We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christiana Sylvia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christiana below.

Alright, Christiana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I feel like I got to where I am through the back door. I’m not signed with an agency and I did not take any modeling classes. Yet I still manage to land paid jobs as a self-represented model.
I attribute most of this success to my dance and theater background. I have been a performer for as long as I can remember and my BFA degree in Dance further established that. My favorite part about dance wasn’t the movement but lack-therof. The still moments -poses, shapes, angles- that was my jam! Combined with acting training and a TV contract I was able to apply my body awareness from the stage to the camera. Over time I began modeling in fitness, commercial, catalogue, and editorial. With each opportunity I gained more confidence and met new faces to add to my network pool.

Modeling, just like dancing and acting, tells a story- whether it’s straightforward marketing or more abstract in nature. I am grateful for these building blocks and look forward to seeing where they lead me next!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Christiana Sylvia and I have been working as a model, actress, and voice-over artist since 2017. My main focus is commercial modeling/acting and dance-inspired editorial. I am self-represented.

I studied dance at the University at Buffalo with the intent of traveling the world as a cruise line performer immediately upon graduation. God had different plans. While I auditioned for dance roles in New York City I also casually submitted an audition tape for a TV series featuring the biggest toy company in the world. I landed the part and my profession shifted from stage performer to camera personality overnight. I was thankful for my training in stage presence/direction from the dance/ theater culture. But I learned the majority of my film vocabulary and camera etiquette on set. My co-hosts and I modeled for promotional campaigns and later traveled to Toronto to film a miniseries for the same brand. As the show neared its final season I had more freedom to work on voice-over projects and my first big fitness shoot for a gym chain.
After the show came to a close my husband and I moved across the country and I put in work responding to casting calls and introducing myself to photographers, local brands, and production companies. I miraculously landed 2 product commercials within the same month and everything propelled from there. As much as I enjoyed working for a kid audience, it was so freeing to finally embrace my womanhood and take on roles that fit my age. During this time I was also able to tap into my dance artistry for editorial shoots. My specialties are contrasting in nature- one is very artistic and almost self-indulgent….Focusing on shapes, angles, physique. The other is completely client and product oriented…how can I best represent this brand and convince the viewer to buy this product or support this cause?

It’s been fun to see my work change and evolve along with my personal life. When I became pregnant I modeled for maternity brands. After I had my first baby I utilized my extra time at home and began product photography. Then with my second I had the amazing opportunity to act in a commercial with both kids by my side!

I believe my dance+acting training set me apart from others in my field. In a heavily distracted world I have heightened body awareness, value clear communication, and pay close attention to detail.
I tell the client “I am your clay. Mold me.” I take my work very seriously but also carry a warm and fun energy with me. Yes it’s a paid job, but I also genuinely want to be there! And I will WORK until it’s done right.

Since starting a family I choose to keep my work local/in-state…but this hasn’t stopped me from doing what I love. I am thankful for every opportunity I get and the amazingly talent people I am honored to meet along the way.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There was a time in my life where I was convinced voice-over would be my main niche. I took a couple of VO classes in college and was commissioned by my university to do a few recordings for various media projects. I had a lot to learn but I was eager to tackle my supposed dream job. Then reality hit me post graduation. Most voice-over opportunities expected the artist to record in their own home-studio. I didn’t have a studio. Fortunately I married a sound engineer. He set me up with all the right equipment and taught me how to edit the takes. After fumbling around with the setup for a few weeks I HATED it.

I didn’t have the drive to be my own editor and audio engineer. I wanted to walk into a booth, record, and leave. This was an unrealistic expectation as I learned that home studios are vital for voice acting and audiobook narration.
When provided, I agree to record in-studio. (In addition to iPhone recordings at home.)
But I did an overall pivot away from the pressure I carried to be a full time voice-over artist. It’s good to reevaluate our goals from time to time. It might not always be a “no.” Sometimes it’s just a “yes but wait.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing the final product and embracing its permanence. Unlike a stage performance that ends when the curtain closes, film and photography last forever. When I review the shoots I’ve done it brings back a flood of memories. It reminds me of a time where I was a part something bigger than myself-When I got to witness the talent of other creatives banding together to tell a story. I have the privilege of bringing a concept to life and being a part of its permanence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christianasylvia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiana_sylvia/

Image Credits
Lizzie Wanders for Maggie’s Organics Dustin Moon Light and Lens for Gohagen Alexander Ethan Herrold for Colorado Maternity Youngblood Images Jeff Goldberg Truelynn Clothing Company OneLife Fitness.