Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Summer
Hi Victoria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Well I suppose the pivotal moment in my early life was when I was eleven years old and I went to America with a friend’s family for the first time – Los Angeles no less… a complete change to England’s countryside town of Berkshire. It was during that trip I decided “one day I’m going to live here.”
After a scholarship to stage school in London, a 2:1 degree in Dance and Musical Theatre, I was performing on the west end stage. That was fun… but Hollywood beckoned after my first UK movie role and I packed two suitcases and took a three month trip to LA. I found a way to stay, I got a visa and I embarked on a new life, new friends, same career but completely different ball game. It was a challenge, it’s shaped me for the better and I’m proud of my accomplishments.
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. I’m forever grateful for all my struggle. You learn nothing from success but you learn everything from failure. I’ve truly failed at every area of my life – many, many times but I’ve been lucky enough to realise that and didn’t make the same mistakes.
My main initial struggle was with words and really understanding how to be a good student. Most of my schooling I walked around in a cloud, I was often blank in my classes and never used a dictionary. Sometimes I look back and think it’s a wonder I ever got GCSE’s, A-levels and a degree! Now when I get a script, I firstly make sure I understand every word on the page.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an actor and a singer and I have been involved in the Arts since I was three years old and it remains a big passion of mine. I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to make a career for myself doing what I love.
I’m best known for my breakout role as ‘Julie Andrews’ in Disney’s ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ opposite Tom Hanks and a supporting role in Paramount Pictures’ ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ (Michael Bay). I’ve since appeared in ‘Garlic and Gunpowder’ (Vivica A. Fox/Martin Kove/Michael Madsen), ’Game of Aces’ (Chris Klein), ‘Ratpocalypse’ (Casper Van Dien), musical movie ‘How Sweet Is It’ (Erika Christensen/Joe Piscopo) and ‘Glow and Darkness’ (Jane Seymour/Denise Richards).
My latest movie ‘Vindication Swim’ broke the top 20 in the UK box office and I won an award for ‘best supporting actress’. When not on a film set, I headline major events for prestigious organisations like Pacific Life, BMW, and 20th Century Fox. Singing with my big band for the Centennial Anniversary Celebration of the Biltmore Hotel LA as ‘The Biltmore Girl’ was a recent career highlight. I also work as global ambassador for Teen Cancer America and host ‘Tea with Victoria Summer’ events for the charity with leading luminaries like Sheryl Crow, Alfie Boe, and Downtown Abbey’s Lesley Nicol.
Artists create effects on their audience – whether it’s bringing to light important topics or insights, characters or stories – I particularly love to uplift people, either acting or singing. Specifically, singing live with my big band has brought a lot of joy and creative satisfaction. I have also recorded my first big band single in the studio and I’m very excited to release that.
I’m proud that when I set my mind on doing something, I make it happen; whether that’s acting in a movie, working in the studio as a recording artist or performing on stage in front of an audience. I can dream big and make those dreams real and that’s fun!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Acting particularly in Los Angeles has had major shifts in the last four and a half years and you have to keep up!
Firstly there was covid where actors where expected to get immunised to get to work and at the same time self tapes took off and actors where hardly going in the room anymore. I predict self tapes are here to stay but would love to get back to being in the room!
Shortly after covid was the writers strike, then the actors strike so it’s just been one thing after another. You could say the industry has experienced a major shift!
I’m just lucky that I also sing, do commercials and voiceover work. Turning my hand to many artistic endeavours has been hugely in my favour.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.victoriasummerentertainment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VictoriaSummer
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/VictoriaSummerEntertainment
- Twitter: https://x.com/victoriasummer
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@officialvictoriasummer
- Other: https://www.victoriasummer.com
Image Credits
Don Sercer, Jackie Gallardo, Katerina Hung, Elizabeth Elder, Luke Ayers
