When Jasmine Wong won the Best Supporting Actress award last November at the National Drama Festival for her role in the play Guilty Pleasure, it was just two years after throwing herself headlong into drama, while also attending university.
Jasmine, who is also a model, recalled that she became involved in acting in 2012 after renowned Guyanese dramatist, Margaret Lawrence, visited the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen campus as a guest speaker and invited students to become involved in theatre arts. Jasmine soon found herself involved with Lawrence’s radio serial drama “Merundoi” and before long, she was on stage, finding very quickly that she had a passion for acting.
A firm believer in the idea that “life is too short to be within your comfort zone all the time,” Jasmine has not spent too much time in that zone.
Born Shameeza Jasmine Wong to parents Maylene Wong and the late Herman George Glen on July, 19, 1991, in Mabaruma, North West District, she is the eighth of her mother’s ten children. Growing up seeing her mom struggle to make ends meet, aroused a determination in her to be successful.
After writing the Secondary School Entrance Examinations (SSEE) she gained a place at the Cummings Lodge Secondary but was granted a scholarship by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana to attend the Al Ghazali Islamic Academy. Despite being absent from school many times because she had to take care of her younger siblings whilst her mother toiled to provide for them, she was able to complete her secondary education. She gained eight subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations, topping the Science stream at her school. However, she let her dream of becoming a doctor fade after the realization that she could not come to grips with seeing people in pain.
Jasmine also believes that life “starts when you dare to do what is beyond your perceived limits, bearing in mind that the ladder to success is never too crowded at the top.” She soon set her sights on a career in communications.
After a stint at Kaieteur News, she chose to further her studies at UG. Jasmine earned credits directing stage plays through “Merundoi” and graduated last year with a degree in Communications.
It was during her pursuit of her newfound love – dramatic arts – that she met the lovely and talented singer, songwriter and actress, Charmaine Blackman whom she calls her “second mom.” They worked together in the play Berbice Uprising written and directed by Ras Leon Saul. Charmaine played the character of Mama Nana, the mother of Nefeteri (played by Jasmine) who was the daughter of Kofi Badu. A bond was quickly created between them and Charmaine would play matchmaker by introducing the actress to her current boyfriend Quincy Lacon known as Ego. She acted as his girlfriend in his video “Bedroom Blast” little knowing that it’d soon become a reality.
Jasmine was soon caught up in a whirl of plays, movies and videos. Apart from her award-winning role in Guilty Pleasure, which was written by Nicole Moonsammy and directed by Ayana Waddell, she has taken to the stage in: To Sir with Love-The Guyanese version, written by Mosa Telford and directed by Ron Robinson; A Mid-Summer’s Night Dream directed by Malcolm DeFreitas and Murder with Love directed by Simone Dowding.
Pageantry
Jasmine had always been fond of and fascinated by pageants. “I was a very conservative person but with the reassurance from Quincy and Charmaine I decided to take up the challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone and participating in a pageant,” she said and so she entered the Miss Mashramani pageant at the beginning of this year.
“It was my first pageant. I was in my heels all day modelling. It was crazy; diets, exercises, staying fit and lots of make-up,” Jasmine recalled. But the Mashramani pageant, which she had so anticipated was cancelled due to lack of sponsorship. But soon after, the Miss West Indies franchise holder saw the Miss Mashramani contestants and contacted the franchise holder here in Guyana, Pamela Dillon, as she was interested in a contestant to represent Guyana. The girls submitted their credentials and Jasmine’s impressed the most so she was chosen.
Since the Miss West Indies pageant was to be hosted in St Martin, Jasmine had to acquire a French visa which is impossible to get here in Guyana. She travelled to Suriname where she was able to obtain a visa. A Jasmine Benefit Concert was then held at the Midtown Chariot on Robb Street, sponsored by Ssignal Productions which assisted with her stay in St Martin.
The pageant required participation in Introduction, Talent, National Costume, Swimsuit, Evening Gown and Question and Answer categories. Jasmine’s evening gown, costume and swimwear were all designed by the talented Randy Madray. Though she didn’t place, she is honoured to have had the opportunity to represent Guyana.
“Being my first pageant, it was nerve-racking for me but the exposure was great as well as getting to meet the other contestants,” said Jasmine. “We would chat every now and then. I have gained a boost of confidence and I’ve learnt to be ladylike and assertive.”
Since then, Jasmine has competed in the Miss Global International Guyana pageant, which was won by Alicia Bess.
For two years Jasmine has assisted with the hosting of a children’s Christmas concert in collaboration with the Volunteer Youth Corps, a non-governmental organisation that helps less fortunate children and children at risk. It provides courses that teach youth life skills such as: sewing, cooking and construction.
In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys reading, writing poetry and short stories, cooking, travelling, singing and listening to music, dancing and spending time with her family and friends.
She is determined to make her future a bright one and in another 5 – 10 years sees herself as a successful established actress/model and television host, having changed and inspired the lives of youths helping them to empower themselves. She also wishes to have a family of her own.
She concluded the interview by acknowledging Ssignal Productions, Alma and Stanley Thomas, Amanda’s Bridal and Costume, Jai Signs and Designs, Pamela Dillon, Randy Madray, Steven Validum (make-up artist), Clinton Duncan (stylist and make-up artist), Ronald Nandlall (photographer), Dr Sen Gupta, best friends Jenese Khan and Charisma Khouri, family and friends especially Charmaine Blackman, boyfriend Quincy Lacon and mother, Maylene Wong for their hard work and tremendous support.
