We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kyna Lee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kyna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

For the first time this year I have been able to earn a full time living from acting and modelling alone, and thats thanks to my team and signing with agents in different states.
I didn’t know I could fully rely on a freelance form of income, as I always had a side business or side hustle in the past.

I’m now represented as a “local hire” in LA, Hawaii, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Texas and Australia.

I think this opened up and became possible since the pandemic when everything turned to self tapes.

This now allows all auditions to be filmed in the comfort of your own home, and your callbacks via zoom and you then fly to different states for the bookings.

I think in the past you had to have an address in that state you were working as a local hire, but now that’s all changed. This is great because you can work full time.
However it does mean that you are kind of working 7 days a week sometimes with all the self tapes that come through, but I wouldn’t change.
I’m finally doing what I love.

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.

I started modelling in Australia after winning a competition to be the face of a champagne brand.
I was only 22 at the time and needed to be 25 in order to qualify for the prize of $5000 and 100 bottles of champagne.
I didn’t bring my ID to the casting on purpose.
At the time, being a self funded full time student this was the big break I needed.

After winning, I moved to Sydney to pursue modelling since my champagne campaign was on billboards, buses etc.
After a fun 10 years in Sydney I set my sights on New York, and then decided to move to the United States.

Moving to a new country is challenging, and after testing out different cities, I now finally feel like LA is now home.

I have since transitioned into acting, I love playing different characters and the challenge that each audition brings.

I think having a strong work ethic, and also being an Aussie immigrant turned citizen sets me apart. We have a great rapport thanks to Margot Robbie and Chris Hemsworth.

I add value by being my true authentic self, and enable others to be themselves too.
I connect and help market small businesses, big companies and hopefully my acting inspires, creates laughter and heals people through storytelling.

My goal is to help as many people as possible and inspire others.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I sold my mobile spray tanning business, car and all my furniture to move countries again, only to realise Sydney wasn’t where I wanted to live, after 3 short months I moved back to Los Angeles.

I quickly signed with a new manager and signed with new agents in most states.
I now work as a local hire as a full time actress and model.

Its taken a lot of inner work and removing limiting beliefs to get to this stage.

I encourage others to not give up on their dream, however impossible it may seem to achieve, Sometimes you’re the only person standing in your own way.

Sometimes I think wow, if I had only truly believed in myself earlier, where I could be right now.
I don’t have any regrets, I just only hope you don’t put off starting your dreams right now.
What are you waiting for.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Yes having a manager or a mentor is key!
In my line of work, I never had a manger until this year.
She helps sign me with agents, helps pitch me for acting work, helps orchestrate photoshoots and pick key images.
I can’t believe I’ve never had a manager, but I didn’t know!

If I was to rewind, getting a manager would be the first thing I would do.
I guess I’ve had to trial and error my path to get to this point.

Also you can self submit on casting networks to different regions. I’ve booked huge campagins for microsoft, Utla and It cosmetics via self submit.
Be your own boss.
Remember your agents and managers work for you and are only getting 10-20% you get the rest. It’s a business partnership. You’re a brand so market yourself accordingly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.outlawartistmanagement.com/
• Instagram: @kyna__lee

Image Credits

@mattkalish