Rising Stars: Meet Anna Lumley of Beverly Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Lumley.

Hi Anna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
If someone had told me years ago that I’d start acting one day, I probably would have stared them down and walked away.
Growing up in Poland, I often felt stifled—oppressed, even—by teachers who belittled rather than supported me. That constant fear of speaking silenced me. At age ten, I found my escape in dance. It became my voice. For five years, I competed in Warsaw and across Europe until I applied to an arts boarding school in California—and got in. I couldn’t have been more thrilled to leave my school in Poland behind and start a new chapter.
The arts academy was rigorous. Academic classes ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a quick lunch and then dance rehearsals, which often stretched until 10 p.m.—even on Saturdays. There wasn’t much time to socialize. I devoted any free moment to studying, knowing I wanted to apply to colleges in the U.S.

Fast forward to 2014: I’m graduating with a BFA in Dramatic Writing with Honors from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Writing became my second form of expression. I always had a passion for storytelling; I just needed to learn structure and refine my English. I worked daily to lose my accent and read two to three books a week. Being in a supportive academic environment, especially after what I experienced in Poland, felt like freedom.
During my time at NYU, I stayed active on the dance team. One day, someone mentioned the Brooklyn Nets dance team auditions. It felt like a long shot, but after four grueling days of cuts, I made the team. That moment changed everything. While dancing with the Nets, I returned to NYU to complete a Master’s degree in Literature, envisioning a future teaching writing and English.

The professional dance world opened unexpected doors into the entertainment industry. During my final year, I signed with a modeling agency and landed my first professional photoshoot—with Adidas.
Living in New York was unforgettable, but the call of California’s sun and warmth never left me. So, my best friend and I packed up and drove cross-country, not knowing what was next. I began tutoring full time—mainly English, but also math, biology, history, and AP classes. I worked closely with ESL students, teaching English from the ground up. But I missed performing and modeling, so I reached out to agencies and soon signed again.

That’s when my agent suggested commercial acting classes—something I had never explored. My first class was nerve-wracking. I had to stand in front of 15 people and speak. But I quickly discovered that when I was in character, I could shut everything else out. However, when answering the teacher’s questions as myself, I often froze. Still, I was hooked. I enrolled in more classes and joined a small studio in Santa Monica. I began booking smaller commercials and print modeling gigs, which allowed me to scale back on tutoring.
That acting class pulled me out of my shell. After taping a few strong scenes and completing a few projects, I signed with a theatrical agent. Then—COVID hit. Everything halted. I kept training through online self-taping classes and choreographed my own dances to stay creative. I was angry. I felt like I had just found something powerful—and it was ripped away. In the middle of the lockdowns, I booked my first feature film role, though the production was delayed due to the uncertainty.

As life resumed, I joined a theater-focused acting school. It introduced me to a whole new side of acting. Performing live again, working with challenging scripts from writers I admired—it reminded me of the thrill I felt dancing on stage. During this time, I took on nearly every side hustle imaginable: restaurant hosting, dog sitting, event work, more tutoring. It was hard to stay focused.
In October 2024, I made the leap: I committed to performing full-time. And it was worth it. I’ve danced at major events and in music videos, acted in web series, and performed in a live holiday show, to name a few. I still enjoy working events—especially in the tech world—but acting will always come first.

I’ve saved the most important part for last: my passion for animals and the reason I’m so drawn to art in the first place.
As artists, we’re given a platform—we have the power to be heard. Art can make people pay attention. One day, I hope to create a book, a film, or both—projects that become catalysts for animal activism. My love for nature and wildlife has always been my deepest source of inspiration. I’m at my best in the mountains or the forest—anywhere I can hear birdsong. I’ve been vegan for years, I volunteer at shelters, and I speak up for animals because it gives my life purpose.
It’s very easy to give up as a creative. Rejection is the norm. But I know that if I get to where I want to be, I’ll use that platform to make a real difference. And if I don’t… well, you’ll find me in the woods, writing in a private shelter surrounded by rescued cats and dogs.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d say yes and no. In the broader context of what’s happening in the world, I’ve been fortunate — but that doesn’t mean the path has been easy. I’ve had to work hard, stay focused, and learn to pivot when things didn’t go the way I hoped. Some opportunities fell through, but others showed up unexpectedly. Luck definitely played a role, and so did perseverance.
There were also people along the way who tried to undermine me, and I’ve had jobs that left me completely drained. So while I’ve made progress, there’s been no shortage of obstacles.
The biggest challenge, though, came when I was diagnosed with celiac disease at 22. It’s impacted my health in ways that continue to affect my day-to-day life. I often feel isolated because of it, and I honestly can’t remember what it feels like to be completely “normal.” It’s a condition that’s often misunderstood or brushed off, but it’s had serious effects on my energy, focus, and even my social life. It’s been a major source of anxiety and something I still have to navigate constantly. That, more than anything, has made the road less smooth.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently what they call a professional auditioner 🙂 I think I covered most of this above.
I’m also a full time mom to my cat Freddy – picture below.
And hopefully soon I’ll have enough freedom with my schedule to get involved in animal activism once again.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One of my all time favorite books is Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
I also like Charles Bukowski’s poetry

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alice_anusia/?hl=en
• Other: Portfolio : https://www.canva.com/design/DAGGuLFpaP4/zAkVVHJSmI-Y9TIs8oN-yw/edit?utm_content=DAGGuLFpaP4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Image Credits
Personal photo : @Matt_Kallish – makeup @makeup_by_kristine_

Two professional photos from the 8: @bamag.pictures makeup: @kingajetkowskamakeup