Meet Trailblazer Anne Bergstedt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Bergstedt.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Anne. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
A self-described multi-hyphenate, my life has been “a series of events that looking back, all connect now but seemed like chaos at the time”, if I may quote Joe Walsh!

I started my performing arts career as a Dancer. Ballet, Modern dance, competitive dance, all of it. I was really committed to it and disciplined by it. Dance governed my life in ways that still remain intact today and serve their purpose daily. From there I graduated over into studying Drama, Theatre and eventually went to New York to train as an actor at both Juilliard and Lee Strasberg Institute. Using my movement background, I’ve spent most of my adult life working as a professional Stunt-Double and Actress and more recently, began to pursue my passion project, which was playing music for others. This has manifested in a variety of ways. I have been a part of an LA-based collective of female Selectors who spin vinyl, I’ve worked in FM LA radio and now produce and host my own show on Long Beach Public Radio, 99.1 KLBP called “Umami Radio.”

Has it been a smooth road?
Stay true to who you are and let no one advise you otherwise, ladies! Working as a model when I was a teenager and in my early-twenties – this lesson was indispensable. You’re constantly shifting your outer identity in many ways in the performing arts. Whether as a dancer, a model, an actress. But you must keep your guts to yourself. If you know what I mean?! It was never a smooth road. Only recently, with age, time and some experience under my belt do it get easier to understand the path, though. There’s the silver lining. I have been working with the Model Alliance since 2012, a Union in New York that advocates for equal labor rights for young models in the business and last year we signed the Time4Respect Act. This template implements open communication, wage transparency, fair working hours, and a safe outlet for models to voice their concerns.

As a DJ, working in radio or spinning a set in a club, at an event, wherever – the same obstacles have popped up. It’s a boy’s club in a lot of ways. I’m actively working hard to bridge the gap between the male to female ratio in these positions by doing it myself, and supporting other talented females in these fields of work.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am most proud of my most recent path in life – that of a Yoga Teacher. For me, it combines all of my favorite elements I have been working on my entire life. Movement guides the physical aspect, while I use Music as a secondary player in the show. Most of all, it reminds me to “be a Yogi” in all of my jobs. Whether I am acting in a film, training for a body double role, or DJing and bringing music to the public – I do everything with more passion, love, and intention as a Yogi. Energy is everything.

With Yoga, I love collaborating and training with humans from all walks of life. From performing artists with chronic issues to folks in recovery looking for a new skill set. It is an honor to be able to share my story, and self-expression through the practice of Yoga.

As a DJ, I am proud of my station – KLBP, 99.1 Long Beach Public Radio for showcasing talented and lesser-known producers. For giving us a platform to bring our personality to the mix and share with the public.

As an actress, I am proud of my most recent work with Finnair, where we shot a film in Helsinki last Summer called “East Meets West Side Story”. It premiered at the Helsinki airport last fall and was the first film to ever premiere inside an actual working airport. My Pilot Grandfather would’ve been proud of that one for sure!

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Yes, my Grandmother was an actress in the 1940s under the stage name Jean Carlin. She always taught me about patience, perseverance, sticking to your guns and moral backbone, ALWAYS.
That was requisite before I ever set off on any of my creative endeavors.

I mentioned before dance inspired discipline, while modeling taught me to not take any sh*t, and lastly acting and the stage gave me confidence and an ability to wear a mask in a role. All of these tools have informed my adult life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AnneBergstedt.com
• Email: anneispersona@gmail.com
• Instagram: @thehitchcockbrunette / @yogionwax

Image Credit:
Meghan D’Evelyn, Marvin Giovanni, Grant Van Amburgh

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