Today we’d like to introduce you to Anina Net.
Hi Anina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! My journey into acting has been anything but traditional, but looking back, I realize it was always calling me. Recently I’ve been plunged into the world of short dramas, vertical dramas, or sometimes called micro dramas which are sweeping the world with their ultra fast paced 1-minute format. However, I started out as a high-fashion model, walking runways and starring in fashion films and television commercials. That path unexpectedly led me into a chance-encounter feature film—with a lead role written specifically for me in Italy. Much later I flew into a plane hijacking situation on the movie set of KG145, then tumbled my way into a high-adrenaline action film with Andy On, called Fury 12 Hours, tackling a stunt-heavy role in an explosive streaming movie. I spent four months in space travel on Wandering Earth II, finally landing my most recent role in the soon-to-be-released Ultimate Mission saving the world. My journey in film continues to take me to new locations, dimensions, challenges, and adventures—stretching how women are defined on screen.
But it wasn’t all that easy.
Looking back, I realize that acting had been pursuing me long before I actively pursued it. While modeling, I was often asked to make cameo appearances in films, playing myself as a model, their girlfriend, or being the muse of my acting friends. I excelled in it, but with my demanding Modeling schedule, I never took the time to fully commit to acting back then.
Then came my pivot into technology. I used it to accelerate my success in the fashion industry through social media, eventually becoming a leading voice in fashion tech. This led me to speak on some of the biggest global technology stages, where I unknowingly honed my storytelling abilities—a skill that would later become invaluable in my acting career.
But let’s go back to the feature film that changed everything.
One of my most defining moments happened in Italy when I was visiting the legendary Claudio Rocchi, a well-known musician. He handed me a script he had written 15 years earlier, telling me, “You are this woman in the film.”
When I read it, I was shocked—it was my story, my character, my way of life. It was as if the role had been waiting for me all along. I agreed to take on the lead role, spent three months learning Italian, and then filmed 10 intense days in Sardinia. It was a truly transformative experience where the story took over and came to life, becoming a legacy indie feature that toured Italy and gave me the confidence to take acting seriously.
Expanding into International Film was another adventure.
As my fashion technology career flourished alongside my modeling career, I was invited to China to play the President’s wife in a feature film about a plane hijacking, titled KG145: The Simulator. This was my first time fully embodying a character outside of myself, and the experience, which took place during COVID-19, was an epic adventure. The film, KG145, was finally released in theaters in China at the end of 2024 and has since won eight awards in film festivals overseas.
Entering the World of Action Films was always a dream of mine.
At this point, I had already developed a strong passion for action films. That led me to my first major action movie, FURY 12 HOURS, starring Hong Kong action star Andy On, where I played CIA agent Kimmy, who gets killed while rescuing a young girl rather than saving her own skin. This role pushed my limits—I had to handle firearms, get stabbed by a machete, and run through explosions. It was an adrenaline-pumping experience, solidifying my love for high-stakes, physically intense roles. However, I did not get much on-set training.
In order to prepare for action-heavy films like this, I committed to intensive stunt training, learning:🔥 Wire work⚔️ Sword fighting🔫 Gun handling and military tactical training for film. The stunt training I’ve received from Movie Martial Arts has been invaluable and equipped me with skills I use every time on set to stay safe.
Stunt training has changed my body and my mindset, expanding my ideas of what mature women actors can be-and do.
A Standout LA Premiere: DANK FRANK in Los Angeles.
I got the opportunity to fully showcase my newly trained stunt skills in Austin Hunza’s feature film, DANK FRANK. In this LA co-production, I played the Arconon Assistant, a powerful fashionista action role where I had to sedate the lead character and engage in an intense fight scene—one that I personally choreographed.
This project was special not just because of the cool stunt work, but also because it premiered in Los Angeles at the end of 2024 and is now set to be distributed on streaming platforms.
The Rise of Micro Dramas and Vertical Films is a baptism by fire experience!
While building my acting career, I have now found myself at the center of one of the biggest revolutions in film and television: Chinese short dramas, vertical dramas, and micro dramas. In 2024, these fast-paced, highly engaging productions have exploded onto the Los Angeles film scene, bringing a massive wave of opportunities for new talent to enter the market, providing female directors with frequent filming opportunities, and generating unprecedented revenue for producers like no other media format has in such a short period of time.
I have recognized that this is the next big evolution in film and TV, and I have jumped in with both feet. Since then, I’ve participated in over 30 micro dramas, many of which have become top-ranking global foreign vertical short dramas such as, “My CEO Stop Seducing Me”, “My Two-Faced Billionaire”, and “Ledgend of the White Wolf”. It is incredible how this vertical format is revolutionizing the industry—just as streaming did years ago—and I’ve seen its evolution firsthand, from low-budget experiments to high-quality productions within a matter of months.
