Pulp Features

Janaya Stephens is not a household name, but there’s just something about her that makes her captivating. Maybe it’s the stunning resemblance to Marie Osmond (more on this later), maybe not. In any case, I would like the opportunity to introduce visitors to this site to this interesting Canadian actress, who will hopefully have a long and fruitful career.

Janaya Stephens was born in London, Ontario, Canada and loved playing soccer as she grew up. This would lead to a strange quirk of fate which dropped her into the acting realm and her present position.

When she went to the university, the school had no soccer team, so she signed up for women’s basketball. While she had talent, she was not afforded much play time due to the fact the rest of the girls on her team were there by scholarship and really knew the game. The coach suggested she look at some other avenues besides basketball and thus, she entered the acting field. Trying out for the school play, she won the lead in Romeo and Juliet. A new career was born.

Janaya appeared in several commercials, including endorsements for Hyundai, Lava Life and other products. She also won parts in some TV roles and in Cruel Intentions II, which gained her some ground in the industry.

Due to her aforementioned resemblance to Marie Osmond, she was placed in the lead role as Marie in the movie, inside The Osmonds, a somewhat unflattering look into the life of this All-American family and their wholesome, well-groomed image. The role won her much acclaim.

It has been through Cloud Ten Pictures and their “Left Behind” series that Janaya has really made attention. Playing Chloe, a character caught in a world more or less ruled by the devil (I am not going to discuss the scenario in detail here and instead suggest you read the book of revelation or the “Left Behind” series of books - written by Jenkins and Lahaye – on which the movies are based). “Left Behind”, the Movie and “Tribulation Force” are two in what is to be a lengthy series of feature films, both of which saw her in the same starring role. In March of 2003, production is to begin on a television series, also titled “Left Behind”. In this, Janaya and a group of militants for God, form their own group of militiamen and militiawomen to fight the Anti-Christ, a nasty snake of a man, played with repulsive enthusiasm by longstanding character actor, Gordon Currie (now finding major roles in this own right). The series is to be Christian in theme, but also containing elements of horror and suspense, sort of like a West Wing for Christians versus devils. The WWE wrestling promotion should take note.

According to actor Brad Johnson, who plays Janaya’s father in Left behind and tribulation Force, “Janaya’s roughly new to the business. I think she’s been acting for three or four years. It’s great to work with her because she’s still got this innocent energy, and she wants to do a good job. It’s really important to her that she does a good job. She’s very conscientious and on top of being very good, it’s just fun to be around that youth. She’s always wanting to learn something, always wanting a tip here and there, so it’s fun working with her. She’s good.”

After directing “Left Behind”, Bill Corcoran said, “Janaya has been amazing throughout the filming. She’s brought a spark to the film and a kind of wonderful naivety to a young woman who is searching for meaning in her life but is nevertheless taking a leap of faith in exposing her role and her faith to the trials and tribulations of finding herself.”

Clearly, her co-workers are impressed. Not bad for someone who at the start, apparently did not intend to become a film star, but wanted to play soccer instead.

Janaya may also be seen in reruns of the Showtime series, Leap Years and in Relic Hunter, where because of her athletic skills, she was allowed to do a sword fighting scene, which she did herself rather than relying on a multitude of stunt doubles.

It would be nice if there could be more to add about this amiable young actress, but that will have to wait, as her career is just taking off. Time will tell where it goes from here.

Janaya presently lives in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada.

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