9 questions with: Bjorn Stewart
Bjorn Stewart is an Indigenous Australian from Western Yalanji and Wemba-Wemba. He is an actor, screenwriter and director; hailing from the Western Sydney suburb of Campbelltown and studied Performance Art at the University of Wollongong. With his eclectic style from theatre, Stewart brings a unique perspective from the urban Indigenous experience.
In 2021, Stewart directed All My Friends Are Racist which internationally premiered at Series Mania and won the AACTA award for Best Short Form Comedy. That same year he was given the opportunity to be Taika Waititi's director's attachment for Thor: Love and Thunder.
In 2023, Stewart directed his debut television role on the ABC comedy series Gold Diggers, which gave him a nomination for an ADG award.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Creative Representation
1. What mistake taught you the most?
Not being true to myself didn’t teach me. No, it was more like an arse-kicking. You see for the longest time; I would put peoples’ needs (or what I thought their needs were) before my own. Anyway, I would try to avoid conflict or be a people pleaser - even to people who hurt me. Weird, right? Anyway, even though I see myself as a good person and try to do the right thing, I was essentially lying to myself and others until it got to a point where I had to face my truths or I would never be happy.
“I was essentially lying to myself and others until it got to a point where I had to face my truths or I would never be happy.”
This took a while but with therapy, some self-help books and a few podcasts on attachment theory, I was able to put my needs first. But it wasn’t easy - they don’t tell you when you start living by your truth, people won’t like it. And because you’re actively fighting against your instincts to avoid conflict and people-pleasing, you feel like a real butthole for making people upset. But the thing is, they are allowed to be upset, I can’t control how they react to me. All I could do was be consistent with putting my needs first. And that has led me to meet amazing people and experience some fulfilling moments.
And even though it was a mistake. I can forgive myself for hurting myself and others. Because it was a survival mechanism trying to help me. Unfortunately, it was something I no longer needed.
“they don’t tell you when you start living by your truth, people won’t like it.”
2. Are you satisfied? Why?
Yes and no. But who really is satisfied? I think we stop living if we don’t strive for more. At the moment, I have a lot of positive things in my life. When I look back, that class clown from Campbelltown would be stoked about what I’ve achieved. I’ve been in TV series and films travelled the world, hung out with the Prime Minister, own heaps videogames and have a girlfriend. The 16-year-old me would think I am a god.
“When I look back, that class clown from Campbelltown would be stoked about what I’ve achieved.”
And yet, I still want more. 36-year-old me still has big dreams. Like, I would love to be on Hot Ones eating spicy wings with Sean Evans. Oh, and be a homeowner. Yeah, that would be nice. So, I am satisfied with how far I’ve come but I’ve still got a way to go.
3. What have you changed your mind about?
Ok, strap yourself in for this one, because a lot of people get weird whenever I mention this and I understand why. I had views that I would now consider uneducated and limited but thankfully I’ve changed my mind on them. I believe it’s important to show that with compassion and empathy, we can mature.
“I believe it’s important to show that with compassion and empathy, we can mature.”
So, what did I change my mind on? Well… a long time ago, I was… *clears throat* against same-sex marriage. I know, I know, ol’ leftie Bjornie was a bit conservative back in the day. The reason was that I had strong Christian beliefs. But one day, that all got thrown out the window when I saw my best mate kiss his boyfriend. He was clearly in love and I thought to myself, who am I to get in the way of his happiness if he chose to later express his love through marriage?
That was one moment I changed my mind for the better. It’s funny, cause having that level of empathy is something that Christ would approve of. But there you go. I’m just thankful I have great friends who helped me see the world a lot clearer.
“I’m just thankful I have great friends who helped me see the world a lot clearer.”
4. What act of courage are you most proud of?
During The Voice referendum, my ‘Vote Yes’ sign was cut down in my front yard. So, out of spite, I decided to hand out a whole lot of ‘Vote Yes’ signs around the neighbourhood. I figured if it was one of my neighbours, they would have to meet a real-life Aboriginal, handing them a free sign. Plus, if the whole neighbourhood had ‘Vote Yes’ plastered all over, then hopefully whoever did it, might feel a bit guilty.
“During The Voice referendum, my ‘Vote Yes’ sign was cut down in my front yard. So, out of spite, I decided to hand out a whole lot of ‘Vote Yes’ signs around the neighbourhood. I figured if it was one of my neighbours, they would have to meet a real-life Aboriginal, handing them a free sign.”
Anyway, I was about to go door-knocking when I had this massive wave of anxiety. The reality hit me. I was about to talk to my neighbours. Yuk! Could you imagine talking to randoms? About Indigenous issues? In a predominately elderly neighbourhood!!?? Well, I couldn’t back down, my anger was stronger than my anxiety so I went out to face the boomers head-on.
And to my surprise, everyone I met was very lovely. Out of everyone, probably two people didn’t want a free sign, but I had great conversations with all of them. And even though we lost the referendum, I was proud of putting my angst aside for the greater good. It helped me see that there are a lot of non-Indigenous people out there who care about us having autonomy and self-determination.
