Meet Kitiya Skye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kitiya Skye.

Kitiya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Eastern Europe (in Riga, Latvia) and moved with my family to Toronto, Canada at the age of four. I went to university in Canada and after graduating accepted a job at a top advertising agency in Toronto (which was known as “The Most Awarded Agency Network in the World”), before moving to New York City to work at a premier global agency on national television, print and digital campaigns for multinational prestigious brands.

After six years of working (and playing) in NYC, I decided to pull a complete 360 and move to Los Angeles to pursue the entertainment industry. I just fell out of love with advertising and life is too short not to spend your days doing something you love! I am now a full-time actress who pursues my new career with intense focus and determination.

Between film, TV, and commercial projects, I’m an enthusiastic foodie and adventure seeker! I love to surf, try out new restaurants in Los Angeles, and travel to absorb the culture in different parts of the world!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I first moved to California, it felt like there was some kind of “LA initiation” I had to pass. While it’s always been a dream of mine to live and work in LA my first six months were definitely tough, and that’s coming from a New Yorker!

For the first six months, it felt like the universe was conspiring against me, lol. For example; I moved during a period where it rained everyday nonstop (very weird and unseasonal for LA) and during my first week I got into a (minor) bike accident when a driver hit me and knocked me off my bike.

That evening I went home to shower and discovered there was a major leak in my roof which resulted in three months of home repairs. That mixed with trying to nurture my relationship, pursue a brand new career (from scratch) which included training, meetings, and auditions in a city where I hardly knew anyone and didn’t have many contacts or friends.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’m a full-time actress, so my day to day includes attending various acting classes- everything from improv to scene study to Meisner, going out on auditions and working on my own creative passion projects.

It’s very interesting for someone who used to work in advertising/branding/marketing to pursue acting because I approach my career in the same way that I would have approached my clients in the past. Except that now, instead of trying to advertise and sell a product or service, I’m the CEO of my own business- which is me: my look, talent, and skills as an actor. Now I’m the product I’m trying to promote and pitch.

That means looking at the overall package I’m selling through the eyes of my buyers, which are the agents, casting directors and directors and trying to make it as attractive as possible. I’m always thinking about ways that I can grow and improve to make myself more compelling in an extremely competitive market; such as taking specific classes, learning new skills and updating my marketing materials.

My previous experience working on commercial sets also gives me the advantage of being comfortable in that environment and knowing what the clients and casting directors want and expect from the talent. I know exactly what goes on behind the scenes because I used to be the one picking the actors for commercials. So that definitely gives me a competitive edge.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
When I was considering moving to LA I reached out to woman who’s Airbnb I once rented while in Malibu for work. I remember we had really hit it off and I didn’t know many people in California. So I asked her to meet me for a coffee to just to chat and learn about her journey getting into and working in entertainment. She ended up hooking me up with my first industry job working as an Assistant to a top Hollywood director to gain experience into that world and then later with my first acting agent.

Fast forward to one year later, and it was this same woman who officiated my wedding.

She’s now one of my biggest cheerleaders and mentors. You never know who you’re going to meet or the monumental impact they may have on your life down the line!

My husband has also been immensely supportive of my career. At the end of the day, he’s always the one who has to read sides with me at 2 am, watch five billion self-tapes, help me craft pitches to my dream CD’s and talk me off the ledge after I’ve failed or been rejected. He’s on that rollercoaster ride with me.

Finally, I make sure to surround myself with positive and uplifting people. I try to have a little acting community where we all encourage and help each other. This is a very competitive industry, so it’s important to surround yourself with people who motivate and encourage you, and do the same back for them!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/kitiyaskye
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kitiyaskye
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9038624/

Image Credit:
Peter Konerko, Ben Duggan

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.