2017.
‘I landed the role during a point where I was really questioning everything – I didn’t know if the industry was for me, or if I really wanted to perform 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 important.’
Despite her recent success, Shubshri struggled to get accepted into a tertiary education performing arts degree, and spent almost three years auditioning for courses
Eventually, Shubshri found fame and recognition with her roles as Cinderella, Princess Jasmine, and Belle
Even though things were looking up for a while, the pandemic severely impacted Shubshri’s career and set her back several years.
‘It was really difficult on my career and also mentally – as someone so sure of what I wanted to do, not being able to perform was terrible.
‘All my work for the year was cancelled and I had huge 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 a performer isn’t just a job to me, it’s my passion. I give it 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 hard to describe the loss she felt when she wasn’t able to perform.
‘It’s really different for my partner and for some of my friends – they work to have money, pay the bills, and fund activities outside of work. But that’s just not me.’
Shubshri is extremely grateful for the ‘brilliant’ opportunities she’s had so far in her career – and is honoured to have performed 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 so incredible that I’ve had so many brilliant opportunities.
‘I spent my childhood watching Disney movies and sung their songs so much – it’s why I think the music fits so comfortably in my voice. I grew up with them.
‘Every Disney princess is admirable and inspirational in their own way, and it’s so nice to be part of that representation on stage.’
Disney’s brand-new production of Beauty and the Beast now playing at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
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