Meet Leanne Noelle Smith | Actress, Producer, and Media Performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leanne Noelle Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leanne Noelle, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Performing has always been a part of who I am. I grew up doing dance, and that was my first love; the stage, the costumes, and the storytelling through movement. Dance gave me discipline, but more importantly it gave me a way to connect with people without even saying a word. That feeling never left me, it just grew into acting.

When I started working in film and television, I realized that what excites me most is telling stories that reflect humanity, relatable circumstances, and often overlooked voices. I have been lucky to work on projects like Fak Yaass, The Influencers, and Good Witch; which all gave me very different ways to grow as an actress. At the same time, I have always believed in creating my own opportunities rather than waiting for permission. That is why I produced, and starred in my short film The Dating Game, which went on to win awards at international festivals this past year.

For me, an artistic career may not of been the easiest path, but it’s always been about authorship, representation, and carving out my own space that feels authentic. As a Canadian woman working in Los Angeles, I want to share stories that matter and connect with people on a deeper level. I felt like I couldn’t do that with a more traditional career.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is about creating stories that connect and adapting to how audiences experience them. Most recently, I released The Dating Game, a short film that I produced and starred in. It was recognized internationally, including awards at the Indie Short Fest, the Central Coast International Film Festival, and the PEACH Theatre & Film International Festival. That recognition reminded me that artists do not have to wait for permission, we can build our own opportunities.

I have also stepped into the vertical short form series world, like The Billionaire’s Amnesiac Bride and Back in Time to Avenge Myself. Exploring this format has been fun, because it reflects how people actually watch content today, on their phones and across social media. For me, embracing new formats is about meeting audiences where they are.

The journey here has not been easy. When I first arrived in Los Angeles, the SAG strike happened and the industry seemed to stop overnight. Being in a new country during that uncertainty was terrifying, but it also pushed me to release The Dating Game at the perfect time. I learned that you cannot control setbacks, but you can keep moving, keep making, and refuse to give up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If one of my besties came to visit for a week, I would want them to see the side of Los Angeles that I love most; a mix of creativity, health, and a little fun. We would definitely start with something active, either a hike at Runyon Canyon or a class at F45, which has been a real game changer for me. It has kept me grounded in my health and has given me a community here in LA that feels like family.

A beach day in Santa Monica or Malibu would be a must, with a drive along the coast and a sunset walk by the ocean. Watching the waves is one of the most relaxing ways to take in California.

Food would play a big role in the week. For brunch, I would take them to Butcher, Baker, Coffee Maker or Salt’s Cure for the griddle cakes, and for coffee or another brunch option, Dialog Cafe is one of my favorites. For dinner, it would have to be Gracias Madre for its atmosphere, or Ta-Ke Sushi on Sunset, which is small, family-owned, and has some of the best sushi in the city.

For experiences, I would want to take them to Disneyland if they had never been, it is one of those iconic things I have not even done myself yet! We would also try to catch a show at the Hollywood Bowl or a comedy night at The Comedy Store. Since I live in West Hollywood, a Sunday Funday with bottomless mimosas would have to be part of the itinerary too.

By the end of the week, I would hope they experienced the balance that makes LA special to me; staying active, enjoying incredible food, soaking in culture and performance, and making time to laugh and relax with friends.

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 want to dedicate this shoutout to my colleagues and fellow artists. This career is never built alone, and the people around me have given me so much encouragement and inspiration.

First, my husband, who is also a creative, deserves a huge thank you for always pushing me to take risks and be daring with my choices, and for reminding me not to take life too seriously.

I also want to recognize my dance teachers, who taught me discipline and showed me that I am stronger than I think. They were the first to instill in me the confidence to step on a stage and perform.

And to my colleagues and acting teachers who opened the door to this industry for me; Vasilios Filippakis, Anthony Filangeri, Matthew McLaughlin, Sophie Ann Rooney at RAW Acting Studios in Toronto, and the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. Thank you for giving me the tools and the courage to dream bigger, and ultimately to bring that dream with me to the United States.

Website: https://www.leannensmith.com/

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

Other: Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/leannensmith
IMDB: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm6955708?s=9acc83d6-96dd-b955-83db-ef82b83d1276&site_preference=normal

Image Credits
Photographer Credits (Blonde Headshots): Matt Kallish Photography