Leeds star says she chanted her way into Coronation Street
Leeds star Gaynor Faye has revealed how becoming a Buddhist helped her to land her breakthrough role in Coronation Street – and maintain a youthful appearance.
The 54-year-old, best known for playing loveable Judy Mallett in the soap, says that chanting was instrumental in her dream becoming reality.
"I chanted to get a really brilliant job so that I could spread Buddhism," said Gaynor. "And then that's when I got Coronation Street. So, it definitely worked!"
The star's spiritual journey began when she was appearing in play in Watford. Backstage, a fellow cast member caught her eye for all the right reasons.
"She just had this glow around her," Gaynor said in an interview with WhichBingo.
"She was always upbeat, always very wonderful. I remember going up to her and asking what cream she wore on her face because her skin was so effervescent and beautiful. She said, 'oh it's not the cream darling, I'm a Buddhist!'"
“I remember going to her dressing room one day and I could smell incense and hear her chanting. I just sat there listening and I remember feeling really calm. Like I knew this sound and that it was meant for me."
Today, Gaynor says the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is woven into every single day of her life — and she credits it for everything from her career choices to her remarkably unlined complexion.
The mother of two, who spent seven years as Megan Macey in Emmerdale, is set to star in the film Hot Flash — a bold, funny, and empowering story about the menopause — which hits the screens in the autumn.
Written by Jan Birley, Gaynor’s character is a middle-aged hairdresser facing the menopause and the challenges of everyday family life.
“I just loved what she [Birley] was writing about. She wanted to make women visible, and she wanted to bring the menopause out. It's about the empowerment that it gives women as well.
“It's very funny and she's raised all this money herself to make this film. I'm just so in awe of her brilliance.”