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Joy Osmanski: Inside the Pages

Though her role as an assassin on CW’s Stargirl appears dichotomous to her work as an advocate for racial and social justice, Joy Osmanski onscreen and offscreen is a woman who fights for what she believes in and who she loves. This Korean-American actor has a portfolio of diverse roles, but none as significant as that of wife, mother of three, including an adopted Black son, and agent for change. She is working to shift the representation of Asian-Americans in Hollywood, which she believes can affect change and #StopAsianHate.

Vonna:

Who is Joy Osmanski?

Joy:

I am a Korean adoptee raised in the Pacific Northwest; a mother three ways – step, adoptive and birth; a partner with my husband; a cuddler of my dog; a fierce defender of the people I love; an advocate for racial and social justice.

Vonna:

Your career began as a graphic designer with a love for performing arts. Tell us about the defining moment that led your career from owning a graphic design company to being a theatre, film and television actress?

Joy:

My Aha! moment was more of a prolonged Ohhhhhhhh. My work as a graphic designer was creative, but sedentary. After so much time sitting in front of a computer, I began to daydream about what it was that I missed. I realized that all the dance performances I had done filled me with joy because of the process, the collaboration with so many others toward a creative goal. But dance wasn’t my world. I remember stumbling across a posting for auditions for a community theatre production of Our Town. And I thought — what the heck? I literally have nothing to lose. I cobbled together a monologue, showed up, shared it on this tiny stage, and ended up playing Emily. That was it. Hooked.

Vonna:

You star as Paula Brooks, aka Tigress, in CW’s Stargirl. Tell us about your character, Tigress.

Joy:

Tigress is someone who takes action. She doesn’t spend much time considering. She wants to solve the problem, and usually does that with violence. Let me be clear: I do not condone this method! If I show my kids clips of Tigress fighting, I always say, “Don’t do what Mama is doing! This is all pretend!” But to play a character like this is so cathartic, I must admit.

Vonna:

What drew you to Tigress?

Joy:

Tigress is such a wonderful character, and certainly came as a complete surprise to me. I have never experienced playing a role even remotely like this before, so all the new challenges, the new language of stunts, the glee of playing a dual character, and one that is so without conscience…it’s so much fun. Also — fundamentally, everything she does is driven by her love for her family. That I relate to easily.

I didn’t know that it would become so iconic. I don’t think anybody did, honestly.

Vonna:

Tigress is willing to do what it takes to protect her family. How is the character’s role as a mother reflective of your real life role as a mother?

Joy:

I think most mothers would tell you the “mama bear” trope is actually pretty literal. There is a deep, primitive instinct to protect your family. There are so many ways your senses become heightened when you parent — I swear I can hear things on a subsonic level, and possibly see through walls. Neil (Hopkins, Sportsmaster) and I both have young children, and we’ve been amused when fans express their love for Tigress and Sportsmaster as parents, but we also kind of blanch at the thought of our characters being held up as model caretakers. And yet — would I do anything for my family? Absolutely.

Subscribe to CEOMOM Magazine to read Joy’s full interview.

Photo Credit: Sarah Ford Photography

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