Femme Power Suzana Pires is a popular name in the Brazilian film industry. Having a repertoire that ranges from comedy to drama, Suzana’s talent speaks for itself. Progressing from an actor to a writer, to an entrepreneur, she is living testament that women can do multiple things at the same time, and look damn good doing it too! Her new book ‘Unleashed’ is set to release on August 19th, a handbook for all those women trying to find their way in this world. This telenovela super star is all the power! Read this exclusive interiew with Jejune Magazine to learn more about her life, Dona De Si, and ‘Unleashed’.

Where are you based?
In Los Angeles.

You are very involved with the arts as an actress and writer. What inspired you to get into these two paths? Do you feel more drawn to one of these these days?
Being an actress came first. The writer was born because I have stories to tell. So, I went to study in order to be a professional writer while I was an actress. Being an actress is my most experienced profession, which helps my ability to write a lot.

You are the most notable actress in the Brazilian film industry! Have you faced any challenges being in this industry? How is the Brazilian industry similar/ different to the US one?
For sure. Ten years ago, I had to fight a lot to grow as a lead actress who is also a head writer. I’ve never quit. Now, my life in Brazil's industry is better. I've proven myself with the numbers for my movies, series and telenovelas. The industry in Brazil is different in that we still need state laws to get money to produce an independent movie. We don't have an industry yet. We have less money to produce. We need to compete with big American movies. It is hard, but we are growing. The similarities are: we have American companies increasing our production. We have amazing professionals, and we have a big audience as well. We are one of the biggest markets in the world and I respect that.

You have done a range of different shows and films. Do you have a favorite genre?
Artistically, I was born in the comedy field, but drama is where I matured. For the future, I would love to do something tragic like the Narcos series or Succession. I admire that kind of tone.

You have done 15 telenovelas! Yes! I loved each one of them. The US doesn’t have these as much. Can you tell us why you think they are so much fun?
Telenovela is a melodrama genre, which is the Latino audience´s favorite. That's why telenovelas from Brazil and Mexico, (even from Turkey and China) have huge success on Netflix. In Brazil, specifically, it is the most popular form of entertainment because we screen our season in 200 episodes! OMG! The US mixes between melodrama and a series narrative very well. This is the expansion that I am going for (working abroad).

You are about to release your new book ‘Unleashed’ on August 19th, how exciting! Can you tell us more about the book and its inspiration?
YES! I would like to invite you and your readers to be there with me. Saturday, August 19th at 6pm at Barnes and Noble at The Grove in LA. And it’s a pleasure to talk about this book. UNLEASHED is a book that doesn't tell you what to do with your life but that you are alive. UNLEASHED is a wakeup call. It's for women that want to find their own path. I wrote about my professional journey crossed with the UNLEASHED method to empower women with methods from my Dona De Si institution. So, you will find an honest story, but also exercises to help you “unleash” yourself.

What do you hope your readers get from ‘Unleashed’?
I hope the readers get the freedom to choose their path as they decide.

‘Unleashed’ was inspired from your success with your organization ‘Dona De Si’. Can you tell us all about ‘Dona De Si’ and what inspired you to create it?
In 2017, I reached a very powerful spot in my career, but I had to deal with a lot of bullying and emotional abuse. So, I said yes when Marie Claire´s Brazil editor called me to have a weekly column there. I started to write about how difficult it is for a woman to build her own life on her own terms. I called the column DONA DE SI and it became a hit (I wrote for six years, 2 years at Marie Claire, 2 at Vogue, and 2 at Forbes). Every week my readers emailed me complaining about how exhausted they were of all the glass ceilings and bullying that we need to deal with every day at work. We are ambitious women, but, apparently, we are not allowed to be that way. One night I woke up and designed the whole institute in my head. To make the first investment I sold 12 Chanel bags that I had. With this money I hired an amazing team of powerful women and we created DONA DE SI, an entrepreneurship education that takes eight months. The difference between our DONA DE SI journey and another entrepreneurship education is that everything is for women and their reality. Now, five years later we have empowered more than 5,000 women on our platform.

‘Dona De Si’ is for more than actresses. It is all about empowering women in the economy all over! Can you tell us how you use ‘Dona De Si’ to help women?
The INSTITUTE is inside the MORRO DOS PRAZERES neighborhood, in Rio. We also have facilities in Porto Alegre and Salvador. Those women are extremely talented but they didn't have opportunities. Now, they have the opportunity and it’s time to grow! An average of 35% of women had their profits boosted by 25% after one year with the INSTITUTE. 43% formed their own business. When you have strong self-esteem, you put more money in your pocket. Money with purpose; that’s how a woman manages her journey to success. It is beautiful.

Do you have any favorite success stories from helping women through ‘Dona De Si’ that you would like to share?
Yes! I am so proud of all of them, but Janice Delfim is a special case. Janice was an extremely talented leader in her community, but she didn't believe in herself. She lost her mother when she was young and had to take care of her sisters. And she lives in a vulnerable area that is super violent. After her Dona De Si boost, she became our local manager! She started as an assistant and four years now she is a leader! Another one is Semirames Santana, who is now a talented clothing designer, but two years ago it was only a dream. She was living with low self-esteem, but after working with Dona De Si in our Fashion Lab, she now has a studio and works for international brands in Brazil.

What are your thoughts on sexism in the film industry, economy, and in general in Brazil? The world?
In Brazil, after the MeToo Movement, a lot of things got better for us, but just a little better. We came from zero women in creative and technical teams to 20% of us working and 7% as heads. Now, we need to face another step: double these numbers. When it comes to the world, it is similar. We had a fight for minimum respect, now we need to fight for equality.

What advice would you give upcoming actresses and female entrepreneurs?
First, please, be absolutely honest with you, after that be more honest, and then be even more honest! Follow your honesty about where your talents lie, what you believe as values, and take care of your mental health. It is not easy, but it is fun! Being honest with yourself will turn you on!

Where do you see ‘Dona De Si’ in a few years? Where would you like it to go/ what would you like to achieve?
I would love to bring DONA DE SI facilities to America, and my book is the start. Let's go together!

What is your motto in life?
New challenges.

It has been a rough few years, how have you been staying positive during these times?
Being honest with my emotions. When I am sad, I don't pretend to be happy but I keep myself in action. That's what saved me in terrible times. While I started the institute, I was facing depression and general anxiety, taking two prescription medications to make me better on a daily basis. When I did something to take care of others, the universe took care of me. My loneliness ended.

To learn more about Suzana Pires, please follow her Instagrams below:
@suzipires
@institutodonadesi
@unleashedfoundation

Team Credits:
Photographer: Ben Cope
Stylist: Anna Schilling
Hair/Makeup: Olaf Derlig

Suzana Pires is a Femme Fatale