Shared success: wisdom from renowned artists

Whether in life or in your career, success can’t come without support from others – be it family, trusted mentors or experts offering valuable guidance. Earlier this year, we met some leading figures from the arts and entertainment world to hear how advice has played its part in their journeys.

Here are some of the highlights of what they shared with us…

David Harewood MBE 

David has had a distinguished career across film, TV and theatre, spanning more than 30 years. His credits include Homeland, The Night Manager and Blood Diamond. In 2024, he became president of RADA, the first Black person to serve in the position.

“About five weeks before I was going to leave school, my teacher phoned and asked me to come in. He said to me: ‘What are you going to do when you leave?’ I was 15. I said, ‘I don’t know, sir.’ And he said, ‘Well, we’ve been talking in the staff room, and we think you should be an actor.’

“It was a eureka moment. I had no idea that was what I could do. There were very few Black actors when I was growing up. But it gripped me, and I thought to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ I auditioned for the National Youth Theatre, was accepted, and when 
I met all these other actors, I suddenly thought, ‘That’s my tribe.’”

Asha Banks

Since her debut at the age of seven in Les Misérables in the West End, Asha has starred in stage productions including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Annie. Her screen roles have included A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and My Fault: London.

“My parents aren’t in the industry at all. I just went to this audition [for Les Misérables]; my mum and my grandma came up to London with me, and I managed to get the part, which was unbelievable.

“When I look back now, it would have been impossible for me to do any of the shows that I did as a kid without my parents being able to accommodate it. They had to get on the train every day, take me up to London, then sit in a café and wait for me, and pick me up after the show. Obviously, as a kid, you don’t appreciate it as much. Now, I feel very lucky to have parents who were able to help me do that.”

Ashley Roberts 

Ashley is an American singer, dancer and TV personality, best known as a member of The Pussycat Dolls. After global success with the group, she built a solo career in the UK, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and presenting on Heart Radio.

“I started dance when I was about three – a little half-tap, half-ballet class. And then it grew from there – dance became my passion and my escape. My ballet teacher said to me: ‘If you don’t show up on time, door closed: you ain’t getting in.’ That has stuck with me to this day.”

Oti Mabuse

Oti is a South African dancer, choreographer and TV personality, best known for her work on Strictly Come Dancing. Trained in Latin and ballroom, she has also judged on Dancing on Ice and The Masked Dancer.

“We did a lot of dance camps where we’d [learn about how to take care of our] mental health. Because it’s tough to grow up in a world where you’re weighed when you do shows and your dress has to look a certain way.

“It was making sure that, as teenagers, we understood that we’re going to go through this. But we always had someone with us. I had two incredible coaches, Lorcia Cooper and Rafiq Hussain. Their philosophy was that everything starts from inside and will be reflected outwards.

“So, I did those camps from the age of 16 to 20, when I moved to Germany. Even today, when I’m sad, they say: ‘Have you spoken to someone?’ I see them every year; they’re still very much involved.”

Four pieces of invaluable advice

1. Failure is a great teacher
   “We fail, but we learn. You learn so much from failing – and I've only learned that later in life. Now, when I fail at something, I say, ‘You know what? I had a good time, and I learned something.’” 
   Oti Mabuse
    
2. Be open to opportunities 
   “I started presenting by being on the road with The Pussycat Dolls. There were fans who would stay outside, and I started interviewing them. I edited it together, and I just put it out on the social media I was using at that time. Someone from MTV hit me up and asked if I wanted to host some shows. So, follow stuff that you love and enjoy, but also stay open and stay curious – that’s the advice I would give.” 
   Ashley Roberts
    
3. Keep your feet on the ground 
   “When things are being blown out of proportion, my mum always says: ‘Life’s not over; no one’s dead.’ I try and keep that with me. In the career we’re in, it’s easy to dramatise things. But remembering where we are and putting things into perspective has been really helpful.” 
   Asha Banks
    
4. Keep on learning 
   “When I got Homeland, I hadn’t worked for almost nine months. It was probably the worst time of my career. When I first arrived in America, I would go to the set, and I would sit in the corner and watch [actors] Mandy Patinkin and Claire Danes. I just watched them work. I learned so much in that period. I always say to other actors: ‘Get out of your trailer and watch what people are doing, particularly if you’re working with great people.’ You can learn so much from others in this profession.”
   David Harewood

Why we love what they had to say

David, Ashley, Asha and Oti’s experiences and wise counsel all highlight the value of great advice. They explain how the support of others has been pivotal in their successes – providing opportunities, giving perspective and helping them learn.

This is why we believe that, whatever your aims in life, advice from a trusted expert can prove to be invaluable – especially when it comes to planning your finances for the future you want. A financial adviser can offer deep knowledge, a clear assessment of your circumstances and reliable support to keep you on track to reach your goals.

Build a brighter future

To benefit from the invaluable advice a financial adviser can give, get in touch today. 

You can find out more about SJP’s sponsorship of Sky Arts and watch the conversations between David, Asha, Ashley and Oti in full here.