Daniela Ruah, renowned for portraying Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles, grappled with insecurities when she first embarked on her acting journey over two decades ago. Despite her initial fear of potential dismissal, she secured her national television breakthrough in 2009 when she joined NCIS: Los Angeles as Agent Kensi Blye. Prior to her role on the CBS cop drama, she predominantly worked in Portuguese television, notably starring as Sara in the soap opera Jardins Proibidos for a year.
While reflecting on her experiences in Portuguese soap operas during The Wayne Ayers Podcast, Ruah opened up about the challenges she faced. She emphasized the difficulty in the beginning and the pressure to say yes to everything as a newcomer in the industry. She shared valuable advice for aspiring actors, highlighting the importance of being agreeable yet firm on certain issues.
Ruah stressed the significance of basic professionalism, such as punctuality, but also underscored the necessity of setting boundaries. She encouraged actors to prioritize their well-being and not hesitate to decline requests that could negatively impact their health or performance.
Discussing the demanding nature of the industry, Ruah acknowledged that while it’s common for professionals to ask for various commitments, individuals must discern what they are comfortable with and what might have long-term repercussions.
Although NCIS: Los Angeles concluded its 14-season run earlier this year, Ruah remains active in her career. She recently appeared as Fatima in the Netflix Portuguese series Turn of the Tide, showcasing her versatility beyond the familiar NCIS setting.