Zaiesha Joseph
- Producer
- Actress
- Writer
Zaiesha Joseph is a filmmaker, actress, and writer whose body of work is deeply rooted in truth, cultural identity, and emotional resilience. Born and raised in the small Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Zaiesha grew up with limited access to electricity, let alone professional training in the performing arts. But even in scarcity, her imagination thrived. She vividly recalls watching bootleg DVDs and seeing herself on the screen, not as a dream, but as an inevitability.
From an early age, Zaiesha was performing impromptu monologues before classrooms and school assemblies, affirming to anyone who would listen that she would one day become a professional actress. Despite the doubts of others, her belief in herself never wavered. "I've always loved acting," she says. "Even before I fully understood what it meant."
Raised by a single mother after the death of her father in 2007, Zaiesha is the seventh of nine siblings in a household that often knew hunger and hardship. Her mother, a resourceful artisan, supported the family by crocheting goods for tourists passing down not just survival skills, but also creativity, grit, and pride. These lived experiences shaped Zaiesha's storytelling voice: raw, human, and unfiltered.
Lacking formal training options in her homeland, Zaiesha studied English and Literature in school, any subjects that could bring her closer to acting. In 2019, she was awarded a scholarship by the Liamigua Education Foundation and relocated to New York, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting for Film from the New York Film Academy.
However, the industry was slow to make space for her. Repeatedly asked to change her accent, Zaiesha came to a hard truth: there were few roles for Caribbean actors that honored their authenticity. Rather than conform, she created. Writing led to producing, which led to founding Zaiesha Joseph Studios, where she has written, produced, and starred in her own films, often funding them through tips earned waiting tables in New York City.
To date, she has produced three feature films, two of which are streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Google Play. Her most recent work, Pot vs. Kettle, continues her mission: to tell stories that are honest, resonant, and globally relevant.
Zaiesha's life and work stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and purpose. "My goal is to show that no matter where you come from, your truth is your power-and it deserves to be seen."
From an early age, Zaiesha was performing impromptu monologues before classrooms and school assemblies, affirming to anyone who would listen that she would one day become a professional actress. Despite the doubts of others, her belief in herself never wavered. "I've always loved acting," she says. "Even before I fully understood what it meant."
Raised by a single mother after the death of her father in 2007, Zaiesha is the seventh of nine siblings in a household that often knew hunger and hardship. Her mother, a resourceful artisan, supported the family by crocheting goods for tourists passing down not just survival skills, but also creativity, grit, and pride. These lived experiences shaped Zaiesha's storytelling voice: raw, human, and unfiltered.
Lacking formal training options in her homeland, Zaiesha studied English and Literature in school, any subjects that could bring her closer to acting. In 2019, she was awarded a scholarship by the Liamigua Education Foundation and relocated to New York, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting for Film from the New York Film Academy.
However, the industry was slow to make space for her. Repeatedly asked to change her accent, Zaiesha came to a hard truth: there were few roles for Caribbean actors that honored their authenticity. Rather than conform, she created. Writing led to producing, which led to founding Zaiesha Joseph Studios, where she has written, produced, and starred in her own films, often funding them through tips earned waiting tables in New York City.
To date, she has produced three feature films, two of which are streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Google Play. Her most recent work, Pot vs. Kettle, continues her mission: to tell stories that are honest, resonant, and globally relevant.
Zaiesha's life and work stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and purpose. "My goal is to show that no matter where you come from, your truth is your power-and it deserves to be seen."
