‘I told her it was going to be difficult’: EastEnders’ Rita Simons says her daughter Maiya, 17, won’t let her being deaf help ‘define’ her as she pursues her acting career
Rita Simons said her deaf daughter Maiya “doesn’t let her disability define her” and is following in her mother’s footsteps by pursuing an acting career.
The 17-year-old, who Rita, 46, shares with her ex Theo Silveston, is currently starring in BBC drama series Silverpoint.
Speaking to The Mirror, Rita shared how she frequently asks her daughter if the acting business, where work can be sporadic and uncertain, is what she really wants to do.
She said: “I keep asking her if she really wants this. I told her it’s going to be difficult, that she’s 46 and she still has to audition.
“But she loves it and she’s great at it. She’s deaf but fearless, she doesn’t let her disability define her.
Family: Rita Simons said her deaf daughter Maiya “doesn’t let her disability define her” and is following in her mother’s footsteps by pursuing an acting career
Career: The 17-year-old, who Rita, 46, shares with her ex Theo Silveston, is currently starring in BBC drama series Silverpoint
“Season 2 of Silverpoint is coming out and we’re hoping for a 3rd season so she’s doing brilliantly.”
Maiya plays Kaz in the drama, which follows a story about four children who go missing in the woods in 1997.
Rita, who is also the mother of Maiya’s twin sister Jamiee, is best known for her role as Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders, which she played from 2007 to 2017.
The soap star shared how she reminds her daughter that show business isn’t “an easy profession” and all actors face many setbacks.
Rita previously shared her excitement over her daughter’s role as the proud mum took to her social media writing last August:
“So proud to finally be able to tell you all that one of my babies @maiya.sammy will be appearing in a new sci-fi mystery #Silverpoint airing on @cbbc in 2022!
“She’s been away filming in Northern Ireland for months and I can’t wait to have her back!!! So very proud of this one!
“Big thanks to @daisyanddukesagency and the beautiful @soniaallam_casting #proudmama.”
Role: Maiya plays Kaz in the drama, which follows a story about four children who go missing in the woods in 1997
Soap icon: Rita is best known for her role as Roxy Mitchell on EastEnders, which she played from 2007 to 2017
Rita – who played Roxy Mitchell in EastEnders from 2007 to 2017 – married hairdresser Theo in 2004, but they separated in 2018, and their divorce was finalized in 2020.
The star said she used to vent her anger at the gym where she started boxing, insisting she’s not losing her temper today and that being away from her marriage has “softened” her.
Rita is still friends with Theo today but described their divorce process as “cold” and “clinical”.
She’s now found love with Ben Harlow, with whom she toured for a year in 2017’s Legally Blonde: The Musical, with the performer calling him “the most beautiful man in the world”.