Discover the fascinating journey of Day Mesquita, the talented Brazilian actress and presenter, from dance to stardom in soap operas, theatre, and cinema.
Dayenne Proença Mesquita, known as Day Mesquita, is a renowned Brazilian actress and presenter whose path in the entertainment world has been nothing short of remarkable. Born on September 23, 1985, in Telêmaco Borba, Brazil, Day has traversed an exciting journey from her early days in dance to her stellar career in soap operas, theatre, and film.
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Day Mesquita initiated her artistic journey at a young age, immersing herself in the world of dance. At seven years old, she embarked on her ballet and jazz training, eventually turning into a professional dancer by the age of 15. Dance served as her initial encounter with the stage, as Day explains, “I started with classical ballet and jazz when I was seven years old, so dancing was my first contact with the stage. It was dance that opened doors for me to act, as my first TV commercial required dance skills, and my first role in a soap opera was that of a dancer.”
In 2007, Day Mesquita made her debut in soap operas with ‘Dance, Dance, Dance,’ where she portrayed the character Amanda. Day shares her thoughts on this pivotal experience, “Amanda was a very special character for me, as it marked my first major role and intertwined dance, a universe I was already familiar with and deeply loved. It was a wonderful experience because a first job involves many new elements, expectations, and fears. Regarding the experience, it was intense but immensely joyful, particularly because it merged dance and acting, two passions of mine.”
In 2012, Day Mesquita took a significant step in her career by joining the cast of Globo, one of Brazil’s leading television networks. Her role as Stela in ‘Cheias de Charme’ marked a turning point in her career. Day describes the transition, saying, “I had just relocated to Rio de Janeiro when I received the invitation to join the soap opera. I had been living in São Paulo and decided to spend some time in Rio de Janeiro to explore new job opportunities. The invitation to ‘Cheias de Charme’ arrived shortly after my move to Rio. It felt like a confirmation that my decision was positive, and that I was being warmly embraced by the city.”
In 2018, Day Mesquita made her debut in cinema with ‘Nada a Perder.’ The transition to film provided her with distinct opportunities for character development and storytelling. She expresses her enthusiasm for this cinematic experience, sharing, “In movies, we have more preparation time, and we film fewer scenes per day. This allows for a deeper exploration of scenes, the narrative, and character development before the director calls ‘action.’ Working on the movie ‘Nada a Perder’ was an incredible experience, alongside a team of renowned Brazilian cinema professionals. We traveled to Israel and South Africa for the shoot, making it a remarkable and unforgettable experience. Filming a movie abroad and subsequently premiering it in 80 countries filled me with immense joy.”
Day Mesquita portrayed Poderosa in ‘Amor Sem Igual,’ a role that earned her the Contigo Award for Best Actress in 2020. Her preparation for the character involved acrobatic cloth classes, as Poderosa aspired to work in a cabaret with acrobatic performances. Day shares her love for this character, stating, “Poderosa brought me immense joy right from the beginning. It was a character I cherished playing, and I had a great deal of fun with her. Winning the Contigo Award for Best Actress, alongside actresses I greatly admire, brought even more happiness at the end of this project. Receiving this award was truly wonderful. I am deeply grateful for all the experiences and achievements this character has brought me.”
Day Mesquita’s international work experience has enriched her as a professional and as an individual. She shares her perspective on these international endeavors, saying, “Having the opportunity to film in countries beyond Brazil and to witness some of my work premiere internationally has been highly gratifying. Each experience in the projects I undertook contributed to my professional growth and personal development. Collaborating with international professionals and seeing our work exhibited and acknowledged outside of Brazil has been a rich exchange of knowledge and learning.”
Day Mesquita provides insights into her role in the miniseries ‘Tudo de Bom’: “I had worked with the director of the series, Ajax Camacho, on several occasions. When he began working on ‘Tudo de Bom,’ he reached out and invited me to portray the character Simone Mantovani. She is a former vedette who commences the plot by seeking a divorce from Tony Mantovani, the series’ protagonist. We filmed for approximately a month, and the story unfolds in the mid-1980s. This marked my first time portraying a character from that era, which was particularly interesting since I was born in 1985 and have vivid memories of the fashion and accessories from that period. The streaming platform where it will be available is yet to be determined, but I hope to share it with the audience soon!”
Day Mesquita discusses her participation in the series ‘How To Be a Carioca’: “The series narrates distinct stories in each episode, and I feature in episode 5, ‘Angola,’ as the character Ana. Together with her husband, she welcomes the family of the series’ protagonists when they arrive in Brazil to work at the same company as her husband. The series is directed by Carlos Saldanha, an Oscar nominee for ‘Ice Age,’ alongside Joana Mariani and René Sampaio, and it premiered on October 18, available on Star+.”
Finally, Day Mesquita shares her future plans in the realm of acting, stating, “As of now, I can only disclose details about these two series. There are promising prospects on the horizon, but I’m not at liberty to reveal them at this time. My aspiration is to return to the daily routine on sets as soon as possible; I already miss the excitement. In the near future, I aim to engage in projects that nourish me, featuring characters that challenge me and foster my personal and professional growth.”
