Motherhood has taught Gold Logie Award nominee Jessica Marais many important life lessons.
But the one person who’s most had an influence on Jessica and her life choices is her six-year-old daughter Scout. Jess says Scout has encouraged her to see the brighter side of life.
“When you’re in this industry, it’s a bit like being inside a perspex box,” Jessica, 33, says. “And sometimes you feel voiceless and powerless.
“Breaking through that is important, but it’s also a journey.”
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Jessica treasures her time with daughter Scout.
It’s a journey the South African-born star – who is also up for Most Popular Actress for her roles in Nine Network’s Love Child and Network Ten’s The Wrong Girl – says she was inspired to take by her “little girl”.
“I’ve learnt so many things since becoming a mother,” Jessica muses.
“I learn things about myself by watching myself in Scout. She teaches me as much as I teach her.
“She’s taught me patience and how to let go of the things you can’t change. She reminds me of the immediacy of today and to be present in the important moments, because I tend to hang on to things.”
Jessica has learnt ‘so many things’ since becoming a mother.
In 2014, Jessica bravely spoke for the first time about her long-time battle with bipolar disorder.
“I just think it’s important to talk about depression,” she said at the time. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. And the more we talk about it as a community, the more we remove the stigma.”
Courageously, the actress has never let it define her. But, looking back at her career, which began in 2008 with the role of Rachel Rafter in Packed To The Rafters, she admits there were times she was very tough on herself.
“I think that’s human nature,” Jessica reasons. “I’m absolutely my biggest critic. And that has a good and a bad side – it just depends how you filter it and which inner critic you let in at which time.”
For more from Jessica’s exclusive interview, pick up a copy of this week’s issue of TV WEEK. Our Gold Nominees Special features six different covers, one with each of our Gold Logie Award nominees: Jessica, Rodger Corser, Amanda Keller, Andrew Winter, Grant Denyer, and Tracy Grimshaw.
