We recently connected with Beata Jutila and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Beata, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Talking about taking risks is something I genuinely enjoy because I believe that stepping out of your comfort zone is when life’s most amazing experiences happen.

I’ve always been someone who enjoys taking risks, and I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my family in trying new things. In the beginning, my risks were relatively small, like picking up random hobbies.

The most significant risk I’ve taken to date was moving across the globe to Los Angeles nearly three years ago to pursue acting and leaving everything I knew behind. However, I see it more as part of a chain reaction that began after I graduated from high school. At that point in my life, I felt somewhat lost because I wanted so many things all at once: pursuing acting and dance, traveling, studying, working, and enjoying the freedom to make my own decisions. However, I was struggling to make any decisions. Then, I stumbled upon a Nordic travel agency that was hiring, and I thought, “Why not?” I applied and, to my surprise, got hired. This meant leaving behind everything familiar and embarking on a journey that started in Greece and later took me to Thailand and Spain.

My almost two-year adventure with the travel agency was incredibly eye-opening. I worked in large family hotels as part of their entertainment team, where my responsibilities included hosting evening shows, leading mini discos, running kids’ clubs, and teaching dance. After returning home from my time abroad, I thought I had life all figured out. Quickly I realized that I was still not brave enough to follow my dreams, and I tried to find a more traditional path, but it didn’t work out. I was unhappy and could not stop thinking about “what if.”

Life has a funny way of nudging us in the right direction. While working two jobs, I realized that my current path was not aligned at all with what I wanted to do in life and I was reminded that we all have just one life, and we should not waste it doing things that make other people happy but make us miserable. I decided it was time to give my dreams a real shot, and that’s how I found myself in Los Angeles. I applied to a school here in LA, got accepted, sold all my belongings, and relocated to LA. It’s been nearly three years, and I have no regrets about any of the moments I’ve experienced along this incredible journey. So, my most significant risk in life has been absolutely worth it – even though it took me a while to gather the courage to do it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Absolutely! I’m Beata Jutila, an actor and dancer based in Los Angeles. Originally from Finland, I moved to LA almost three years ago to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, which I successfully completed in August.

My passion for acting and dancing began early in life. I loved creating plays and dance performances with my sister during family gatherings. Throughout my childhood, I focused on dancing and also took part in school plays and musicals. What I enjoyed most was the ability to become different characters and feel various emotions, all driven by my imagination.

As I grew older, my passion for acting grew stronger. I attended an Arts-Oriented high school, which marked the start of my formal training in acting. There, I learned about various aspects of acting, including improvisation and scene study, solidifying my commitment to pursue acting as a career. Acting allows me to step into different lives, whether from the past, imagination, or the experiences of others. I think the beauty of acting lies in the chance to explore these fictional worlds.

Although it took some time to gather the courage to chase my dreams, I haven’t looked back with regret. During my BFA program, I was actively involved in our school’s dance troupe, balancing my love for both arts. Being part of the dance troupe led to various performances, including dance shows, charity events, and school functions. I feel like these experiences really enriched my artistic journey.

While studying, I also worked in several independent films, and that’s been my focus since graduating. I’m driven by a genuine love for the craft and a deep desire to connect with and move audiences. I’m excited about the creative opportunities ahead and look forward to sharing my journey with all who appreciate the power of storytelling through acting and dance.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The concept that there’s no “right way” to live your life, and it is something I’ve really come to understand on a personal level. My high school days were marked by this overwhelming pressure from both society and the people around me to conform to this stereotypical/traditional life script. You know the one – after high school, you’re supposed to head to university, get married, buy a house, start a family, and embrace that “normal” 9-5 job. I wanted to pursue acting, and eventually, I made that decision. However, before taking that step, I attempted to fit myself into the traditional mold, but it made me unhappy. I felt like I was more concerned about what other people thought of my life and of me rather than what I thought about myself. It felt like I was living my life based on the expectations of others. Still, right after high school, I applied to study Sport and Health Sciences and Education – fields that I was very interested in, but knew deep down weren’t right for me. I ended up not getting into university, which turned out to be a turning point. I decided to take a gap year and worked for a Nordic travel agency for almost 2 years – an experience that turned out to be one of the most incredible adventures I’ve ever had. Living in places like Greece, Thailand, and Spain opened my eyes to the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for life. What works for someone else might not be the right path for you, and that’s completely okay. Moreover, I’ve learned that worrying about what others think is a common tendency we all share. However, the truth is, everyone has their own life with their personal priorities and I’ve come to understand that it’s more important to live a life that aligns with my own values and dreams rather than someone else’s expectations.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

What I find most rewarding about being an artist is the ability to connect with people on a deep and meaningful level. I’ve always believed that films and theater have a unique power to unite people, and there are often aspects of a character or a story that resonate with our own lives. When I witness that genuine connection where people are moved by what they’ve experienced and seen, it makes me feel like I succeeded. Bringing characters to life and helping others navigate their own journeys and witnessing people being genuinely touched by what they’ve seen is truly rewarding. It’s like giving a helping hand to those facing life’s challenges through the characters I portray. Although I can’t change the world, the thought of making a positive impact in someone’s life through my performance is rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beatajutila.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatajutila/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beata-jutila-4806b5289/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/beatajutila

Image Credits
Rytham Singla, Andre Forrest, Nandan Lawande, Sini Sirén, Shane Chotirmal