Today we’d like to introduce you to Ieva.
Hi Ieva, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi there! I’m Ieva Georges, actress, artist, former fitness competitor, and entrepreneur. My story begins in Klaipėda, a charming port city on the Baltic Sea in Lithuania. I was born into a household that embraced both discipline and adventure. My father was a marine engineer who traveled the world, and my mother was a track and field coach. My mom’s energy and athleticism definitely shaped who I am. She kept me moving, literally. I competed in everything from the 100 meter hurdles to long jump and high jump. Even our downtime meant jogging through the forest or cross country skiing. Sports taught me grit, a competitive spirit, and the importance of finishing what I started. That mindset has stayed with me through every chapter of my life.
In 1998, I competed in the Miss Lithuania pageant, which gave me a peek into the world of modeling and performance. Around the same time, I landed a role in The New Adventures of Robin Hood, an American TV show directed by Terry Marcel, filmed in Vilnius. That was my first real taste of acting, and I was hooked.
In 1999, I followed a dream that seemed almost impossible at the time, which was making a move to the United States. I barely spoke English, had little money, but I had a fire inside me. I landed in Chicago, enrolled at Act One Studios, and began learning the craft of acting. My first role in the U.S. was “Gertie” in “Fuddy Meers”, a play by David Lindsay-Abaire. I playing a woman who had a stroke and couldn’t speak clearly. It was kind of perfect, because I couldn’t speak English clearly either! 🙂 At the same time, fitness was still a major part of my life. I’d already competed in fitness shows in Lithuania, and when I moved to United Stated, I continued competing. In 2002 I won Miss Galaxy in Orlando, Florida, a show founded by George Snyder (fun fact: Tory Wilson won that same title in 1999!). I also competed in NPC Nationals and worked as a fitness model at trade shows like Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic. I also worked as a personal trainer, helping people sculpt their bodies and boost their confidence, just like I had to do for myself.
Eventually, I made the big leap to Los Angeles, California to pursue acting full time. One of the most intense chapters was training for a role in a Laila Ali (Muhammad Ali’s daughter) boxing film that never came to be. I trained like a machine for six months, boxing every day, adding muscle, braiding my hair like a warrior. I thought, this is it! I was ready to play the bad Russian chick, the female version of Drago from Rocky. Even though the film didn’t happen, that preparation taught me so much about myself. Since then, I’ve continued acting in film, TV, and theatre. Some of my favorite credits include Criminal Minds, the music video Gravity by Irish singer songwriter Yelpy, and the play “Orange Flower Water” by Craig Wright, directed by Christopher Comeau. In the music video Gravity, I played ‘The Captain’, a spacefarer navigating the emotional depths of love and loss. This sci-fi music video, directed by award winning filmmaker Jonathan Martin, premiered at the Dances With Films Festival on June 30, 2023, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The production featured contributions from industry veterans, including costume designers Clark Schaffer (Iron Man, Batman) and Troy Larson (V/H/S/99, Deadstream), as well as sound designer Patrick Hogan (Daredevil, The Punisher). The song “Gravity” was co-written by Yelpy, Jonathan Smith (known professionally as TheRealJonSmith), and Elyssa James, and produced by TheRealJonSmith at Native South Studios in Westlake Village, California. The video received a nomination for Best Independent Music Video at the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards. That opened a whole new door, and I went on to direct several Irish artist Yelpy’s videos, including Shout, which went on to win and get nominated at several indie film festivals.
Since 2009, I’ve been studying at Beverly Hills Playhouse, one of the top acting schools in Los Angeles. I’ve had the privilege to learn from incredible teachers like Allen Barton and Art Cohan, who have both challenged and inspired me to go deeper in my work. At BHP, it’s not just about performance, it’s about building a professional attitude, understanding the business side of the craft, and staying committed to your growth. We work on everything from stage technique to scene study, and I love that I get to explore so many different characters in a safe, creative space. The school really teaches you how to take ownership of your career, both artistically and professionally.
Today, I’m continuing to pursue projects I truly believe in, both in front of and behind the camera. I have another music video with the artist Yelpy in the pipeline and a short film in development.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was moving to the U.S. completely on my own, without speaking a word of English. It was overwhelming at times, trying to find my place in this huge, fast paced culture. But I got creative. I learned English by listening to Anthony Robbins’ Get The Edge 8 CD series while driving around Chicago. Memorizing acting scripts, translating plays, and watching loads of American films helped me find not just the language, but also the rhythm of how people express themselves here. I never took a single English class, I learned by doing, and that experience shaped how I approach everything.
Another major challenge, and also a blessing, has been balancing my artistic side with my entrepreneurial drive. I live in both worlds, and while they don’t always speak the same language, I’ve found a way to get them into harmony – like two instruments in the same song, each adding something unique and essential. My creativity brings fresh energy and vision to my business projects, while the focus and discipline of entrepreneurship help ground my artistic goals. One day I’m working on a character, directing on set, or painting in my studio, the next, I’m reviewing supplement formulas or overseeing contracts. It’s a constant switch, but I’ve trained myself to flow between these roles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an actor, I’m passionate about character driven storytelling, I love diving into roles that let me explore strength, vulnerability, and all the emotional layers in between. Acting lets me step into different worlds and live a hundred lives in one. Fitness has also been a huge part of who I am. As a former competitor and lifelong fitness professional, it’s something that keeps me grounded and sharp, mentally, physically, and creatively. That discipline shows up in everything I do.
I own Vyotech Nutritionals, a sports supplement company committed to providing clean, healthy formulas free from artificial colors and fillers. Our goal is to deliver effective, high quality products that support muscle growth, fat loss, recovery, and overall wellness, helping individuals reach their full fitness potential.
In addition to that, I also manage Native South Studios and Native South Records. Native South Studios, located in Westlake Village, California, is a state of the art multimedia facility that brings together artists, musicians, filmmakers, and performers under one roof. It’s a space where we produce music, record voice overs, ADR, host and record live music events. We also have a podcast studio. We’ve had the pleasure of working with notable figures like David Duchovny (X-Files / Californication), comedian Craig Shoemaker, and other celebrities who film their podcasts here. Some of our clients include Netflix and the History Channel. Native South Records, on the other hand, is focused on discovering and nurturing new musical talent.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is staying grounded in my faith in God, that’s the foundation everything else is built on. It guides my values, my decisions, and how I treat people. Kindness, integrity, and meaningful relationships all flow from that. I believe in showing up with honesty, keeping my word, and doing my best, whether it’s in business or in life. At the end of the day, it’s about living with purpose, staying true to what I believe, and being someone others can count on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4989352/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ievageorges
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IevaGeorges
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ieva-georges-13622790/
- Twitter: https://x.com/IevaGeorges/status/1484379642899283971
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/XXmtokcBXpQ?feature=shared
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/native-south-studios-thousand-oaks?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
- Other: https://www.vyotechusa.com
