Australian actress Daisy Betts chatted about starring in the new faith-based movie “Unsung Hero.”
This film will be released in theaters nationwide on Friday, April 26. It stars his Joel Smallbone of For King & Country (who directed and co-wrote it), Daisy Betts, Kirrilee Berger, Candace Cameron Bure, and Jonathan Jackson, among others.
On playing Helen, she said, “I finally felt like I could be my ‘mom self,’ and still be my actor self at the same time so that was a real treat. Being able to play someone who will inspire moms and feel seen and appreciated in their role is really important, so that was great.”
“This role was very close to who I am as a mother and having moved from Australia to the United States, where I didn’t know people and I had to find a community and realizing that you have to lean on family sometimes, so there were a lot of parallels. This was unique to me, especially to play a role like this,” she elaborated.
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, at a time when streaming, technology, and social media are so prevalent, Betts said with a sweet laugh, “That is really scary. I have four children and I’m not sure how I am going to navigate that.”
Betts continued, “Obviously, it’s fantastic for the amount of content in terms of TV shows and films. If you are an actor, and you want to find work, it is more readily available these days, but things are changing faster than we can keep up with.”
“I definitely have mixed feelings on this topic, so it’s a tough one,” she acknowledged.
Working with Candace Cameron Bure as executive producer
Betts had great words about working with Candace Cameron Bure on this film as both a co-star and executive producer.
“Candace is the sweetest, she is such a beautiful person,” Betts admitted. “I met Candace first as the actor playing Kay Albright.”
“We were in a scene together, where she is playing this Nashville sweetheart with the accent, smile and this red/orange curly wig… so it didn’t really look like Candace at all but the essence of her was there,” she elaborated.
“Kay and Candace are both really sweet and good people,” Betts said. “Also, as a producer with Candy Rock Entertainment, Candace is helping us taking this film to the next level, which is great.”
Advice for young and aspiring actors
For young and aspiring actors, Betts said, “If you stay true to yourself and you let people know who you really are, then that will come through, and eventually the right roles will come to you, so just stay at it and follow your dreams. That’s the message from ‘Unsung Hero’ and from me.”
Career-defining moments
When asked about her career-defining moments, Betts said, “I think it’s the journey. I don’t think there are defining moments; the whole thing is a journey and every role you play shapes you in a certain way, so I suppose I am who I am from a series of defining moments.”
Playing the first female firefighter in ‘Chicago Fire’
Betts also recalled her time in the procedural TV show “Chicago Fire.” “I loved that. It was really hard work. Playing a firefighter was hard since I had a five-month-old baby at the time and I was still nursing,” she said.
“It was funny because at the time, I was the first female firefighter on the show. Acting allows you to try things that you ordinarily wouldn’t get to try,” she noted.
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Betts said, “Creativity.”
Superpower of choice
Her superpower of choice would be to be “unflappable in any situation.”
“I need that as a mom,” she admitted. “My superpower is being a mom. That would be pretty cool because if you are unflappable nothing can get you.”
Success
On her definition of the word success, Betts said, “If you love your family, you are rich in life. So, something along those lines. If you can surround yourself with people that love you and lift you up, then that’s a good measure of success.”
Closing thoughts on ‘Unsung Hero’
For fans and viewers, Betts remarked, “I think it’s a really inspiring and uplifting story. It is based on true events. It’s a dramatic journey, so take your tissues.”
“It will be a little bit emotional, and you are going to come out of this film feeling inspired and uplifted. In the world today, this is the film we need,” he concluded.
To learn more about Australian actress Daisy Betts, follow her on Instagram.