“And even though we lost the referendum, I was proud of putting my angst aside for the greater good. ”
5. What fear would people be surprised to know you still have?
I have a fear of going hungry. There were a few times, as a kid, we had to get food hampers from the church because there wasn’t enough to go around. Plus, I would be told to eat everything on my plate because there might not be anything to eat tomorrow. All that affected me to having anxiety around food. Even though going hungry isn’t an issue for me anymore.
“I have a fear of going hungry. There were a few times, as a kid, we had to get food hampers from the church because there wasn’t enough to go around.”
For example, I’ll have a mini freak out if I go to a house dinner and they only do one smallish serving and there are no entrees or dessert. I’ll even offer to bring a plate, but I’ll be told no need, they have plenty. Ok cool, but then I find out that was an absolute lie as I chow down a lentil and sultana salad. Waiting for the nightmare to end so I can go grab some late-night nuggies.
“I’ll have a mini freak out if I go to a house dinner and they only do one smallish serving and there are no entrees or dessert.”
I also get unreasonably angry if an event says ‘dinner’ but it’s actually finger food. Actually no, it is completely reasonable to be pissed off. Because, seriously, what the fuck is up with white Australian culture and food! When you say the word ‘dinner’, everybody from a non-white cultural background hears that to mean, you load up a fucking plate. Eat. Then load it up again. Eat some more. Have a sneaky slice of cake. Tea or coffee. Then take the leftovers home. Seriously, get it together White Australia! Stop calling nibbles and finger food, dinner. It’s disrespectful and frankly, it’s gaslighting!!... Anyway, that’s my fear.
6. What book or movie or song made an impact on your life?
I would say, one thing that broke my brain when I was young was the morning, I saw ‘Clint Eastwood’ by Gorillaz on Video Hits. A cartoon band, with zombie gorillas, a rapping ghost, the singer from Blur and the creator of Tank Girl was mind-blowing.
After school, at the homework centre (aka the school library) I would go onto the Gorillaz website, which was an interactive house you could explore, and I would go through each room looking at all their references and listen to their sample songs.
I couldn’t put my finger on the eclectic style Gorillaz had, but it kinda made sense to me in a weird way. Their use of horror films, old synths and collaborations with artists I had never heard of, expanded my idea of the possibilities of what is cool and allowed in art.
7. What is the most deplorable thing you enjoy?
I have a bit of road rage and to combat that I enjoy saying racist things at people while I’m driving. I would never say it to anyone’s face or yell out the window but it’s cathartic for me when I'm driving. Behind the wheel, I’m doing bad accents and re-enacting the worst stereotypes. And white people aren’t off the hook with this either. If I see some white dude serving in and out of traffic in his Ford Raptor big boy ute. I’ll say he’s just trying to get home to kiss his parents on the lips. And I’m sorry but that’s my deep racist belief of white people. That, most of them, as full-grown adults, will wet kiss their parents on the lips and think that’s totally normal.
And while I’m being completely deplorable in my car, I will never say anything sexist or homophobic. That’s where I draw the line. But you will be called the N-word no matter what colour your skin is.
“I have a bit of road rage and to combat that I enjoy saying racist things at people while I’m driving.”
8. What do you wish you had said to the person/s who raised you?
“Mum, you did your best with what you had and we turned out pretty ok. You don’t need to be afraid and you don’t need to settle for less. Because a life in fear is a life half lived. You are strong and you are loved. Please live your life to the fullest.”
“Mum, you did your best with what you had and we turned out pretty ok. You don’t need to be afraid and you don’t need to settle for less.”
“Dad, I can never forgive you. I can never look you in the eyes. I often wonder what we would be like if you were the man we needed. I knew you tried, but maybe if you forgave yourself, your life might have taken a different turn. Wish it didn’t have to be like this but those are the choices you made, and because of that, everyone turned their back on you”
“Dad, I can never forgive you. I can never look you in the eyes. I often wonder what we would be like if you were the man we needed.”
9. How has a person changed your life?
Many people have changed my life and I feel blessed for that. But there is one person or should I say, a pup with personhood who changed my life. And that was my darling little girl Pocket. She was a 10-year-old rescue Staffy picked up from Wagga Pound. My partner at the time showed me a photo of her in a little Mexican hat and I instantly fell in love.
“my darling little girl Pocket. She was a 10-year-old rescue Staffy picked up from Wagga Pound.”
From the first day I met her, we became inseparable. She taught me to never sweat the small stuff, to be present, to enjoy my own company and to be outgoing. Over the next 3 years, she was showered with love and affection which made her personality shine through. And what a personality! We saw one mischievous Staffy who would play tricks on us, tease us and be demanding. But I didn’t mind because she was only making up for lost time.
“She taught me to never sweat the small stuff, to be present, to enjoy my own company and to be outgoing.”
She had an impact, not only on my life but on my friends and family's lives as well. She will forever live in my heart, never to be forgotten. I will always love you Pockety. Thank you for everything.