…when you’re going into auditions and even if you’re not hearing back, the more you do, the better. Because you’re going to get out there. So I think knowing that would have been really helpful, too, early on because it also helps you be able to be motivated and have hope. Just because you don’t book something, you might get a couple of auditions from the same casting directors that can really give you motivation. You’re like, “Okay, yes, I didn’t get it, but I’m gaining experience. I’m honing into this character, which I may need later, and I’m really trying to get out there in any way I can.” So just doing all of these is a stepping stone. Getting auditions itself is something that I would encourage other people to be happy about…
I had the pleasure of talking with Noa DiBerto. Noa, a Toronto native, has quickly made a name for herself in the entertainment industry as an actress, model, and competitive cheerleader. Currently captivating audiences with her role as Rachel in the 2023 feature film “Backspot,” produced by Elliot Page, DiBerto is set to see the film reach theaters on May 31st.
Born and raised in a small town in Ontario, DiBerto’s early life was marked by a vibrant family environment, filled with travel and home video productions — early signs of her natural inclination towards performance. Her mother, an actor herself, instilled a deep appreciation for the arts in Noa, which was further nurtured by her participation in gymnastics from the age of four. Her athleticism later expanded to include power tumbling, cheerleading, and dance, earning her numerous accolades and leading her to a spot on the University of Western Ontario CoEd Cheerleading team, which won the 2023 National Championships.
Noa’s acting career began to take shape through her involvement in her school’s drama club, where she not only acted but also took on scriptwriting and directing roles. Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Ella Hopper in the 2021 feature film “Olympians at Heart,” a role that allowed her to perform her own stunts thanks to her gymnastic prowess. This blend of athleticism and acting skill set her apart in the casting process, leading to more significant opportunities.
Off the set, Noa DiBerto is an internet personality known for her engaging presence on platforms like TikTok, where she shares moments of her life outside of acting. Her interests are diverse, encompassing skiing, surfing, and singing, activities that complement her dynamic personality.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, DiBerto is currently a university student studying business and psychology, fields she believes enhance her understanding of character development and her approach to new challenges. This educational background, combined with a familial entrepreneurial spirit, shapes her methodical approach to both acting and personal projects.
As Noa DiBerto’s career continues to evolve, her unique combination of athletic ability, artistic talent, and academic pursuit positions her as a notable figure to watch in the entertainment industry.
Yitzi: So, Noa , it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Noa: I grew up in a very small town where I spent a lot of time with my outgoing family. We loved to travel and capture moments, and I was always eager to be the center of our home videos. My mom was an actor and she shared her experiences with me, which really sparked my interest in movies and acting. From a young age, I was fascinated by cameras and I would practice various accents to prepare for potential roles. I’m also fluent in French, having attended French Immersion schools from elementary through high school. This skill came in handy and I hoped it would also be useful for French roles. Sports played a big part in my life too. Many in my family were gymnasts, so naturally, I followed that path and also developed a passion for soccer, with my dad coaching me from the age of four. This gave me a balance of independence and teamwork, which was invaluable. Then, during COVID, my activities moved online, which was challenging. My first significant acting role was in “Olympians at Heart,” where I performed all my own stunts. This project was a great blend of my acting and gymnastic skills, especially during a time when competitions were halted. I love skiing in the winter, another activity I enjoy with my family. These experiences, along with the support of my friends, have shaped who I am today. Now, I’m in university studying business and psychology, which complements my acting. I’m also on the Western Varsity Co-ed cheerleading team, which has taught me resilience — much like gymnastics taught me to finish the routine no matter what. This mindset helps me in my studies and life, encouraging me to keep pushing forward, no matter the setbacks. My father owns a business, and that entrepreneurial spirit has influenced my approach to meeting new challenges and solving problems, both in business and in understanding the human psyche, which I incorporate into my character development in acting.
Yitzi: So we hear about all your incredible skills. How did this lead to a successful career as an actress? How did that develop? What was your first opening?
Noa: Yes, it all started when I was a kid. I loved being in home videos, and having a mom with acting experience was incredibly helpful. She’s been my number one supporter and my idol. My journey into acting began with her guidance since I didn’t know much about the industry initially. I was involved in drama club throughout elementary and high school, taking on more responsibilities like scriptwriting and directing by the time I was in grade 12. I also used my gymnastics skills to add unique elements to our performances.
I had a drama teacher whose son was a professional actor, which opened my eyes to television acting, not just theater. I began theater classes about seven years ago, where I got to play diverse roles, which was fascinating. I also attended summer courses for camera acting, learning everything from slate techniques to acting styles.
