Ayra Starr – My Acting Debut Made Me Respect Actors More

Ayra Starr shared that stepping into the world of acting was a completely new challenge for her.

In the interview with CBS, she admitted that working on Children of Blood and Bone required strict discipline, especially with time management—something she doesn’t typically face in the music industry.

She noted that the demands of acting pushed her out of her comfort zone and deepened her admiration for actors, saying the experience gave her a whole new level of respect for their craft.

She said, “It [Children of Blood and Bone] is my first movie ever. You know, I’m used to being a singer and diva on set, but this one with the movie is like, it’s not about you. You’ve to be on set on time. So, it made me get used to military time and working hard. I respect actors so much more now. Their stamina is impeccable.

“Acting is something I have always wanted to do. I love music, but I’ve always loved acting. I’ve always been shy when it comes t9 acting. But this is the first time in my life that I’ve been on camera and I’m not singing. It was amazing. I learned so much from everyone, not just the greats.”

The film is based on the bestselling novel Children of Blood and Bone by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi.

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the movie features a star-studded cast including Damson Idris, Tosin Cole, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, and Thuso Mbedu.

Children of Blood and Bone is set to hit theaters on January 15, 2027, with Paramount Pictures handling the release.