Caribdomain Interview Profile for Jacinth Headlam
Striking young detective Simone William goes deep undercover to bring down New York’s most dangerous Jamaican drug lord. Along the way, the bold, yet cunning heroine must avoid the pitfalls of an intoxicating romance to execute her seemingly impossible mission. The gifted actress responsible for bringing this complex character to life in the feature film Diary of a Badman is Jamaican-born Jacinth Sutphin. With talents that also extend to producing, theater, modeling, and dance, Sutphin is definitely someone to watch in the entertainment industry.
Photo courtesy of Jacinth Sutphin
Jacinth was born in St. Mary, Jamaica and was raised there by her grandmother until she moved to Brooklyn, NY, at the age of twelve. She knew she wanted to be a star when she was just five years old. The actress remembers acting out scenes with her dolls and stuffed animals as a child. In her early teens, Jacinth began showcasing her gifts in the church – acting in plays, singing in the choir, and performing with the dance and sign language ministries as often as possible. At 17, Headlam started working as a professional model, appearing in a number of hair magazines and other print ads.
She also walked the runway for both local and international designers, showcasing urban looks, swimwear, and high fashion. In college, Jacinth decided to further explore her passion for the arts by taking courses in theater. After graduating she began to perform in her community and regional theater until she shifted her focus to film and television. -She was nominated for Best leading Actress in the Philadelphia Independent Film Awards for her role in Diary of a Badman. *The film itself, which she produced, was also nominated for Best Picture, best supporting actor (Michael Thor Love), best leading actor (Douglas Robbs), and won the best director (Diemiruaya Deniran).
Photo courtesy of Jacinth Sutphin
Jacinth Sutphin’s work has also been gaining admiration with mainstream audiences due in part to their popularity at festivals. Recently, Diary of a Badman was screened in Jamaica Film Festival ,the UK at The Ritzty Theater in London, The Chicago Caribbean Film Festival, the Houston Caribbean film festival, NYC 42nd street AMC theater, and had a theatrical release in both Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island, where a meet and greet with the lead actress was the headline event. At the Chicago Caribbean film festival, Sutphin also debuted her new movie, The1Closest2U receiving high praises.
Jacinth’s enthusiastic reception by her fans, as well as her warm, down-to-earth approach to with them, is just one illustration of how she’s stealing hearts on her rise to fame.
It’s evident from her honest portrayal of Det. Simone William that Sutphin is doing what she loves behind and in front of the camera. She describes four of the many intriguing characters that have manifested in her work, the most dynamic of which is a safe, “good girl” who finds the courage to take risks that normally terrify her. She ultimately finds her wings, however, by embracing the unknown. Jacinth also plays the woman who doesn’t believe that being loved is her birthright, and who is subsequently in a constant battle to prove that she is worthy.
Sutphin finds common ground with many viewers as an emotionally guarded, but soulful leading lady. She’s earthy, tough, and daring, and she holds on to little baggage because she knows she must keep pushing forward. She is cautious about letting people in, but fearless in sharing her love with the ones she chooses to protect.
In some ways, an alter-ego is Jacinth’s self-proclaimed “badass” who will get what she needs by any means necessary. **In these roles she is isolated and suspicious and uses every tool from her broken past to take care of herself, even at the cost of hurting others. Her rage, defensiveness, and relentless need for power and control are so intense because they hide her fragile vulnerability. Her role in Diary of a Badman shows some of these characteristics.
Courtesy of Jacinth Sutphin
Jacinth’s favorite genres are drama, suspense, and thrillers, but she looks forward to crossing over into comedy in the future. Some of her inspiration come from Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, and Angelina Jolie. Voiceless, a feature film in which Sutphin plays a principal role, will be released in theaters Fall 2016. Now a member of SAG-AFTRA, she has three more feature films in pre-production, and she will appear in two upcoming television pilots.
Jacinth also returns to modeling on occasion, as she did on the cover of an early summer edition of DMochelle Fashions Magazine. An editorial piece inside tells the story of the young thespian’s journey to stardom.Jacinth credits her success thus far to being a servant to her God-given purpose. She hopes to use her acting to change lives and mindsets alike, and to evoke thoughts and emotions. She sees TV and movies as powerful platforms for inspiring, motivating, and uplifting people so that they, too, can realize their dreams.
When she’s not working, the actress likes to mentor adolescents and encourage them to reach their goals. She also remains active in the church, ministering through the arts. Having spent her early life in poverty, Jacinth Sutphin is living proof that with determination, perseverance, and faith, even the most unlikely dreams can come true. She wants to be a representation of hope to her homeland of Jamaica, proclaiming, “Follow your dream, believe in yourselves, and don’t ever give up! Walk in your purpose!”.
To follow Jacinth Headlam, go to www.jacinthsutphin.net; Jacinthsut on Facebook®; or @Jacinthsut on Instagram® and Twitter ®.
Author ~ Kristen McMahan