After building a solid acting resume, I sought out an agent and eventually signed with Carrier Talent Management in Toronto. My big break came with the role of Ella Hopper in “Olympians at Heart.” During gymnastics practice, I got the call — they loved my audition but needed to cast a twin sister and a father. Luckily, my biological sister, also a gymnast, auditioned and got the part. We even had our callback in my gymnastics club where we performed flips and acted out scenes.
Landing that lead role was thrilling, especially since it allowed me to perform all my stunts, avoiding the need for a double. This experience really showcased my skills and helped me form incredible bonds on set, especially with Pat, who played my dad. That role was not only my first but a defining moment in my career, blending my acting with my cheerleading and gymnastics experiences, which proved invaluable for my character development.
Yitzi: You probably have so many interesting experiences and stories. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite stories that happened either on set, in production, or just in general in your career as an actress?
Noa: Oh, definitely! First, during the filming of “Backspot,” our director, DW, did an incredible job ensuring we were all well-prepared. After our initial table read, we had countless meetups in a gym in Brampton to practice our cheer routines. These weren’t just rehearsals; they included bonding over great food, which helped us get ready for filming, ensuring everyone was confident and safe in their roles. What I loved about this process was the collaborative atmosphere. I got to choose which aerial skills to perform in the film, and we all had a say in the routines that would be showcased. It was amazing to see how powerful and capable our all-girl cheer squad was, especially since I hadn’t been part of an all-female team before.
Another highlight was the table read for the movie. That’s where I met the entire cast, including stars like Evan Rachel Wood and Elliot Page. Evan has been acting since she was about four and shared invaluable tips with me. It was surreal to work alongside actors I’ve admired, and it added so much to the experience.
On set, one of my favorite things was exploring the emotional depth of my character. It was fascinating to switch between being myself and diving into the character’s varied emotional states. Watching my co-stars do the same was incredibly inspiring. It was also wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces like Chiara, my makeup artist from “Olympians at Heart.”
Overall, these experiences — practicing the routines, the bonding at the table read, and the transformative moments on set — were not only educational but deeply fulfilling. It was a blend of personal growth, professional development, and creating lasting memories with an amazing team.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson that you learned from it?
Noa: Oh, definitely! A memorable mistake comes to mind. Early on, I had a tough time understanding how competitive acting can be. I remember feeling devastated after auditions where I thought I performed exceptionally well but didn’t get the part. It took me a while to learn that not getting a callback is a common experience and not a reflection of my worth or talent.
I recall filming the behind-the-scenes of one particular audition for “Olympians at Heart.” It was a 14-minute video where I had to style my hair differently multiple times. During this process, either my mom, who was reading lines with me, or I would mess up. I jokingly said, “Oh, I’m so tired, should we just not?” even though I wasn’t serious about giving up. But that moment really put things into perspective — it’s crucial not to give up because you never know what opportunity might be just around the corner.
Millie Bobby Brown, before her success with “Stranger Things,” was close to quitting after facing similar challenges. This just shows how perseverance is key in this industry. The big takeaway for me was to avoid being too hard on myself and to understand that persistence is part of the journey to success. That’s something I’d want to pass on to other actors just starting out.
Yitzi: You have so many amazing projects on the table and that we’ve done in a way you share with the readers the exciting things you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future.
Noa: Yeah, I’m really excited for everyone to see “Backspot.” I think audiences will really resonate with the storyline, and get to see the struggles, and the efforts behind cheerleading, which is often stereotyped. This film breaks away from the typical cheerleading clichés. It showcases the hard work, the sweat, and the tears that go into the sport. I think it will change people’s perceptions, highlighting the strength and determination required, which goes beyond the traditional view of cheerleading as just sideline support.
In “Backspot,” we dive into the realities of cheerleading, showing that it’s not all about pom-poms and cheering for other sports. It’s much more intense and demanding. Even the guys on our varsity co-ed team, who had initial reservations due to stereotypes, have grown to love it. The film also addresses misconceptions about male cheerleaders and showcases the incredible teamwork involved, which is often overlooked.
The storyline follows cheerleaders, Riley, and Amanda, and my character Rachel, who join the Thunderhawks All-Stars squad. The narrative explores the pressures and challenges of adjusting to a new team and the harsh realities of competing at a higher level. It’s not just about the triumphs; it’s about the genuine struggles athletes face.
We’ve put so much effort into this film, from the script to the production, ensuring that each character brings a unique perspective to the table. This project was especially thrilling for me because of the deep dive into the characters’ personal battles and how they overcome stereotypes to show the true strength of cheerleaders. The film also touches on important themes like mental health, highlighting the need to support those who might appear happy on the outside but are struggling internally.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue working on projects that challenge stereotypes and bring depth to the characters I play. I’m eager to explore more roles that allow me to use my background in psychology to delve into complex emotional landscapes, hopefully making a meaningful impact on audiences and contributing to important conversations in society.
