We were lucky to catch up with Kiri Hartig recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kiri, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I wanted to be in front of the camera on my very first day of High School. The morning announcements were broadcasted on every tv in school each morning, and I saw a girl on screen sitting behind a desk telling us about the pep rally after lunch in the gym. I saw my face plastered over hers and immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the industry at a young age. My mom would take photos of me as a baby and submit it to magazines and encourage me to audition for local commercials. Then when I was 12, she entered me into a model search and I was offered multiple contracts around the world. Excited as I was, I decided to finish school. I made it two years into college and decided it wasn’t for me. So went to travel abroad as a model instead. I lived in Asia for about a decade modeling and doing commercials. During that time I entered into a competition reality show in Hong Kong to become the next TV Host for Fashion One. I ended up winning and was their main correspondent for a couple years. About 8 years ago, I found myself moving to LA, took an acting class and have been acting ever since.

I’ve lived all over the world and always have said that I had a different life in every place. I joke that I’ve lived many lives, but in a way it’s true. For the most part I traveled alone. Each place brought out a different side of myself, and had its own challenges and experiences. I feel this ended up being invaluable to my acting career because it not only makes me adaptable, but also gave me so much life experience.

If there’s one thing I’d like people to know about me, it’s that although I might not look like it, I’m actually very strong. I’m a kind, quiet, small person and wear my heart on my sleeve and a lot of people take me for a pushover. I’ve faced more adversities than most people, and have come out on the other side with straight and clarity. Deep down I know what I want, where I want to go and how I want to get there, and nothing will stop me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

About three years ago, After over a decade of sometimes interminable periods of unexplained illness, I found out I have Lyme disease. At points of my illness, I was barely able to accomplish the simple things like eat, get out of bed or take a shower. I saw countless doctors and no one could tell me what was going on. I was in so much pain I wanted to give up. There was a moment when I decided that this is not how I’m going to live my life. I hunted down the right doctor, got diagnosed and now am feeling much better even though I’m still trying my best to cure it. It takes a lot more work than I ever thought I was capable of. (Kind of like being an artist.) I told myself I would never take another moment of my life for granted, and would do what makes me happy no matter what. I decided to pursue art instead of the typical 9-5 because it’s what ultimately makes me feel alive. Humans take their health for granted, yet it so easily can slip away. I try to make the most out the health that I have and use it to pursue my dream.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is self discovery. Every time I face a challenge in my work, whether it’s resistance to a line or a character judgement or even a lost opportunity I end up learning something about myself that needs to be healed. I don’t think I’d be able to do that in any other job than acting.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kirihart

Image Credits

Bradley Meinz, Aileen Kyoko