Meet Mika McCalla | SAG-AFTRA Actress

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

Hi Mika, what makes you happy? Why?
Happiness isn’t waking up every day with a beaming smile and a vivacious pep in your step. Happiness is peace and consistency—the key here being consistency, not perfection. Many of my friends—maybe it’s our youth or being brought up in a world of social media highlight reels—define happiness as a perfect day or an exciting accomplishment. Up until recently, I defined happiness under similar parameters. I changed my definition of happiness when Martini came into my life, my beloved American Cocker Spaniel. Martini has taught me true happiness. True happiness is the beauty of knowing I can consistently rely on his support and his pure loyalty, which in turn brings me peace.Dogs are unlike humans; they do not have a single self-serving ambition or ulterior motive. As someone who is pursuing a business famed for being self-serving and full of ulterior motives, having a dog is vital. This may change as I meet more people in the business, but right now, I don’t trust an actor who doesn’t have a dog! But in all seriousness, caring for Martini is not an easy road. Dogs are not fashion accessories or houseplants—they are serious responsibilities requiring care and attention. In my Cocker’s case, he requires extra support. Martini suffers from seizures and severe food allergies, barring him from eating essentially anything except lamb. These ailments do not detract from his value or ability to provide happiness; they increase it. Every day, I get the blessing to wake up and provide Martini with the care and support he needs—and no doubt wholeheartedly deserves. In return, I receive unbridled loyalty and support. Martini doesn’t care if I’m booking new roles or cultivating hot buzz around town; he just cares that I’m happy—no matter the popularity of it all.

To sum it up, Cocker Spaniels make me happy.

Why?
Because their love brings peace.
How do you gain this peaceful happiness, too?
Adopt a dog—with the caveat that you’re ready for the responsibility.
Where can I adopt a dog?
I recommend Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas, California.

(Make the drive down the 5—I promise your 90-minute drive will be well worth it.)

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actress. I used to be a USC student working for massive pop stars. I’ve graduated since then and pivoted within Hollywood.I want to be a good actress. I’m working toward becoming the type of actress who brings inspiration and awe to audiences. I’ve seen this quality in classic Hollywood stars (Kelly, Monroe, Hepburn), but I also see it in modern stars like Anya Taylor-Joy. I’ve set a goal to achieve this quality as well.

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.
My L.A. recommendation is spending a day with family. If you wish to center your day around an outing with them, I recommend visiting the Getty Villa on a sunny day and then heading to Nobu Malibu. It simply doesn’t get better than that.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to recognize Martini: the sweetest, most opinionated Cocker Spaniel around. He is the embodiment of why I chase a dream of mine through acting. Martini has taught me the following: Life is short and life is simple—it’s us humans who insist on making it complicated.
(Or maybe that was Confucius? It’s hard to tell, Tini can be quite the philosophical canine.)

In his honor, I hope more people consider adopting a dog into their family. It will change you—but for the better.

Website: https://mikamccalla.com

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