Meet Ana of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana.

Hi Ana, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I was always passionate about arts – specifically acting and music. I was born in Ukraine but mainly raised in Paris where I did a lot extracurricular activities such as musical theatre, dance, gymnastics etc. The school I attended didn’t highlight arts but mainly pushed their students to pursue law, economics, business – basically everything that was the opposite of arts. I wasn’t exposed to many artists and had a lot of insecurities when it came to my music. Nevertheless, I still knew that I wanted to go into entertainment. After high school, I went to college in Boston where I studied acting and did music as aa side passion. I always saw myself pursuing an acting career first and then focus on music. I had way too many insecurities in terms of my singing voice, my writing, my vision etc so I kept my music more under the wraps and had trouble writing due to my brain constantly comparing myself to others. But I was also a “fake it till you make it” type of person and I wanted to prove to my parents that I was serious about this career choice and that I would somehow make it. So I led my pursuit of this career with a LOT of networking. Trying to find the right people who would align with my art and open doors for me. One thing led to another and all of a sudden music became my primary focus. It took one person that I met to validate my talent and all of a sudden I began writing songs left and right and allowing myself to create without the fear that it would all lead to nothing. Now I live in LA, and although acting is not something I will ever drop, my focus is on music and I have my first debut album coming out November 7th!

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?
Yes and no! It was “smooth” because I got very lucky with the people that I got the chance to work with. But overall, the process of actually getting here definitely had its ups and downs. My parents weren’t very supportive about this so a lot of the stress just came from not having a solid support system as I embarked on this journey. In terms of making the album, it was both stressful and fun. It was a dream come true to see my songs come to fruition and to work with people that I aligned with, but scheduling wise it would often be complicated. I was graduating and had to leave LA for a little bit, my producers had busy schedules as well, so we all had to work around everyone’s schedules. I was adamant about releasing the album in the Fall 2024 so I told everyone we had around 3 months to make that happen…. that god it didn’t because it would not have been as good. I think most of the struggles just come from personal reasons as well. Now that I am out here, I am surrounded mostly by musicians and seeing everybody’s talent makes me question my own sometimes. It is also such a big social media game and I have been posting multiple times every day to promote and some days you’re like “what’s the point?”. Also, I am international, so everything I do is with the goal to get an Artist Visa this upcoming year. So overall, there are a lot of various factors that make it a less smooth road. But…I always remind myself that I should feel grateful that the stress and anxieties that come along the way come from me pursuing something I love and chose. Looking back at where I was and where I am now, and how much further I have to go is more satisfying and sparks so much excitement that over rules any stress I have along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a musician and actor. I studied acting in college while pursuing music on the side but music has become my primary focus. I was born in Ukraine, raised in France and moved to LA a little over a year ago. I have released four songs from my upcoming debut album, ‘Tainted Silhouettes’ which will be out November 7th. I love psychology and am more emotion driven which really drove this album. I was going through two heartbreaks when I was writing the songs and when it came to the production side my only note was “make it big, make it cinematic, but raw — like all the intangible emotions became tangible”. I wanted to speak to those with sensitive souls, who feel big, who introspect and who dig deeper under the surface. I am most proud of who I’ve become throughout the whole process. I was so attached to a certain roadmap: pursue acting then make music. That was how I envisioned my map since I was young. I was so scared of that map being shaken up. I didn’t feel ready, I didn’t feel like a “real” musician. I felt like I was just someone who was going through something and knew how to press some keys and formulate some pretty sentences. I remember how my step mom ones told me “you are an amazing actress, but music is where your soul lies”. I always carry that sentence with me when I doubt my capabilities and potential. I am proud of how much I have grown and the obstacles I went through on a personal level to get here. I am proud that I trusted my gut and instincts but also made mistakes along the way. Everyone that I call a friend or who has worked with me has influenced who I am and my work and I wouldn’t be here without the right people by my side. It’s funny cause I always thought that there was something about me that set me a part, that “IT” factor. Whether it was my cultural background, or my spirituality, or that I want to make introspective, emotional yet cunty songs… The more I grow up and change, the more I ask myself who I am and what it is that sets me a part. But I guess that maybe it is that: the constant change. I don’t want people seeing me in one way, one brand. I want to be unexpected but reliable, I want to push people to think, but to also feel and crash out. I want to make music and act, but I also want to have a business. Whether it’s through my art or through conversation with me, I just want to connect with people.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
hmmm I think everyone views me in different ways. Which I used to hate but have learned to love. Due to that, I think some things might come as a surprise to some but not to others. I guess people are surprised when I tell them I used to get bullied in middle school. Another thing might be that people usually say that I am pretty unhinged — and I guess I am — but I actually think things through a lot. I love living life and not viewing things too seriously, but underneath the it’s actually the opposite. I am very thoughtful when it comes to what I do and say and a lot of my actions are led by intention and not chaos.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://analuna.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/analunaofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnaLunaOfficial
• Twitter: https://x.com/officialanaluna
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialAnaLuna
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialanaluna

Image Credits
Noah Hoffman (@conversingwithaliens)