Jenny Ayumi Interview

How did you first get into stunts? Do you remember the first time you realized this could be a career?

I was introduced to stunts completely by chance. I attended a tricking workshop in town with some friends, not really knowing what tricking was at all, but I ended up having the best time. After the session, the two coaches, one of them being our very own Hitz member Russ McCarroll, along with Nathan Barris, approached me and asked if I’d ever considered stunts. At that point, I didn’t even fully understand what stunt work entailed.

They showed me a stunt showreel of one of the top female stunt performers, Fleur van Erden, and I was instantly mesmerised. Seeing what was possible made something click for me immediately. I remember asking on the spot how I could get involved. There were workshops available at the time, and the very first one I attended was a sword workshop… and let's just say, the rest is history!

What were some of the skills or disciplines you trained in before breaking into the stunt world?

I was a high-level competitive artistic gymnast for 13 years. Throughout that time, I won numerous awards, medals, and trophies. Early on, my coach trained myself and five other girls as potential contenders for the London Olympics. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding systems in South Africa at the time, we weren’t able to take that final step, but we were among the top gymnasts in the country at the time.

Gymnastics completely shaped my upbringing. We trained five hours a day, six days a week, which meant leaving school early every day to make it to training. In high school, I attended a sports boarding school, where life revolved entirely around school and our respective sports. Eating, sleeping, and breathing GYMNASTICS.

After finishing school and stepping away from gymnastics, I trained as a dancer for over five years, focusing mainly on hip hop while also exploring contemporary and other styles. That combination of gymnastics and dance laid a strong foundation for my movement quality, discipline, and adaptability as a stunt performer.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

You have worked on eighteen different projects so far. When you look at them all together, what do they reveal about the kind of artist and performer you are becoming?

I’ve never really thought to look at my career that way before, but reflecting on it now, I’d say it’s shaped me into a very versatile performer. When I first started in stunts, I never in a million years imagined I’d be the person people call for sword fights or complex fight sequences, especially for somebody who had no martial arts background. Given my background, I assumed wires would be my main strength.

Martial arts, especially weapon work, became a much bigger part of my career than I ever expected,  despite having no martial arts background at all. I owe a huge amount of that growth to Brett Chan. He invested a lot of time into training me one-on-one and brought in the best people to help develop specific skill sets. That mentorship completely changed my trajectory and helped shape the performer I am today.

You have talked publicly about how experiences on large sets like Wednesday shaped you and pushed you creatively. What is something from that show that changed your perspective or expanded your skill set?

Season 1 of Wednesday was incredibly formative for me. Under Brett Chan’s guidance, I learned an immense amount, not just physically, but professionally. From the admin side of stunts, to actor training, wire work, fencing, and understanding what it really means to be a lead double, it was a crash course in becoming a well-rounded stunt performer.

In Season 2, I was given the responsibility of creating and choreographing fight scenes for Jenna, which was a huge step up. Fight choreography was something I assumed I’d only explore much later in my career, so I’m extremely grateful for the trust I was given. Pushing myself creatively in that role showed me that I genuinely love building fights and being able to tell a story through movement.

What was it like doubling for Jenna Ortega on Wednesday? Any behind-the-scenes memories you can share?

It was such an honour doubling Jenna. She is such a lovely human being, and to see her grow from season 1 to season 2 in her physical abilities made me so proud. I love that we have this weird way of understanding each other, especially when I’m teaching her new choreography. 

I have a tendency to teach more by showing than by talking, but I do it in such a way that others would absolutely not understand haha, yet she gets every word and every movement and replicates it to perfection! That level of connection and trust makes such a difference on set, and it was a really special experience.

You have played roles like Lai in Warrior while also doing extensive stunt work. Do you plan to step further into acting? And if so, what kind of character would you dream of exploring, and what draws you to that role?

I would absolutely LOVE to move further into acting or stunt acting!!! My dream character would be something like Nezuko from Demon Slayer or an anime-styled assassin, or something horror-inspired like the grudge haha. I’m really drawn to characters that are intense, eerie or psychologically abnormal.

In my everyday life, I’m quite introverted, shy, and quiet, so stepping into darker, more extreme characters feels freeing. Playing “psycho” or frightening roles comes surprisingly naturally to me, and I find that kind of transformation really exciting. 

Otherwise I’d love to play a role like “Tomb Raidar, or kick ass lead assassin roles

When you joined the team for Warrior, what was the most unexpected challenge you faced, and how did you and your team approach it?

Learning broadsword was by far my biggest challenge. As someone with no formal martial arts background, I had to learn not just the movements, but how to be fluid, graceful, powerful, and convincing, like someone who had wielded a sword their whole life.

It took many long hours and countless sessions with Tong Yao. I was in the stunt gym every single day, starting with the absolute basics and repeating them over and over until they became second nature. It was humbling, but incredibly rewarding.

Which project or accomplishment are you most proud of and why? 

Warrior, and playing Lai, is the project I’m most proud of. It was my first major stunt acting role and the first time I ever picked up a broadsword. Having a dedicated one-on-one fight in Season 3 was a dream come true. Every stunt performer dreams of having a full fight sequence built around their character.

Not only did I learn a lot on Warrior but it pushed me harder than anything else and showed me what I’m truly capable of, physically, mentally, and creatively.

Looking back at your career so far, which project forced you to grow the fastest, and what specific moment from that project taught you something you still carry with you today?

