Check out our interview with Disney+ Series “Big Shot” Star Tisha Custodio.
Tisha can be seen alongside Hollywood veteran John Stamos premiering today! (April 16th). The series follows a temperamental college basketball coach (Stamos) who gets fired from his job and must take a teaching and coaching job at an elite all-girls private high school. Tisha portrays series regular ‘Carolyn ‘Mouse’ Smith,’ a member of the basketball team, who stands out as the enthusiastic one of the bunch. Hailing from a military family, Carolyn is protective, cooperative, and smart.
Follow Tisha @Tishacustodio
Hi Tisha, please tell us a little about you?
I was born in the Philippines and moved to California when I was three. I was always drawn to anything art related, so I knew I wanted to audition for this arts school, Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). I got in for acting and fell in love with it.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, driven, curious
How did you get started into acting?
I, like probably every Filipino kid, grew up listening to Lea Salonga as the singing voice for Jasmine in Aladdin and watching her audition for Miss Saigon on repeat. The fact that she looked like me made me go “I can do that too!” which is really a testament to how representation in media is crucial. This then inspired me to audition for the acting department at OCSA, and from there got my first agent through their actor’s showcase.
How has this changed your life?
Being on Big Shot has really changed my life in a sense that I have made new friends I would have never met. It also was the reason for me moving to Los Angeles from Orange County.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
The best part is being able to step into another character’s shoes. I always end up learning things from the characters I play since they almost always have a slightly different point of view from me. The worst part, for me at least, is sometimes it’s hard to not overthink a performance
Tell us about your work in the new Disney+ series “Big Shot?”
Big Shot is about a temperamental basketball coach who gets fired from his job and has to teach at an all girls high school to redeem himself. I play Carolyn, or Mouse, who is one of the girls on the high school basketball team.
And about your role as Carolyn ‘Mouse’ Smith?
Mouse comes from a military family and is the most cooperative out of the girls when coach Korn arrives at Westbrook. Throughout the season, we start to see her really coming into her own as a person and as a player.
How was working alongside such a talented cast including Hollywood veteran actor John Stamos?
The whole cast was incredible to work with. I learned so much from everyone and I really feel like I’ve made lifelong friends from this show. John is amazing as Coach Korn, and I’m excited for everyone to see. He’s also just an incredibly generous person. He takes the time to connect with every single person he works with. I specifically remember us talking about music and him facetiming Gerry from the band America for me after I told him that I grew up listening to their songs.
How do you prepare for a role?
I generally start with finding information about the character given to me in the script, and then filling in the blanks for info that isn’t necessarily stated. I come to set with ideas as to how I’m going to play this scene out, but a big part of acting is being able to be flexible enough to play with what the other actors are giving you or if the director wants a specific line to be said in a completely different way.
What other projects have you been part of?
Big Shot is actually my first big project. Prior to this show, I’ve been in student films and a couple web series.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I’ve always said I’d want to play a Filipino warrior princess. Mainly because I’d love to see a movie about an indigenous Filipina princess. I also think it would be so fun – stunt/film combat wise.
Now on the music side, describe your sound in 3 words?
Folky, Acoustic, story-driven
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
My dad had an acoustic guitar lying around, and 8 year old me just got curious and picked it up from time to time. It actually wasn’t until the start of the pandemic that I really fell in love with music. With all the free time, I picked up the banjo out of boredom, learned music theory, started being really interested in jazz and traditional American folk, and writing my own songs with the encouragement of my guitar teacher.
Do you play any instrument?
I mainly play guitar, but I also play banjo, mandolin, and a little bit of piano
Do you ever get nervous?
Of course. New situations always make me nervous, just because I don’t know what to expect. But I like to think, for the most part, being a little nervous is a sign that an event is worth following through.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
One of the most rewarding parts of my work is watching the finished product after months of hard work. The film industry has a bunch of moving parts and I’m always amazed at how everything comes together at the end.
How would your best friend describe you?
I asked her and she texted back:
– grounded, down to earth, genuine
– intelligent, independent, inspirational, talented !!!
– lively, the best person to throw crazy things at who will throw back that same crazy energy
Also ofc environmentally savvy and fun to run around with and someone who will sit and listen to people’s stories because she is very nice and also has an inner therapist within her
What’s next for Tisha Custodio in 2021?
I’ll mainly be making more time to write music this year!
What is your favorite healthy food?
I love anything with hummus in it.
And your favorite cheat food?
I’m obsessed with this vegan donut place, Donut Friend. They’re so good that my non-vegan friends are shocked when I tell them they’re vegan.
How would you explain your fashion style?
I want to say bohemian eclectic? I wear a lot of floral dresses and denim jackets.
What is your own definition of happiness?
I think it’s whatever makes you completely in the present moment; Something that makes you grateful for all of the events in your life that led you to that moment or person.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Sara Bareilles. I’m convinced her music helped me get through high school. My best friend and I still blast her songs when either of us is having a bad day.
Best advice ever given?
I had an acting teacher that told us we should never underestimate having a “beginner’s mindset.” It really stuck with me and is a really good reminder that humans never stop learning and growing, no matter how successful you get.
Do you support any charity?
Yes. For Senior year, a friend and I directed a production of Sarah Kane’s 4:48 Psychosis at my high school, and all proceeds went to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
Five years from now, I’d love to see myself in movies, starting a production company, and writing music with the up and coming artists I look up to right now like Adam Melchor and Madison Cunningham.
Favorite song? Why?
My favorite song right now is Indiana by Adrianne Lenker. The guitar part is really fun to play and I love songs that have a story you can follow while it still being catchy.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media is great in small doses. It’s a really convenient way to stay connected with your friends no matter how far away you live from each other. On the other hand, it can be really easy to compare yourself to other people – especially if you’re just mindlessly scrolling. I ended up setting a social media timer on my phone because of that.
Where we can follow you?
My Instagram is: @Tishacustodio
Book: The Seagull by Anton Chekhov
Quote:
“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.” – From Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
Movie: It’s a tie between Whiplash and Cinema Paradiso
Tv Series: This Is Us
Favorite Food: Jackfruit Burrito
Travel Destination: Italy
Sports Team: Lakers
Photo Credit: Ryan West Photo
