Meet Sofia Randahl Norschau | Actress & photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sofia Randahl Norschau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sofia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
It’s funny to look back, on how careful I used to be growing up. To become a major risk taker in life. The biggest risk I’ve taken in my career wasn’t necessarily moving to the U.S., it was to stay. It’s what they say starting out is always hard. Fresh out of school I was offered a job in Oklahoma, and with a leap of faith I accepted the terms of moving from LA to OKC. Unfortunately the owner of the company got really sick. I was left with the decision of a life time, try to stay afloat in OKC, see myself defeated and move back to Norway, or to make my way back out to LA. I chose the latter. With help from family and friends. No security. It keeps you humble.
Working in entertainment is very much a numbers game, know one person, and that was all it took for me. Going from nothing to joining SAG-AFTRA working with my idols, finding my place and people. It will not be the last risk I am taking in this lifetime. Although it is to this day the biggest risk I have taken.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It was picture day in 2nd grade, I had always been shy, with a little smirk getting my picture taken it struck me “I want to do that when I grow up” It stayed a dream for a long time, got a DSLR camera at 15 years old. It was with me every day, to school, events so on.
When I was about to get my driver license in Norway, I had applied for job as school photographer, it required a DL. It was a snowstorm canceling my appointment, luckily they gave me a new the next day which was the last day for the job application.
A week later I was going in to meet the boss. She repeatedly said “I really believe in you. I really do believe in you”. Ever since then I have worked for them almost every year until I moved to the US. It was such a giving job, to entertain kids, and faculty for the pictures, and travel. Unfortunately it’s all seasonal based. Therefore I had to find something else to do as well, working as a bartender, a cleaning lady, taxi driver, at a car dealer ship, until I went “back to school” as an apprentice for big format printing. Doing graphic design, making stickers, signs, wrapping cars. It wasn’t a work environment for me, which lead me to quit. Out of luck a company let me finish my apprenticeship, and achieve a certification letter as a profile designer.
Acting wasn’t something I thought I could live by, but I always enjoyed going to the theatre. In middle school I had friends making movies, bringing me into the cosplay Community in Norway. They became the creators of what is know as Kawaiicon’s opening show, They asked me to join in 2014, and I was lucky to be part of their ensemble until 2017.

In 2019 after removing items from my suitcase, adding items. It was only 52 kilos of my whole life and me on a plane to pursue an acting career in Hollywood. In 2021 I graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. 2022 I got accepted for their third year company, unfortunately something I had to turn down. Although I am excited to see them perform over the coming months. Now I’m focusing on building my company BARE entertainment LLC, assisting in shooting self tapes, acting coach, headshots, general photography, shooting music videos and short films. Bare means just in Norwegian and has been my social media handle too long for me to recall. It started with a my name is too long, So I would say just Sofia. Which is why BARE became the name.
On top of that in the current outlook for an agent to excel my acting career.
The latest brags on my resume, got the honor to work on Netflix’s unfrosted as Amy Schumer’s stand in and photo double, I already miss the crew so much. Netflix nordic is already following me on IG, can someone tell them to propose to me already ha ha! to finish it off with, if you do speak or understand Norwegian, get your self Fitbit premium and find me there as one of their Norwegian trainer!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It might be my biggest mistake to give out this info, but you can find me at Black Rabbit Rose most times I go out, and I will bring people there. They have extremely talented musicians, and good people working there. This bar is more of lounge, hole in the wall, magic themed place. They also serve Thai food, and host magic shows.

The phoenix on third is also an honorable mention, with awesome people working there, sports/movies, foods and drinks.
They have a really nice patio. Where I’m a sucker for the big pretzel.

The latest discovery must be The Wolves DTLA. Shamefully not found this place earlier. This place is thought through to the T, they get their bartenders from all around the world. Try their food as well!

Coffee!
Let me just say coming from a country that does not have Starbucks other places but at the airport, it is appreciated.
Though if you want a quality coffee go to Bolt they have two locations, BOLT EaHo and Virgil village. Both awesome locations, and nice to sit and work, my go-to is avocado toast.

The whole street of Larchmont got my heart, even though La pain Quotidien is a chain I love it there, reminds me of my grandmother’s house in south of France. Love the smoked salmon tartine!

Malibu is nice, but have you gone to the Adamson house next to Malibu lagoon beach, it’s such a beautiful piece of history.
Laguna beach also has a piece of my heart, a of my grandmother’s from Norway lives there, and they invited me for Christmas when I first got here. One of her grandchildren actually showed me around, and there are so many nice beaches down there. It’s worth the trip.

If we have time, I would drag us out of the city to do a hike bigger than Runyon Canyon.

There are so much more even I need to see of this city!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Talking about finding your place and people, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts acted as my cushion to the entertainment industry and becoming comfortable LIVING in another LANGUAGE(country). My mom kept reminding me to not be so hard on myself because I am doing everything in a different language. It has always felt like I don’t fit in, Actress Ana Moreno and filmmaker/actress Faye Sirohi, found me. Both of them has supported me through everything from just life, to school, to career, and I would not be where I am today without them. Australian actor Julian Maroun, he was the first person who helped me navigate LA, with film festivals and where to get the best pancakes. They are all achieving amazing things to be on the lookout for. There are plenty other people to mention for their friendship, kindness and their support. All the amazing people I work with in production, casting and actors “We’ll see each other on the next one”.

Website: https://sofiarandahl.wixsite.com/bare

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bare.sofia/

Image Credits
Photographer: Kai Hansen Model: Marina Quintanilla