Silja Rós is an Icelandic actress, singer-songwriter living in Los Angles. She is an alumni from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She released her debut album “Silence” in 2017 and her and Magnus Dagsson just released the album “Afflicted” last month. Silja Rós is currently recording new music for her solo project as well as writing/singing music for other artists. This summer she was part of the Icelandic movie “Þrot” which will be released in the fall of 2019.
I am (use a max. of 3 words to describe yourself)… hardworking, optimistic and kind.
Acting is... doing your research, working hard and then just being in the moment, listening with all your senses.
My last gig taught me... to enjoy on camera work. I was filming a movie back home in Iceland and it was definitely the moment I realized that I would love to do more film work, before the movie I mostly saw myself as a stage actor. It was the most fun I’ve had, and it was crazy that I could call it my job.
But the most important thing I’ve learned during a project was during my grad play “The Country Wife”. Lady Fidget taught me self-confidence. The character had to be very confident so I worked on it in myself as well as being able to step into her shoes.
Proudest performance moment... was when I was working on a scene from A Doll’s House in class and the first time I truly felt I was listening 100% was during the class performance.
Most embarrassing audition... was when I was auditioning for a part in a musical I was already a part of. I don’t know why I became so nervous, in my mind I was so sure that they had made a mistake hiring me that I forgot everything that I had prepared. Totally blanked. But somehow they didn’t lose their faith in me and were actually really supportive. The director decided to send part of the room out and worked with me and helped me through the audition. I ended up getting one of the leading roles.
Most challenging part... I worked on a scene from the play Children’s Hour and I played the role of Mary. It was so hard for me because we were so different. I was bullied a lot as a child and now I was playing a bully. And it was very challenging for me to justify her behavior and fully understand the point of it. Children don’t always fully understand that their actions can actually lead to very serious consequences. The play reminded me a bit of the movie Jagten (The Hunt).
The moment I knew I wanted to be an actor... when I stepped into my first acting class when I was 11 years old. At that time I loved being able to escape from myself and be someone entirely different. But today I’ve learned to love being myself as well and focus on the art of storytelling. But it’s magical to be able to step into others’ shoes.
Dying to work with... in music Damien Rice. In acting Domhnall Gleeson and Elisabeth Moss.
Was born to play... Nora in Dollhouse and Éponine in Les Miserables.
Learn lines by... using all kinds of methods. First I make sure I understand every single word and my objective. Then I record the lines of the other actor and repeat them naturally while I’m cleaning my apartment or doing some kind of a workout. I need to connect my body and the words together. I also write the lines out on cards, read the other actor’s lines and try to remember my lines.
Get into character by... knowing their body. Knowing their status. I often use the Chekhov technique to feel the tension between the characters and sense memory if I need to get into a certain state of mind. I also love using viewpoints.
Special skill I wouldn't put on my resume… I can fit my whole fist in my mouth.
Movie I can’t stop talking about... About Time! Love that movie!
Top three Netflix / Amazon shows in my queue… 1) Trapped! An Icelandic TV show by Baltasar Kormákur. A must see! 2) Stranger Things 3) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel & New Girl. Then of course Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
Currently reading… a lot of books at the same time which is kind of my style (All you need to know about the Music Business, Macbeth, The Secret, You Are a Badass, Meisner, The Actor and the Text, An Actor Prepares, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck and The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide.
Car karaoke tune... Sunny Boney M
If I weren't an actor or musician, I'd be... a painter.
Stranger Things character that best represents me… Nancy
If they made a movie about my life, I’d be played by… Amanda Seyfried because she’s also a singer-songwriter.
Actor crush... I must be too in love with my boyfriend because I can’t even think of one.
Sign… Leo Sagittarius rising
If I were a color, I'd be… yellow, gold, red or light blue.
Hotel alias… When the time comes…it will probably be Moli, the name of my childhood cat.
LA spot that inspires or relaxes me… is the beach, since I come from an island I’m very used to being around the ocean, just to be able to see it is calming.
The best advice I ever got… is always to be true to yourself. Listen to your instinct or follow it. Always trust yourself, you can do anything you want to.
You can find me on… Spotify, iTunes, Youtube, www.siljaros.is and IMDb.
In real life at CorePower Yoga, Tiago or at the rooftop of my building.