I’d like to start a ’’Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle’’ movement
With Actress Karin Brauns
“Find what you love and let it kill you. Let it drain from you your all. Let it cling onto your back and weigh you down into eventual nothingness. Let it kill you, and let it devour your remains. For all things will kill you, both slowly and fastly, but it’s much better to be killed by a lover.”
This quote might sound pretty deep, but when it comes to being an artist, things gets deep sometimes. It reflects on how many things in life can weigh you down. You don’t know what tomorrow is gonna look like or how and when you’re gonna die so do what you love, surround yourself with people who puts a true smile on your face, do things you’re passionate about and makes you feel alive. Don’t end your days regretting what you didn’t achieve or do.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Karin Brauns. Karin is a Los Angeles based actress, originally from Sweden who came by herself to the states 6 years ago in hopes of pursuing the ‘’Hollywood dream’’.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I always had a rich imagination and ever since I was a little girl I’ve always dreamed of going places and putting myself in others shoes. Like all we do all day as kids is to play. We play with our toys pretending they are real, creating different scenarios, characters and telling stories. I used to love going to the theatre and watch movies on the big screen and then after pretending being one of the characters from the movie I just watched. I have always been curious about many things in life and acting has allowed me to experience many lifetimes in one lifetime by taking on different roles. I guess I never want to stop playing or just simply not grow up.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
Almost 2 years ago, I was hanging out with my friends and their kids in Orlando. The little girl wanted me to draw something for her, so I drew a white unicorn with a little princess in a purple dress and gave to her. About six months later I got cast to play a medieval girl who is chasing a unicorn in hopes to get her wishes come true. A few weeks later when I was working on set I got a photo sent to me from them of the drawing I did. just looking at the image made my hair stand on end. Because there I was in my purple dress next to my white unicorn looking at my almost identical drawing. Talking about crazy manifestation!
Maybe I should continue my little drawings and hope it will lead to another future dream role.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Forgetting that you’re wearing a mic or that the mic is switched off. Especially when you go for a bathroom break. Always be aware of your mic when the camera isn’t rolling!
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Being an actor you never really know what will happen next! That’s what I kind of love about it. It can feel like a complete stand still sometimes or other times it just flows.. I just had two feature movies released that I’m excited about. Right now I’m focusing on auditions and working on my craft. I can’t say more, you will have to wait and see.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
The most interesting person I’ve interacted with was Paul McCartney. I was staying at the Four Seasons in Vancouver. Went down the gym in the afternoon, it was completely empty. While sitting on the leg press machine a big bouncer walked in, behind him Paul. He walked straight to the treadmill. I’m usually not good at recognizing famous people and always humble when I meet ‘’big named people’’ but this one was something special. I texted my partner who convinced me to walk up and talk to him.. so I did. I told him ‘’Excuse me Sir, I usually don’t talk to strangers but are you who I think you are? he susceptibly answered ‘’who do you think I am darling?’’ me: ‘’ The legend himself, Sir Paul McCartney’’ he broke out in laughter shaking my hand and a very giving conversation started. He is a very nice guy.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Don’t take any shit from anyone. It can be hard not compare yourself to others and I don’t know how many times I’ve been rejected, all you here is ‘’no, no no’’, ‘’You’re not good enough’’, ‘’you don’t have the right look’’ etc etc.. Don’t take no for an answer, one day eventually it will happen. Owning everything about yourself and being brave enough to expose it and to just be you. trust that you are enough. Own it. Believe it and don’t lose focus.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Perhaps, ’’Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle’’ movement 😛
Oh I don’t know.. If I created one it would be a blend of all the global environmental topics and animal rights, free love and me too movement all combined into one! These are topics that interests me and needs to be heard.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- To be patient and staying strong. As an actor, we live in a world where we are judged on how we look, what we sound like and how believable we are in a given role. It can be draining time to time. Even if we interact with a lot of ‘’Smiling happy faces’’ out there, getting depressed and feeling anxiety is common for a lot of actors and artists.
- Always learn, stay focused, keep sharp, develop additional skills, and stay current. Be open to taking selective classes or seminars.Training never ends.
- Always be open for a change and take risks. If something doesn’t work be open to change it up, try something new. Listen to experienced people around you and soak in what they say. You have to be open to criticism.
- Engage and support others in the industry. Whether you’re searching for jobs or friends, building a support system is one of the cornerstones of success.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Find what you love and let it kill you. Let it drain from you your all. Let it cling onto your back and weigh you down into eventual nothingness. Let it kill you, and let it devour your remains. For all things will kill you, both slowly and fastly, but it’s much better to be killed by a lover.”
This quote might sound pretty deep, but when it comes to being an artist, things gets deep sometimes. It reflects on how many things in life can weigh you down. You don’t know what tomorrow is gonna look like or how and when you’re gonna die so do what you love, surround yourself with people who puts a true smile on your face, do things you’re passionate about and makes you feel alive. Don’t end your days regretting what you didn’t achieve or do.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My Mom Liliana. Both of my parents are the sweetest easy going humans alive. I left Sweden when I was only 18 years old, I went off to Greece and then moved to England, New Zeeland, Australia to eventually end up in United states. It’s never easy to leave your family and your roots. Sometimes I look back on my life and thinking ‘’how the heck did I do that’’ I guess when you’re young and hungry and starting from zero everything is possible. My mother never tried to hold me back or tried to make me fit in with the rest, never gave me any guilt for leaving. She always supported me (accept when I was playing rugby and constantly returned home with concussions and a serious broken collar bone in the end) I do understand why now and thank god for that. Until this day no matter where I am on this planet she’s the first one I call when I need advice. Every time I see my parents it feels like Christmas, luckily that happens at least twice a year.
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Oh, I would need to host a big breakfast buffet to invite all the big names I’d love to meet, there’s so many incredible motivational Americans out there that has truly inspired me, but If it has to be one I wouldn’t mind grabbing a coffee with Steven Spielberg. His life story and work is very inspiring, I would like to know more what’s going on in his head.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Of course! Instagram is the platform I use the most, it’s KarinBrauns, the same with my public page on Facebook or homepage www.karinbrauns.com