Meet Erica Papasergi of Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Papasergi.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up on a small island in Italy, far from Hollywood, but with a dream that started early: to become an actress.
What began as a childhood passion soon brought me to theatre stages across Italy, where I performed in productions that earned recognition in local newspapers.

In 2019, I crossed the ocean and moved to Los Angeles, determined to give that dream a chance.
For three years, I trained at the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory under Michelle Danner, dedicating myself to the craft and learning to push beyond my limits.

Obtaining my O-1 visa marked an important turning point, opening the door to more opportunities to work on set and bring stories to life.
Today, my journey moves between Italy and Los Angeles.
Although my world has grown far beyond the island where it all began, the passion that started there remains at the heart of everything I do.

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?
Moving to Los Angeles from a tiny island in Italy meant leaving behind everything familiar and starting from zero on the other side of the world.
I arrived on a student visa, knowing absolutely no one, carrying a dream that often felt bigger than my circumstances.
Between paying tuition, rent, and everyday expenses, I had to work incredibly hard just to stay afloat while pursuing acting.
There were moments when the financial pressure and uncertainty became so overwhelming that I questioned whether I could make it at all.
Walking away crossed my mind more than once, but the support of my friends and family, combined with a determination I didn’t know I had, kept me going.

Then came the reality of the acting industry: the auditions, the constant rejection, and the silence that often followed.
It was difficult not to take it personally or wonder whether I was good enough.
There were times when I felt stuck, exhausted, and unsure if all the sacrifices were worth it.
But slowly, I learned that rejection didn’t define me, and that perseverance meant showing up even when nothing seemed to be working.
Looking back, those difficult years changed me profoundly.
They taught me resilience, independence, and the courage to keep believing in myself when things felt impossible.
Today, I know that some of the most important steps in my journey were the moments when giving up seemed like the easiest option, and I chose not to.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an Italian actress working between Italy and Los Angeles, with a background in theatre, film, and television. I discovered my passion for acting at just four years old, and what began on the stages of a small Italian island has grown into an international career. Over the years, I’ve trained under Michelle Danner, worked across different productions, and even explored the other side of the craft as an acting coach.

What I love most about acting is the opportunity to step into someone else’s world, explore the complexity of human emotions, and tell stories that make people feel something. I’m drawn to characters with depth, contradictions, and vulnerability, because I believe the most compelling performances come from finding the humanity in every role.

What I’m most proud of is the journey it took to get here. I worked hard from a young age to make my dream of moving to Los Angeles a reality, and I built my career through persistence, sacrifice, and a willingness to keep learning. Having experienced both the European and American entertainment industries, I bring a multicultural perspective to my work.

I think what sets me apart is my resilience, adaptability, and genuine love for the craft. I understand that acting is not just about what happens in front of the camera, but also about collaboration, preparation, and the energy you bring to a set. I strive to be someone people enjoy working with, while always pushing myself to grow as an artist. For me, this journey has never been just about becoming an actress; it’s about continually discovering new ways to tell meaningful stories.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is being on set, doing what I feel I was born to do. There is something almost impossible to explain about the energy of a film set: the quiet anticipation before a scene, the words “action,” and suddenly, for a few moments, an entire world comes to life. Everything else disappears, and I feel completely present, completely alive.

But what makes it truly meaningful is knowing that someone has trusted me to tell a story. Maybe that story will make someone laugh after the hardest day of their life. Maybe it will make someone feel understood, bring back a forgotten memory, or remind them that they are not alone. I love the idea that something we create in one place, with a group of people who may never even meet the audience, can touch a stranger somewhere in the world.

That is what makes me happiest: not simply being an actress, but being part of something that can make people feel. The magic of this job is that, while I spend my days pretending to be someone else, I often feel more connected to myself than anywhere else. And every time I step onto a set, I am reminded of why I chose this life in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12437964/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericapapasergi?obrf=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Michael Roud Photography