Now, I’m balancing my work between auditioning for feature films, training for action roles, collaborating on short films, leveraging commercials and modeling to support my creative pursuits, and booking high-quality production Chinese micro dramas. I am ready to embrace this rapid evolution of modern storytelling in this incredible season where film and television are transforming rapidly. While I am also embracing virtual production and experimenting with AI for my personal projects, I am furthering my acting skills with old-school theater training, television training in New York with James Ciccone, and film training in Los Angeles wuth Anthony Gilardi. They have given me the tools in my acting toolbox to expand my reach and express my passion for acting.
However, it’s this shift of short drama tv series that is catering to the next generation of digital natives, where I’m excited to be at the forefront of the change. In any case, wheather it’s wirework in an action-thriller, an emotionally charged micro-drama, or a historical role in a feature film that pushes my limits, I’m always looking for the next adventure.
I’ve always followed the signs the universe has given me, and I know this is just the beginning of an even greater journey for me in film!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not! The road to becoming an actress, especially one transitioning from modeling and fashion technology, has been anything but easy. While many see the highlights—the roles, the premieres, the exciting projects—what they don’t see are the struggles, the sacrifices, and the persistence it takes to build a career in this industry.
One of the biggest challenges for me was shifting from silent communication in modeling to delivering lines and handling full scripts. Modeling is all about expressing emotions through movement and stillness, but acting requires an entirely different skill set—dialogue, memorization, and emotional nuance in spoken words. I had no formal training, so when my roles started getting bigger, I found myself struggling with scripts. I knew I needed proper training, so I turned to Anthony Gilardi Acting Studio in LA and James Cicconi’s Actors Axiom in New York—two outstanding professional training studios that gave me the tools to cope with complex characters. I also have sought out mentors—a seasoned actors who guide me, challenge me, and push me beyond my limits. These mentorships are invaluable and is the engine propelling me to where I am today.
➡️ Lesson learned: You need a toolkit and professional training to succeed.
Then, there’s the reality of working in the industry before becoming a household name. The truth is, when you’re not a superstar, you don’t get superstar treatment. Working on short dramas with limited budgets and young teams means I’ve had to anticipate every possible challenge—from bringing my own skin-colored long underwear to survive freezing sets, to packing my own food and healthy snacks to make sure I have enough to eat, to pushing through exhaustion due to long hours and little rest. This is all part of paying your dues. It’s what you do while honing your craft, building experience, and proving your commitment—so that when the big break comes, you’re not just ready, but unforgettable.
➡️ Lesson learned: Don’t leave your well-being to anyone else but you. Make sure you have a survival kit with everything you need to do a great job.
Navigating the world of stunt training was another test of endurance. I was lucky enough to have my first experience with top stunt professionals in a workshop—but I also had the unlucky experience of diving in at a level beyond my fundamentals. My first wire work choreography involved flipping 360 degrees in the air, landing on another stunt performer’s back, leaping off, and sprinting. I could do everything—except I had never learned how to land. I sprained my ankle badly, but I kept training, pushing forward despite the injury.
➡️ Lesson learned: You can never focus enough on the basics. The foundation is everything.
And then came filming during COVID-19—one of the most inconvenient times for the industry. Traveling for shoots, following strict protocols, and dealing with daily uncertainty made it incredibly stressful. What I had to keep in mind was safety—for myself, my colleagues, and the crew.
This perilous time changed the industry forever, shifting everything online—remote auditions, virtual workshops, and self-tapes became the new norm. My technology background proved invaluable, allowing me to adapt quickly while many struggled to adjust.
➡️ Lesson learned: Friends are the best asset you have when there’s an apocalypse.
The True Cost of Acting
Sacrifice exists in every profession, but for acting, the true cost is being available 24/7—no holidays, no breaks, no guarantee of seeing your family. It’s an incredibly high price to pay, one that Olympians, Nobel Prize winners, and world-changing entrepreneurs understand well. This imbalance requires a strong, steadfast mind to manage the exhaustion that can lead to negative thinking and mental burnout.
What helps? Surrounding yourself with amazing people. Having a team on set who are striving for the same dream. Having actor friends to train and play with, attending workshops, and staying close to people who are also pushing to be the best versions of themselves. Feeding your brain with good mental food—following people who inspire you, consuming content that uplifts you, and protecting yourself by being as prepared as possible on set.
➡️ Lesson learned: There are only 24 hours in a day, so what is the ONE THING you are going to focus on NOW to move you in the direction of your dreams?
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I am a storyteller and a creator. My journey has been anything but conventional, and that’s exactly how I like it. I thrive on pushing boundaries, adapting to new challenges, and constantly evolving—whether that means stepping into new roles, learning new skills, or embracing emerging forms of storytelling.
It never ceases to amaze me how film and television shape our future. We have cellphones because of Star Trek, we went to the moon because of Lost in Space, and we are entering a world of AI after being warned by Will Smith in I, Robot. I’m still waiting for the teleportation machines to be set up, thanks to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Cinema isn’t just entertainment—it imagines what’s possible and challenges us to move toward it. That’s why storytelling matters. It inspires, provokes, and often sets the course for what’s to come.
