For as long as she could talk, Shayla has been singing. She started in choirs at the age of six, then branched out into private lessons and then eventually, to musical theater. For just as long, Shayla has been acting and performing. Taking as many dramatic opportunities at her school and around the community as she can. Shayla‘s on stage debut was at the Kings Wharf Theatre, in Drayton Entertainment’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She immediately fell in love with the artform, and developed a passion to continue with it. Her most recent theatre credit was as Alana in her Schools production of the little mermaid, the musical.
Shayla made her film and television debut in the second season of the Apple TV original series, See. This experience was life-changing for Shayla. As she worked along side prominent actors, such as Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard, she began to feel empowered in what she was doing, no longer an outsider, but on equal ground with everyone else, blindness and all. She started to feel like this was what she was being called to do. Creating art, not limiting herself in any way, shape or form. She refuses to put herself in a box, and craves versatility. Shayla is also an advocate for authentic representation of visually impaired people in film and TV. She speaks out for better representation of the blind and visually impaired, as up until recently, it has been inadequate. This resolve to speak out for change, and passion to do things that some people might think of as beyond her abilities set her apart. Shayla is pushing the bounds of what is expected, and with a fierce determination, will be a force to be reckoned with as she grows and refines her skills.