Yitzi: Amazing answer. Now, how do you compare and contrast your personal character, Noa , with the character you play, Rachel? How are you similar, and how are you different?
Noa: Okay, so that is a very good question. First of all, I do have a background in gymnastics, which the movie doesn’t necessarily touch on because it revolves around cheerleading, but cheerleading involves a lot of tumbling. Floor was my favorite event my whole life in gymnastics, and it was great to see that in the movie, tumbling and doing my own stunts was awesome. Obviously, I am a real-life gymnast since I was 18 months old and also a power tumbler. In terms of cheerleading, there’s a lot people don’t understand. There are bases, which in co-ed are usually men, or in all-girl, it’s some girls holding you up. Then there’s the mid-base, kind of like the stepping stone in the middle, and then there’s the flyer. I’ve been in all those positions, and being involved in gymnastics really makes you strong. It was really neat to see that in the movie; I do all those different positions.
Rachel has a sunny demeanor, she’s confident, and outgoing, which really shined through in my audition. DW told me they were looking for a Rachel for a long time, and with me, I just made it my own. I added abbreviations, different sounds, even changed the lines to make it my own, which really resonated with the casting team. On set, alongside many big actors that I look up to, hearing them say, “That was so good,” was really awesome. It was one of my favorite parts, just being encouraged.
Something else that’s similar is having friends on the team. In the movie, showcasing Riley, Amanda, and Rachel, we’re like a tripod, and we go through everything together, which is awesome because on my cheer team, I have a similar dynamic.
A very important aspect that’s similar is that I’m also the friend that people don’t think to check up on. I have a really good support system, but it does get very stressful with the dual degree and being on the co-ed cheerleading team, which is five days a week, and being in acting. I never say no to an audition. I bring my ring light everywhere — I even bought a second one in Florida for an audition.
Yitzi: So, how are you different than Rachel?
Noa: I think the difference is in vulnerability. I feel that I can’t stop talking sometimes, so I’ll go to someone close to me and share what’s on my mind, asking for help. I think this is something I want to inspire others to do because mental health is a big aspect of this movie. People have anxiety a lot of the time, and it’s important to encourage them to reach out because there is help and people who will lend a hand. The main difference is in vulnerability: I speak up if I’m stressed about something, whereas my character doesn’t as much. We’re very similar in many ways, but that’s the key difference.
Yitzi: This is our signature question that we ask in all our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now, and I’m sure one day you’ll be a superstar — you already are. But looking back to when you started, do you have five things you wish somebody told you when you first started acting?
Noa: The first one, and the biggest one, is how acting can be so competitive. It has nothing to do with who you are, what your background is, or how you identify. If the casting director sees it, they see it. I think that’s so important. Don’t get down on yourself, don’t give up.
The second thing I wish I knew is that you’re going to meet so many people along the way that are going to help you. For example, I didn’t even know about publicists. Now, I did my research on acting; my mom was an actor, but I didn’t know that publicists were fully… I knew they were a thing, I didn’t know how to get one. DW and Devery Jacobs are amazing. They had a Zoom call with me, and they explained to me, “This would be a good idea for you.” And that’s something that I didn’t do for Olympians at Heart because I didn’t know. And I think, going along the way, you’re really going to learn acting tips, you’re going to learn how to navigate this crazy world. So don’t be too stressed because there are people in your corner that are going to help you with navigating your success.
Something else I didn’t know too much about was ADR or Automated dialogue replacement. So, for example, if the microphone is uncomfortable or you can’t get it on, or the outfit’s interesting, you can always fully redo that line in ADR, which I found really helpful. It was easing up my mind. And it was also really nice because you get to see your cast members again because you’ll miss them. You literally create a family.
That’s the fourth thing I wish someone told me. You meet people that you will love, and you get so close with. You’re on set from 6 AM to 10 PM, and you build this incredible bond. It’s not just you filming a movie or a TV show or a commercial; you build this bond that you’re going to be so drawn to. And the second it’s done is so sad. You know, DW was teaching me about this post-set depression, and that’s something I wish I knew so I was prepared for it. But I think you learn that anyway. It’s inevitable, but that was something so interesting because I had never felt that way before. And that’s why ADR was also interesting to learn about, because you get to go and see them again, which is really exciting.
