The youngest of five siblings, Diana Gaitirira was born in New York but moved with her family to Florida when she was a pre-teen. Then, it was Maryland for college and cactus-friendly, stucco architecture-filled New Mexico, following graduation. Gaitirira plays Tammy Fraser on the breakout show “The Night Shift” on NBC. One of her next projects is Hate from A Distance, a short that has the Civil Rights Movement as its backdrop. She’s also had roles in the films Not On Board, and Terrible Angels.
The daughter of Haitian parents, Gaitirira is the CEO of her own film production company Cheza Jouer Films. Its first production is Sandals Worn Backwards, a documentary about Kenya’s history.
K. St. Fort: Were you the type of kid who did monologues when you were home alone?
I was always performing for my family and friends…singing—even though I have a horrible voice—and dancing. From pretending to be Michael Jackson to mimicking actors I saw on television.
K. St. Fort: Were you in any theater or stage plays in high school or in college? If so, how did that go?
I did a few performances at my local church and school and I loved it but I never thought I would participate in acting at this level or pursue acting as a career.
K. St. Fort: What’s the best thing about being an actress?
I get to portray a variety of characters and create my own back-story for each role I play.
K. St. Fort: You recently made the transition from a chemically-straightened style to a natural style. When you first made the transition, what are some challenges that you had to face?
This is actually my second attempt at being natural. I did the “Big Chop” around 8 or 9 years ago and had no clue on how to take of my hair. The most frustrating part was finding and using the right products. Hair companies weren’t accommodating back then as they are now, so I was at a loss. However, I took the plunge again around 2 1/2 years ago and I am really enjoying my decision.
K. St. Fort: What have you learned from taking care of your hair that you’d like to pass to others who are considering doing the same, or who have already made the transition?
I think it’s important to know your curl pattern and type—low porosity vs high porosity—in order to know which products and routine will help you manage your hair.
K. St. Fort: What’s it like being on the show “The Night Shift”?
Although the hours were long, it felt like a dream! It was ironic we actually filmed during the graveyard shift/night shift hours.
K. St. Fort: When you first auditioned, were you nervous? Did you think you would cop the role?
Yes! I like to take deep breaths and try to stretch out my jaw muscles before I enter the room. I didn’t think I got the role at the time of my audition. Because I’m fluent in American Sign Language, I tend to pick up on a lot of facial expressions and non-verbal cues, from others, but this skill is wasted in auditioning rooms. Most directors audition people for several hours until the point of exhaustion so usually when I enter the room, I most often get cold expressionless stares.
K. St. Fort: You were always on the thespian track, or have you explored or considered other careers prior?
I have only started pursing acting professionally for the last 7 years. Before then, I originally wanted to go into sports medicine, but fell in love with Deaf Culture and American Sign Language and strayed off into the interpreting track.
K. St. Fort: Do you ever wonder about the roads not taken?
No. I only do things that I am passionate about and I have no regrets.
K. St. Fort: Do you visit Haiti often?
Unfortunately, I have never been to Haiti but plan to go. I would love to go and volunteer with the Deaf community in Haiti. I know they use a derivative of American Sign Language and I would definitely be able to pick up their dialect with some time and exposure.
K. St. Fort: That’s an awesome plan!…If the Oxford people were putting a dictionary together, and they came up to Diana Gaitirira to ask for her input on what the definition should be…what would you answer?
Beauty means different things to each of us but for me, it’s the things that I see that take my breath away. It’s the wrinkles around the eyes of an elderly woman whose seen so much of life and is forgotten. It’s the toothless grin of a mischievous toddler that’s giggling at the funny faces I’m making. It’s the sun coming out after it’s rained all day. Beauty is in all of these things for me because in those rare, brief moments I realize that simplicity is the most beautiful thing of all.
K. St. Fort: And if Diana Gaitirira was one of the entries in the dictionary?
I like to say that I am an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, but I’m not. I am an open book with an interesting cover that invites you to flip through the pages. I will draw you in from the first few pages, take you on an emotional roller coaster, then leave you breathless at the end of my story.
K. St. Fort: Ooh, ah! What’s it really like in Hollywood?
The entertainment industry is difficult, unfair, and competitive. It is also fun, exciting, and beautiful–as is everything in life.
K. St. Fort: Do you eventually want to explore films? Or do you see yourself doing mostly television?
I have already done some independent films and I enjoy doing both television and film. My goal would be to get a recurring role on a television series.
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