Victoria Lebene shares her story of self-doubt, rejection

THE movie industry can be a daunting and intimidating space, especially for newbies.

 And for those who are looking to make a mark in the industry, it's essential to develop a thick skin and a high level of confidence to succeed. 

Actress Victoria Lebene, now a minister of the gospel and entrepreneur, once struggled with self-doubt and rejection, which nearly derailed her dreams of becoming a star.

Speaking in a recent interview with the Daily Graphic, the mother of two revealed that her passion for storytelling and performing drove her to pursue a career in acting. 

However, she was initially intimidated by the industry's fierce competition, her own self-doubt, repeated rejections and negative thoughts, which almost convinced her to give up on her aspirations.

In all of these, she did not heed those negative thoughts.

Fortunately, encouragement from her loved ones and her unyielding zeal for success helped her overcome these obstacles. With persistence and hard work, Victoria broke through the barriers and became a recognisable face on the silver screen.

Reflecting on her journey, the Broken Mirror actress shared, “I've always had a deep love for storytelling and performing. Acting allows me to bring characters to life and connect with audiences on an emotional level. It's a way for me to express myself and share my passion with the world.

“Like any career, acting has its challenges. I've faced rejections, self-doubt and the pressure to constantly prove myself. However, I've learned to embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and today I am here still giving it my best shot.

“While I have had some challenging times, I have equally had some highlighting moments from my journey in the entertainment industry. I have had the chance to work with talented and inspiring individuals, being a part of impactful projects and receiving recognition for my performances. Each experience has contributed to my growth and passion for the craft,” she said. 

Family life and celebrity status

From the actress’ perspective, maintaining a successful career while nurturing a family can be very challenging, particularly for women in the spotlight.

She said there was always an overwhelming pressure to sustain a flawless public image, as well as constant scrutiny and expectations placed on females, which often intrude on personal and family time, adding that celebrities created a demanding environment that could be difficult to navigate.

But in all of these, the actress has managed to find her balance. She focuses on effective time management for each of her endeavours.

"Gender bias and double standards are prevalent in the industry. As women, we are often expected to balance our professional and family responsibilities perfectly and any deviation from this can attract harsh criticism and trolling.

Balancing both roles can be challenging, but I believe in effective time management and prioritisation. I make sure to allocate dedicated time for both my acting commitments and my entrepreneurial ventures, ensuring that I give my best to each area,” she told Daily Graphic.

New calling

The actress has a knack for nurturing young talents and she has embarked on a new journey as a reverend minister, hoping to leverage her platform to empower and inspire individuals in their personal and professional endeavours. 

She says unlike others who start these empowerment programmes for clout chasing, her ministry is built on the foundation of compassion, empathy and understanding geared towards helping others discover and pursue their dreams. 

“My calling is real and not for social media engagement or clout. Yes, it has been there, but you know, I’ve been involved in a lot of things and so I needed to give myself the pace and time to really execute that role so that I will not end up putting too much pressure on myself.

“The call comes very strong and you really need to heed it, or else you don't know the next thing that may happen to you. Life is too short. A moment, you're here and the next, you’re gone. And I guess you would be disappointed if you do not fulfil your purpose on earth,” she said.