Today we’d like to introduce you to Elke Kahler
Hi Elke, 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?
Born and raised in the hinterland of the beautiful Sunshine Coast in QLD, Australia. I spent my early years riding horses and motorbikes with my older brother on our family’s property and enjoying the surf, sun, and sand of Noosa’s stunning beaches. Sport was a huge part of my childhood, and I was lucky enough to try a large number. Netball and horse riding were the frontrunners until I switched to the Arts in high school.
My dad, being a musician, encouraged musical instruments from a very young age. I grew up playing guitar, saxophone, and piano, which led to a place in my high school Music Excellence Program. During those years, I fell in love with Drama and Public Speaking, topping the subject in grade 12, when I was also voted School Captain.
As a child, I was always quite tall for my age, so my parents suggested modelling, which I took to straight away. At fifteen, I decided to pursue the idea and haven’t looked back. Drawn to the camera, I am a natural performer or, as my mum likes to say, a drama queen.
Academia has always come easily. However, acting, particularly for film, is my first love. A move to the big city of Sydney in 2015 saw me navigating the industry while studying business management and marketing online, and working full time. In 2017 I decided to take my acting career more seriously and moved to LA, where I studied film acting for 6 months. I have worked consistently ever since. Acting, commercials, presenting, and modelling jobs keep my days and weeks filled with work that I love.
My relaxed, grounded, down-to-earth upbringing played a huge part in shaping the person I am today, and my personality radiates naturally onscreen in all of my work. I am passionate about all things food, fashion, fitness, and film and endeavour to work within the entertainment industry, incorporating all of these elements as much as possible. Entirely at home in front of the camera, I love bringing joy to my audience by making them laugh.
Bondi, Sydney, is where I called home after school ended and where I grew my career. I officially took the leap to relocate to LA last year, and after 1.5 years of visa struggles, I am now modeling, doing commercial work, and TV hosting. My career is starting to take off, and it is very exciting to see all my hard work leading me in the direction I’ve been aiming for.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. After moving to Sydney, it took 5 years to build up to full-time work in front of the camera (my dream when I first moved there). As my ultimate goal was to live and work in LA, I was thrilled to eventually discover I was eligible for the O1 talent visa. I began the application process in 2022, but it took until the end of 2023 for official approval. With many hurdles and roadblocks along the way, I found it far more complex and costly than I had ever imagined. Constant trips from LA back to Sydney were necessary so I could continue to work and support myself. All the while, however, I never gave up on my dream. Even with the visa in place, it hasn’t been easy. LA is a very expensive place to live, and as an Australian, every step has been difficult. Starting fresh in a whole new industry has been a huge undertaking. Progress initially was slower than I would have liked, and I’ve had to take up side jobs along the way. It’s like a step back in my career, and without conviction and self-belief, I wouldn’t have made it this far. Now, though, things are moving in the direction I’ve been working towards, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a model, actress, and print/commercial talent. I have modeled for 13 years and am known for being the face of Qantas Airlines. Amazon showcases my image on Australian buses, and I’ve worked with major brands such as Commonwealth Bank, NutriBullet, Penguin Books, Hyper, Selfie Leslie, and many, many more. Since being based in LA, I have modeled for a bunch of big brands – Bad Birdie, Callaway Golf, Top Golf (I may have found a niche in the golf industry haha), Selfie Leslie, Herbalife, Hop WTR, and Reef. I’ve just shot my first US commercial for NutriBullet, and I’m currently a host for Live Play Bingo, which is sharpening my live hosting chops to pursue my dream career in TV hosting.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Throughout 2020 and 2021, life in Sydney was locked down pretty heavily, and in the process, I learned to be present, live life one day at a time, and to hug my loved ones. I’ve also learned not to take anything for granted. Time is our greatest commodity, and it’s essential to absolutely make the most of life. Lastly, slowing down to notice and appreciate the little things is far more important than I ever realized.
Pricing:
- Please email [email protected] for all bookings and rates.
- Repped in the US by Evolve Artists Agency and Evolve Models
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @elkekahler
- Other: Tik tok – @elkekahler
Image Credits
Red background – suit photos : Skylar Hart