I am a communicator by nature, and I believe that diversity builds better companies, better products, and better communities. That’s why I strive to listen, learn, and understand different people and perspectives. I have worked across the world, which led me to learn six languages—from my time in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and China. I speak these languages because I want to communicate and connect with the world around us. My real-life experiences shape my acting work, allowing me to bring depth, authenticity, and a global perspective to the characters I portray.
I am not a bystander. I stand up for the weak, speak out for the silent, and draw a line in the sand when it comes to exploitation. I believe that having a voice means using it—and I will always fight for fairness, integrity, and respect in every space I step into.
One of the things I am most proud of is the impact I have on others. Over the years, many women have told me they got into technology because of meeting me or seeing what I built. Others have told me they found the motivation to step out of their comfort zones after watching me push myself—whether it was learning parkour, Muay Thai, or mastering new technology skills. That, to me, is the real power of visibility—not just playing roles, but encouraging action in real life.
I compete for what I want, and if someone else wins, I don’t back down—I learn from it and live to fight for what I want another day, in the spirit of good sportsmanship. That’s the mindset that keeps me moving forward.
My coach, James Ciccioni, always says, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” My teacher, Anthony Gilardi, reminds me, “No one can limit you but you. The only way to be typecast is by not expanding and becoming a better actor.” With people like this in my corner, how could I not succeed?
What sets me apart is my relentless drive for growth and reinvention. I don’t limit myself to one lane, one genre, or one identity. Whether it’s learning a new language, mastering a new skill, or exploring the latest in digital innovation, I believe that constant evolution is the key to longevity in this industry.
But above all, I’m someone who believes in protecting and uplifting those around me. My loyalty to my friends, my passion for my work, and my commitment to becoming better every single day fuel everything I do. I don’t just want to be part of the industry—I want to help shape it, redefine it, and leave behind a legacy of fearless, powerful storytelling.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is achievement—the ability to set goals, push my limits, and reach new milestones. It’s about seeing tangible results from my hard work, whether that’s mastering a new skill, completing a challenging project, or delivering an exceptional performance.
Success is health. Health is wealth—a healthy mind, body, and relationships are the foundation of success. Without them, no amount of money or recognition is sustainable. Very early on, I was lucky to be introduced to health food, vegetarianism, meditation, yoga, macrobiotics, naturopathy, and biohacking. These practices shaped my understanding that there is nothing that can replace health. It is health that gets you up in the morning to achieve—giving you the energy, clarity, and resilience to go after what you want.
For me, learning is success. I believe in self-education, and I am a self-taught person. If I want to learn something, I go out and learn it. Certificates are great because they show you’ve completed something and gained a new skill—and that’s a powerful motivator. But at the same time, accolades don’t define you. You can be highly skilled without them. What truly matters is what you know, what you can do, and how you apply it.
Financial success is also important—it provides freedom and choice. It allows me to invest in my craft, choose meaningful projects, and support the people and causes I care about. I wish I had listened to my father when he taught me about compound interest—I started late and only learned later about investing, the importance of having money work for you, and the value of saving. Now, I see financial success as a key driver to fueling my dreams and providing the means to educate myself. I believe everyone should learn about finances and how to manage their money—because this ability isn’t just about wealth; it’s about self-mastery. The way you handle your finances is a reflection of how you take control of your own life.
Success is also about professionalism and excellence. No matter what the job is—whether I have one line in a feature film, a monologue in a television show, wear a gown at a modeling gig, fix the AI-gibberish in a Short Drama dialog, or demonstrate a 3D printer in a television commercial—I perform with the same level of dedication and attention to detail. The reason I hold myself to such a high standard in every role is because I know that every opportunity is a stepping stone to something greater. I want to one day be cast as a lead in a feature film, play roles that may not be obvious for me, and be invited to perform in other countries—collaborating on stories that bring different perspectives to life.
And finally, success is about impact. I know I’ve succeeded when my work inspires others—when someone tells me they took up Muay Thai, parkour, or stepped into technology because they saw me pushing myself. That’s success—not just achieving for myself, but motivating others to push their own limits too.
Success is achievement in all its forms—health, financial independence, mastery, professionalism, and inspiring others. As long as I’m growing, excelling, and creating opportunities that lead me to the stories I want to tell, I know I’m on the right path—following the signs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anina.net/actress-model
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/aninanet
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/aninadressup
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/anina
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/aninanet
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anina_net
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anina.net
Image Credits
From left to right: 1. Headshot by photographer: Pedja, 2. B&W photo by Anina Net, 3. Screenshot from “A Billionaire Family”, 4. Poster from “The Ledgend of the White Wolf”, 5. Screenshot from A Billionaire Family, 6. Backstage Photo from Wandering Earth II Movie, 7. Backstage photo from “Movie Martial Arts”, 8. Backstage from “KG-145” Movie, 9. B&W photo by Anina Net, 10. Backstage photo from “Fury, 12 Hours” movie, 11. Running Screenshot from A Billionaire Family, 12. Portrait by photographer Jane Hu
