Meet Elvane Zogaj | Actor & Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elvane Zogaj and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elvane, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I ever had to make was to leave my sister who was sick from cancer in Norway so that I could finish my degree in acting in LA. At the time she was fighting cancer for the second time around and I had stayed home in Norway the first time around and put my degree on hold. Leaving the country and having to fly across the world and be so far away from her while she was fighting for her life was really hard to do. Although she gave me her blessing to leave and I used it as my motivation to graduate, I wish she was able to be there to see me receive my diploma.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart may be the story of how I got here in the first place. It all started when my life as I knew it fell apart. I was forced to reevaluate everything I was doing and had done. I spent a year digging deep into myself. Thinking about who I am and how I could use myself to make a change in this world. I’ve always been into acting and just understanding human behavior and psychology. A big dream of mine is to save the lions. And so I wondered how I could do that by using my strengths. I know I’m an empath and able to put myself in someone else’s shoes. So if I can do that through acting and get to a place where I have a voice in society then maybe I’ll be able to make a change. By bringing awareness to the issue. Lions are going extinct, along with many other animal species. One person can’t do everything, but everyone can do something!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA is such a great big city filled with all kinds of interesting people and places to see! If my best friend came over for a weekend I would plan for us to go to one of the many beaches. Santa Monica being one of them. We would rent bikes and ride to Venice beach. After a day at the beach we would sit down at one of the many restaurants along the pier. The next day I would take her shopping at the Grove before going to the farmers market for lunch. We would spend the night bar hopping in Noho for a great time! Sunday would be spent poolside at the W before going shopping at Melrose and brunching at The Blue Jam. Cafe. We would do dinner at The Nice Guy before clubbing the night away!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my sister for pushing me to pursue a career in acting and always having my back throughout my life. I also want to give a huge shoutout to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts for pushing me beyond my comfort zone and helping me grow not only as an actor but also as a person. Especially the late Ms Bohannon who wasted no time in seeing who I am and knowing exactly what I needed to take my acting to the next level. And generally anyone who has made it possible for me to make it from Norway to LA and helped my accomplish my dream. I am forever grateful to you all.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/elvane?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Other: https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/4c68d89c-1ec8-11ed-a3ff-391b36dd76c1

Image Credits
@shotsbyjune