Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Kostoulakos.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Ever since I was a little girl, I had an itch to perform. My grandparents used to babysit me and they noticed my love for music and dance, so they enrolled me in dance lessons when I was about four years old. I continued that for a few years and as I got older, my desire to sing kept growing. I wanted to perform on stage so badly, but I was always too nervous to audition for anything. In middle school, I finally worked up the courage to audition for the play, “Oklahoma’ but as soon as I got on stage and started to sing, stage fright got the best of me and I ran off! I was mortified. I realized that I had to fix this so eventually at the age of 14, I started taking voice lessons. I started getting more confident in my abilities and began doing musical theater in high school. I absolutely fell in love with performing on stage; not only the love of the craft but the bond that you get when creating art with people who share the same passion as you. I then stopped playing basketball and doing cheerleading and delved into the theater world completely.
This proved to be such a healthy outlet for me, as I was going through a tough time with my parent’s divorce. I continued doing theater throughout high school and college and then onto community theater at several different companies in the greater Boston area. Some of my favorite roles over the years include Lucinda in ‘Into the Woods’, Annelle in ‘Steel Magnolias’ and Sonia in ‘Godspell.’ I studied media and communications at UMass Amherst then transferred to UMass Lowell to study music performance. I had dreams of moving to Hollywood but wasn’t sure how to go about pursuing my dream. Then, one day, I received a call from a friend of mine saying they were looking for extras for the film, ‘The Fighter.’ She asked if I wanted to be an extra with her and I said sure why not! I had never worked on a film before and I immediately fell in love with it the first day on set! I continued doing extra work and taking acting classes over the years, which lead to student films, short films, indies, and features. I was assistant director on a short film titled ‘The Method,’ which is currently in post-production, and I have had several principal roles in short and feature length films.
I recently attended the premiere for the feature film that I am in, titled, ‘Sweeney Killing Sweeney,’ where I play a stand-up comedian amongst some of the greats, including Steve Sweeney, Lenny Clarke, Steven Wright, Tony V, etc. I was the producer’s assistant, production assistant and assistant makeup artist on this film as well. I feel so grateful to have met so many amazing people along the way, who believed in me and have helped get me to where I am today! I used to feel stuck at a 9-5 job and didn’t know how to get out of the rut until a friend of mine introduced me to brand ambassador/promotional modeling work. I am happy to say that I now do that full time which allows me the flexibility of pursuing my acting career. I am so excited for what is yet to come! I truly believe that you can do anything you put your heart and mind into – I am living proof of that!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road – not even close! I can’t even tell you how many times I have been rejected in this industry. Unfortunately, that is something that I have learned to accept and I understand that I will continue to experience this throughout my career. I had to learn how to not take it personally if I don’t get a role that I audition for, even if that seems impossible to do. Once the audition is over, I try to put it out of my mind and not dwell because what good is that going to do? I just keep moving forward and if I don’t get it, on to the next one. Sometimes, I wish I had a different (less difficult) passion but I truly can’t imagine doing anything else! I have learned that no matter what it is you decide to pursue in life, you have to take the good with the bad and nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Don’t be afraid to go after something you want. When I was younger, I was always under the impression that I had to go to college and “get a real job.” That is nonsense! What is the definition of a “real job” anyway? Everyone has different talents and different paths in life and just because it seems like everyone is going down one road doesn’t mean you have to follow. Be a leader in your own life! Create your own journey, whatever that may be. Is my career stable? No. But am I happy? YES.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your story and your work– tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am an actor, singer, brand ambassador, and promotional model. I am pursuing my career as an actor and taking opportunities as they come! I have a knack for comedy but I love drama acting as well. I love character acting – its challenging and really allows me to be creative. As an actor, finding work is a constant hustle and in order to really go after it, you have to have a flexible job. You have to be ready to go to that audition at sometimes, a moments notice. As a brand ambassador and promo model, working for several marketing companies allows me that flexibility. I work at trade shows, expos, conventions, festivals, as well as do liquor and food sampling. I enjoy it because its always something new and I get to meet different people and be outgoing and have fun! I’m a people-person; I have a way of connecting with people. I am most proud of being a risk taker and following my dreams. I think that’s what sets me apart from others. Most people wouldn’t risk pursuing an unstable career and living this unpredictable lifestyle. It’s scary. My schedule and income are different every single week and I think more often than not, people want the comfort of a steady paycheck and routine. I’m completely unconventional and wouldn’t want it any other way.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think now more than ever, there are amazing opportunities for women! Women are truly standing their ground and standing up for what they believe in and their voices are being heard! There are so many more women nowadays in managerial positions and I truly think that we are being taken more seriously. Look at the industry I am in – so many women directors are finally being noticed. The feature film that I am in, ‘Sweeney Killing Sweeney,’ was directed by an incredible female director, Lisa Aimola. My dear, talented friend Jordan Tofalo, is also an incredible director who’s work is being noticed as well. There are also so many more plus size models now, and while there is still body shaming happening, I see more and more women embracing their bodies and themselves for who they are. Women are feeling more accepted now for who they are. I think Instagram and other social media are wonderful outlets that provide opportunities for women to have and grow businesses as well. There are so many marketing companies that market health and beauty products where women are becoming successful! I think women, in general, are gaining more respect and I think if we all continue to support each other, it will only keep getting better and better!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imdb.me/christinakostoulakos
- Email: chriskosta.xo1@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stinaaaaxo
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/christina.kostoulakos
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/xtina110
Image Credit:
David Elmes, Kimberly Rose
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