Luisa Bradshaw-White, best known for her role as Tina Carter on EastEnders, has candidly shared her difficult journey after leaving the popular BBC soap. The actress revealed that her mental health took a serious toll during her time in the entertainment industry, leading to a stay in a psychiatric hospital. She admitted that she “nearly didn’t survive” the battle, but has since found healing through a new career as a dance teacher and DJ.
Luisa, who was tragically written off EastEnders in December 2020 when her character Tina was murdered by serial killer Gray Atkins, has shifted her focus from acting to creating “musical journeys” in Wendover Woods, Chiltern Hills. Her new venture combines dance and breathwork ceremonies, offering an outlet to process her emotions and connect with others.
Opening up on Instagram, Luisa explained how the demands of showbiz left her unable to properly process her emotions, leading to serious mental health struggles. “I used to be an actor so I had a place to put those big feelings: but it didn’t feel like where I was supposed to be,” she wrote alongside a make-up free selfie. “I also tried to suppress those big feelings and that led to a serious mental illness, psychiatric hospitals and something I nearly didn’t survive.”
The 47-year-old actress also shared how she has now embraced her emotions, rather than hiding them. “I don’t try to hide my big feelings. I know they are powerful indicators for how to live my life fully. When I go deep into those feelings with curiosity and love, I emerge with new wisdom and self-love,” she continued.
Luisa expressed that one of the most fulfilling parts of her new life is meeting people who share her passion for dance and breathwork. “My favourite thing about my life now is that I have found people like me who want to come and dance and breathe to feel all this too,” she said.
Before EastEnders, Luisa had an extensive career in television, with roles in Grange Hill, The Bill, Birds of a Feather, and Holby City. She shot to fame in 1988 as Herte in A Friendship in Vienna and had regular roles on several other popular UK dramas. Her departure from EastEnders was met with a mixed response from fans, especially following the controversial and lengthy storyline surrounding her character Tina’s death.
Now thriving in her new career, Luisa has found peace and purpose, proving that it’s never too late to reinvent oneself and prioritize mental well-being.
