Photo by: Maya Iman
We caught up with actress and producer Daya Vaidya who can currently be seen starring as the supervillain Onomatopoeia (aka Peia Mannheim) in season 3 of The CW’s hit superhero series Superman & Lois. As an interesting twist to the DC character, rather than appearing as a male enemy of Green Arrow and Batman as seen in the comics, Onomatopoeia here is portrayed by Daya working alongside crime boss Bruno Mannheim (played by Chad L. Coleman).
We asked Daya about how she got into acting, what she enjoys about portraying Onomatopoeia in Superman & Lois, and being part of the DC Universe.
Check out our conversation below.
When did you decide that storytelling was something you wanted to do?
Daya Vaidya (DV): I have wanted to be an actor since I was 11 years old. I caught the bug early and I’ve never looked back. I started in theater in the Bay Area, graduated from UCLA in dance and theater and then began acting professionally in Los Angeles right after graduation. I love everything about it and my passion for creating characters and telling their stories never wanes. Even after 12–14-hour shoots! LOL.
What’s it like being on a superhero show like Superman & Lois?
DV: I absolutely loved working on Superman and Lois! It was such an incredible ride. I’ve never played a supervillain or even a superhero before, yet it’s always been a dream of mine. So, stepping into the character of Onomatopoeia was challenging, fun, exhilarating, scary and cathartic. I was able to pull on so many threads with her, for the dimensions to her personality and experiences were endless.
What can people expect from your character this season?
DV: This season will take you on an emotional rollercoaster! It has so many twists and turns, reveals, and secrets that it will leave you guessing, questioning and of course ….crying! Or…at least sniffling, depending on your heart! Peia is an enigma. Is she evil, or is she kind and desperate? What length would you go to in protecting your family? I liked playing with that question.
What’s it like working on a DC Universe show knowing there’s a big appeal for that type of content?
DV: It’s been a dream of mine to work on a DC Comic book show, and I love the fans! They are a special group. They are so knowledgeable about the world, super passionate, and supportive. The writers pushed the envelope with this storyline and the DC Universe fans have so far seemed to love it. If you come to my Instagram @dayavaidya, I always try to interact and answer fans’ questions. I think the DC Universe is interactive, so it’s important for me to stay in touch with the audience that this world touches. They’re the true superheroes: regular folks who spread joy, by escaping into these outer realm universes and who push us to be even more creative.
What do you like the most about Onomatopoeia?
DV: What I love most about Onomatopoeia is her fierceness. Her power is vast – the only supervillain who can disable Superman without kryptonite. She’s larger than life and yet she’s also vulnerable. She’s a good mother and wife, but a force not to be messed with. I love characters like this! Complicated and three dimensional.
What’s the best advice someone has ever given you about acting and storytelling?
DV: My mentor and acting coach of 25 years, Stuart Rogers, has given me so many tools and guidance. I wouldn’t be the actor or person I am today without him. When I first started with him, I used to push incredibly hard when I acted. I wanted to ‘get it.’ Stuart was the one who helped me see that I don’t have to ‘reach’ for anything. All the threads of this particular story and character are already in you. All you have to do is spend time in the beliefs, dreams and imagination of this person, in this story, in this world. You do that work, that ‘spinning,’ that imagining and then you just show up, like it’s the first time, let go and dance. It’s jazz. It’s riffing. Art is art and you’re the instrument or the canvas. That’s how I show up now. It’s not even work – it simply starts with a breath. It’s just play, creativity and fun!
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Superman & Lois airs on The CW on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and can be streamed online and via The CW app.
Follow Daya Vaidya: Instagram