Meet Nico Elia Wander | Actor & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nico Elia Wander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nico Elia, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from the small but mighty country called Switzerland. I mostly grew up in smaller towns outside of bigger cities, which means I had to take my bike to school or dance classes, regardless of how cold and/or wet it was.
My first stage experience was when I started dancing various different styles in a troupe outside of school. It was not until my first big venture to study abroad in Santa Barbara, CA where I first fell in love with the feeling of freedom while exploring new ways of life – and what roles you play in them.
I then joined a theatre company back home and was performing in their annual plays every fall, just when you could almost smell the mandarins and ginger bread people will set on their tables for everybody soon.
Now I’m living in the big city of Los Angeles. Where instead of trams, cars drive themselves everywhere and palm trees sway in an always blue hue from the sky above. During my travels around the world I felt a strong desire to fill my walls with postcards with stories written on their back. These stories and ideas now accompany me here whilst bringing my acting career forward. I was now able to be part of a whole new world by being on film sets of various sizes and contributing to the different project such as short and feature films but also commercial and voice over work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got to where I am today by investing countless long nights in theatres and acting school, where I learned to balance dancing, performing, and singing while honing my craft. My journey started with small roles in student and short films, which gave me valuable on-set experience and taught me how to handle the challenges of storytelling on screen. Over time, I made connections and found representation through agents who helped guide me toward more professional opportunities. This led to work in commercials and, eventually, feature films, each project adding to my growth as a performer. It’s been a gradual, learning-focused path shaped by persistence and a love for creative expression. I got to where I am today by investing countless long nights in theatres and acting school, where I learned to balance dancing, performing, and singing while honing my craft. My journey started with small roles in student and short films, which gave me valuable on-set experience and taught me how to handle the challenges of storytelling on screen. Over time, I made connections and found representation through agents who helped guide me toward more professional opportunities. This led to work in commercials and, eventually, bigger projects too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Luckily some of my friends have already visited me in LA here, so this question shouldn’t be too hard.
Anywhere on a hike in the hills is nice. To get a view of the otherwise pretty flat land. Angeles National Forest would be great for a day trip. Funnily enough, the first hike I did there was to Switzer Falls.
Of course, they would want to see Hollwood Blvd stuff and do the more touristy activities as well. Going to a museum or an art gallery. Go swimming by a beach in Malibu and eat an In ‘n’ out burger. And then taste all the great asian restaurants in the city. Also going to the movies here! Nothing compares to these speakers here in the States than anywhere in Europe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well, of course my family and friends. Mom and Dad. My four (!) sisters. Friends I have since I was growing up or more recent ones. My partner, who’s been with me by my side in so many ways. My first dancing teacher, my first director from the theatre company. The many great acting teachers during my studies. It’s hard to keep it short here.

Website: https://nicoeliawander.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoaschwanden

Image Credits
Colleen Winfough
Todd Tyler