Meet Julia Sloan | Actress, Dancer & Choreographer

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

Hi Julia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I can’t imagine what my life would be like without the risks I’ve taken. Pursuing a career in the arts was never a question for me, and that choice has always meant trading comfort and stability for growth and opportunity. I’ve built a life in many different cities, only to leave it behind and start over when I felt pulled toward something better for myself and my craft. Those risks have shaped me as both an artist and a person, teaching me resilience, adaptability, and the courage to embrace the unknown. In my career, relationships, and personal growth, I’ve learned that nothing truly worthwhile comes without risk.

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.
I was born into the arts. My mother was a dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, and my father was a founding member of the platinum-record 80s pop group Men Without Hats. I grew up watching my mother run her own ballet company and my father, who later pursued a master’s degree in Classical Music and Theatre, have his original operas produced.
With creativity at the core of our family, my sister and I naturally found ourselves performing at an early age.
This foundation shaped the artist I am today. Through dance I’ve learned discipline and physical storytelling, paired with a deep connection to music. Acting has challenged me to lean into vulnerability and to develop greater compassion for others through the roles I play.
One of my recent projects that I’m especially proud of was being commissioned by Opera Quest to co-direct, stage, choreograph, and perform in two of their original works: Joan of Arc and The Soldier and The Sea (based on Homer’s Odyssey).
I also spent February and March filming several short films with some incredibly talented LA-based filmmakers. In particular, I had the opportunity to work with the team at Journal Films Production, who brought me on for their film Diary of the Last Bride, which is expected to be released at the end of this year. Collaborating with a cast and crew who had flown to Los Angeles to bring this story to life and bonding over our shared love of storytelling was an experience I found extremely moving.
Being a performer comes with so many challenges, whether it’s not having opportunities where I lived or facing uncertainty and rejection. Sometimes you have to chase the opportunities that come up, even if it means uprooting your life and starting over (which I’ve done more than once). Other times it’s about creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for someone else to hand them to you. Nothing about this career is easy, but everything about it is rewarding. If you believe you’re capable of something, every ‘no’ just makes you hungrier for the ‘yes’ you know is coming.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the outdoors, so I’d definitely start by taking them on a hike. My go-to spots are the Wisdom Tree, a favorite spot for manifesting, and Fryman Canyon, where you get the most amazing view of the winding valley. I’d also take them horseback riding in Calabasas. It might sound extravagant, but it honestly feels like being transported back into an old Western.

For any creative person, spending time in a Studio City coffee shop is a must. You’ll see actors, writers, and producers on their laptops working on their next big project, and it’s incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by so many people in the industry hustling to make their dreams happen. On Sundays, I love going to the Melrose Farmers Market. It’s not too busy, the food is amazing, and the surrounding boutiques are so fun to explore.

One of the best parts of LA is the food scene, so I’d want to keep it spontaneous and try something new every day rather than sticking to the same places. And if they’re up for it, I’d take them to a Lakers game. It might sound overrated, but I love live sports events, and there’s nothing quite like the energy in LA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to give the biggest shoutout to my family. I feel so lucky to have grown up surrounded by unconditional love and support. To my big sister, who is currently on tour with Men Without Hats, living out her pop star life. To Paige and Omar, my partners in crime. And to my acting coach Kennedy Brown, who has shown me how to bridge who I am with my craft. I’m endlessly grateful.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliasloan__/

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15255706/

Image Credits
Kyron Basu
Paige Jones
Suzie White
Karolina Turek