How actor Guyala Bayles had ‘no choice’ about political activism

The model-turned-actor opens up about making it to ‘the big time’ and how raising awareness for Indigenous Australians is in her blood.

Guyala Bayles’ first experience in front of the camera was as a model, but now she’s sashayed her way into a budding acting career, with international plans ahead. As she prepares for the release of her new project, the Australian coming-of-age film 6 Festivals, Bayles reflects on how her family’s history with Indigenous political activism helped her find her voice – and why her little brother Quaden is her biggest reminder about “what’s important”

She’s landed her big break in a new Australian drama and now Indigenous model and actress Guyala Bayles has her sights set on Hollywood.

“I really want to take my career international,” Bayles says. “[Hollywood] is where it’s at. The big time – that’s where I want to go.”

The 22-year-old Birri Gubba and Wonnarua woman stars in the upcoming Australian coming-of-age film 6 Festivals on Paramount+. It’s an ode to the escapism of summer music festivals, with Bayles portraying young up-and-coming musician Marley.

“Growing up, I have always written poems and songs and raps, but I was kind of too shy to show it to anyone. I kind of hid it from everyone – no-one really knew,” she says.

“Now, I feel like I can do it and share my voice. And I guess the singing was all right because I got [the part].”

Guyala Bayles: ‘The big time - that’s where I want to go’. Picture: Daniel Nadel.

Shooting 6 Festivals took place in front of real-life crowds, which meant Bayles had to perform in front of thousands of festival-goers.

“I was like, ‘I [am] sh*tting myself, this is so scary!’ I had never performed in front of thousands of people in my life… it was exhilarating.”

Bayles’ career in front of the camera started with modelling – she was signed to Chic model management after appearing in a runway show in Brisbane – but it was her family’s long-held history with political activism which prepared her for what was to come.

For Bayles, using her voice to raise awareness for Indigenous Australians is in her blood.

“It has been passed down to me,” she tells Stellar.

“I feel like, as a young First Nations woman from a very politically active family, I had no choice but to step up into that role; of using my voice to speak up about the injustices of this country.

“Ever since I was a child, I’d go to marches with my grandfather, Tiga Bayles.”

Guyala Bayles: ‘I had no choice but to step up into that [political] role.’ Picture Daniel Nadel.

Guyala Bayles: ‘I feel proud to be able to use my platform.’ Picture: Daniel Nadel.

Tiga was her mother’s father; a Birri Gubba Gungalu man, Deadly Award-winning broadcaster and Aboriginal rights activist, with his work recognised by Amnesty International’s Inaugural Media Award in 2014.

“I feel proud to be able to use my platform, and reach my audience, and they are being educated in the midst of it.

“As much as I am politically active, it’s also important to talk about the achievements – and that we’re still passing on that legacy, and standing strong, and being who we are.”

Brisbane-based Bayles has also been a vocal supporter of her younger brother Quaden Bayles, 11, who made headlines in 2020 when a heartbreaking video of him in emotional distress after being bullied at school because of his dwarfism went viral.

Guyala Bayles features in this Sunday’s Stellar. Picture: Daniel Nadel.

She says the ordeal was “traumatising” but adds Quaden is now “doing really well”.

“Ever since that happened, it kind of opened our eyes to what’s important,” Bayles says. “It’s important for him to know that we’re here for him – and he knows that.”