The experience that forced me to grow the fastest wasn’t a film or TV project, but joining Cirque du Soleil on a brand new stunt show. It was the first time I left my home in Cape Town and built a life on my own in Las Vegas. My first apartment, my first major international contract, and my first large-scale live show.

Live performance is unforgiving. There are no second takes, no safety nets, and no hiding behind the camera. You have to perform at your best every single night. That environment taught me discipline, consistency, accountability, and confidence in a way nothing else ever could.

What I carry with me today is the understanding that real growth happens when you step into the unknown. Being uncomfortable, challenged, and far from home showed me how resilient and capable I truly am. not just as a performer, but as a person.

What’s one moment on set you’ll never forget?

One moment I’ll never forget was the first time I performed a big, high-risk stunt on Wednesday ,when I was thrown out of the window, and felt that complete silence just before “action.” That split second where everything goes quiet, your body knows exactly what to do, and you fully commit. When it went perfectly and everyone cheered afterward, it was a reminder of why I do this. That trust between the coordinator, the rigger, the crew, and myself, and knowing all the preparation paid off. That feeling is addictive in the best possible way.

MINDSET & PROCESS

Do you have a quote or philosophy that sums up your approach?

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again! NEVER give up, because the light at the end of that dark tunnel usually brings the most amazing moment of self-realisation and growth.

What’s been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

The biggest challenge has been self doubt and learning not to compare my journey to others. This industry moves fast, and it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind or not doing enough. Learning to trust my own path, stay patient, and focus on consistent growth rather than instant results has been one of the hardest but most important lessons.

Many stunt performers talk about the physical demands of the job. What is a mental or emotional skill that people overlook but that you rely on every day?

Oh man, the older I’m getting the more I realise that stunts has always been a mental game and less of a physical game. The only difference is, when we’re younger we have less fear, less responsibilities and less awareness of the consequences, but the older we get, we realise just how mentally challenging all of this really is. Having the ability to just switch off your brain, just before doing a hardcore stunt that could possibly hurt you , or having faith in all the training you’ve done up until that point to put full energy, acting and body awareness to throw yourself off a building or into a wall making it look like it killed you but it make sure you landed safely. Being fully alert and aware at all times not only for your own safely but for the safety of those around you.

You have trained in multiple disciplines and lived in different places. How has that cultural movement shaped your identity as a performer and as a person?

I believe travel helps you grow in ways nothing else really can. Living and working in different countries has made me more adaptable, open-minded, and resilient. Every place comes with its own work ethic, energy, and storytelling style, and I’ve been able to take pieces of all of that and bring them into my work. As a person, it’s taught me independence and confidence; as a performer, it’s helped me stay flexible and grounded no matter the environment.

What’s your favorite part of being a stunt performer?

My favorite part is the constant challenge. No two days are ever the same, and I’m always learning something new. Whether it’s a new skill, a new way of moving, or a new way of thinking. 

I also love the sense of family within the stunt community; there’s so much trust, respect, and support, and it truly feels like a team effort every time we step on set.

What keeps you showing up every day?

The love and support from my family, my dogs and the fact that I could be inspiring little girls from all around the world to follow in my footsteps and to be the role model to them that they can be anything their heart desires.

INDUSTRY

With the rise of digital effects, how do you see the role of practical stunt work changing, and where do you hope it goes in the future?

I think CGI is an amazing tool when used correctly, but nothing can replace the authenticity and emotion that practical stunts bring to a scene. I hope the industry continues to value real movement, real reactions, and real performers. Ideally, practical stunts and CGI will keep working hand-in-hand, enhancing each other rather than replacing one another.

What’s something people don’t see, but should appreciate, about stunt work?

The preparation. Most audiences only see the final result on screen. They don’t see the months or years of conditioning, rehearsal, training, and failure that lead to that moment. They don’t see the bruises, the sacrifices we make, the fear you have to regulate rather than eliminate, the mental exhaustion of running worst-case scenarios over and over. Every stunt is engineered with precision and restraint. The goal is never to “be fearless,” but to be prepared.

And people forget something crucial: stunt performers are still human. Gravity, impact, fire, and speed hurt us the same way they’d hurt anyone else. The difference isn’t invincibility, it’s that we’ve learned how to fall, how to absorb, how to minimize damage, and how to keep going anyway. That unseen mastery is what makes the spectacle possible.

You have shared that you love the behind the scenes side of stunt work, especially testing wires and building gags with your team. Can you share a moment that truly captured that teamwork and adventurous spirit for you?

Some of my favorite moments have been in the stunt gym or on location during testing days, when it’s just the team, no pressure, and everyone is throwing ideas around. Testing a gag over and over, tweaking small details, laughing when something doesn’t work, and then finally finding that perfect solution together that’s where the magic really happens for me. It feels like controlled chaos mixed with pure creativity.

As you continue to evolve, what is a new creative direction or discipline that you hope to bring into your work in the next chapter of your career?

I’d love to continue diving deeper into fight choreography and stunt coordination. Creating movement, shaping characters through action, and telling a story purely through physicality excites me a lot. I’m also very interested in expanding my stunt acting and exploring darker, more complex roles that push me emotionally as much as physically.

Who inspires you, either in the stunt industry or beyond?

I’m inspired by performers who constantly push boundaries while staying humble and hardworking. People like Brett Chan have had a huge influence on me, not just technically but mentally. Showing me what dedication, patience, and generosity in this industry truly look like. Beyond stunts, I’m inspired by strong female characters and performers who aren’t afraid to be unconventional, different, or unapologetically themselves.