And then the fifth thing is something I wish someone told me… is to remember to breathe. So, in terms of sad scenes, If the lines say “cry” or you’re bawling, that can sometimes be deceiving. And I think this is a really big acting tip that, on Olympians at Heart, we had an acting coach who really put this into perspective for me. First of all, you do get some cry eye drops. But in terms of auditions and even on set, in scenes, I’ve had some crying scenes and really painful, excruciating scenes. It’s not about the tears. What I learned, that I wish someone told me, is that it has so much to do with your breathing because, as regular people, when we’re about to cry, we don’t want to cry. So, kind of taking that, honing into how you actually react to that is that you’re not going to be bawling unless you’re maybe alone at 3 AM, and you’re letting it out. But other than that, it’s a lot in your face, and it’s a lot in your breathing that really portrays the image of “I’m upset.” So I think that also because some people really… “Oh, you have to cry in this scene.” Like, my friends who are non-actors, I’m like, “Yeah, but I don’t act. I just have to really hone into being upset.” It doesn’t have to do fully with being upset and crying.
I think another thing that I wish someone told me, too, is that despite my first point, that it’s so competitive, when you’re going into auditions and even if you’re not hearing back, the more you do, the better. Because you’re going to get out there. So I think knowing that would have been really helpful, too, early on because it also helps you be able to be motivated and have hope. Just because you don’t book something, you might get a couple of auditions from the same casting directors that can really give you motivation. You’re like, “Okay, yes, I didn’t get it, but I’m gaining experience. I’m honing into this character, which I may need later, and I’m really trying to get out there in any way I can.” So just doing all of these is a stepping stone. Getting auditions itself is something that I would encourage other people to be happy about because I know some people going into the industry may think, “I’m not booking anything,” but it’s not all about that.
So this kind of goes into my first point, but also knowing that doing all these auditions, you’re getting seen by these casting directors. And I think it not only helps you in the future and gives you more experience, but it really puts you in the eyes of casting directors constantly, and that can be a really good thing.
So, me getting a publicist, me doing all these auditions and talking to people… I love every second of it because, despite stress about everything else, this doesn’t feel like a job to me. This is what I want to do. I would do it for free. I love it. So kind of investing in yourself, like putting it down and hoping for the best, because as an actor, there’s only so much you can do. And this is what I would tell a new actor: You might not get picked because they were envisioning a blonde girl or they were envisioning someone with red hair, and that’s not your fault. You just have to put yourself out there, invest in yourself, and then that way, it can be the best for you.
Yitzi: Noa, because of the platform that you’ve built and your great work, you’re a person of extraordinary influence. You have a lot of influence, and people take your words very seriously. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Noa: I would say, I am a very big feminist, and I just really believe in equality for everybody. I’m not sure why it is such a complicated idea to grasp, but as a woman in this industry, I’m just so thankful for the opportunities I’ve already had. If I could really put out something, it’s just that women can do anything they set their mind to. I know there are real barriers out there, but I hope we are getting to a place where we can keep fighting those and make room for women to become what they want to become.
I also think spreading positivity would be my main thing, so doing whatever you’re passionate about, doing something that doesn’t feel like work. So for me, that’s acting, and I’m so keen on it because it’s what I want to do. So finding your passion, trying different routes, and being positive and confident while you’re doing that is the main story I really want to put out there. I really want people to know that men or women or however you identify, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Yitzi: We’re very blessed that prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this column. Is there a person in the world, in Canada or in the US, with whom you’d like to collaborate, have a power lunch, or have coffee? Because we could tag that person and maybe we could connect you.
Noa: Okay, so this is a long shot, but one of my idols that I look up to is Rachel McAdams. I have obviously seen her in all her movies including Mean Girls, The Notebook, and The Vow. Rachel just has such a big, broad, diverse movie range, and that’s exactly what I personally want to do.
I also really love Millie Bobby Brown. I’ve gotten my entire life that I look like her and when I go on TikTok live, people are like, “Oh, I thought it was Millie Bobby Brown.” And I am a huge fan of Stranger Things, so it’d be awesome to really connect with people like Billy, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink, or Noa Schnapp.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they watch these two movies that you’re in? How can they support you in any way? How could they follow you? How could they buy anything that you’re selling?
I am on Instagram and TikTok!
Backspot will be coming out in theaters on May 31st which I’m so excited about. And Olympians at Heart is on Prime Video.
Yitzi: Noa it’s been a delight to meet you. It’s been so delightful talking to you and meeting you, and I wish you continued success and blessings. I look forward to sharing the story with the world.
Noa :Yes, thank you so much. If ever there’s another opportunity or whatever, let me know.
Rising Star Noa DiBerto On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.