LIORA KATS

An Actress

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with actress Lirola Kats, an emerging talent from the Netherlands whose growing presence is impossible to ignore. Hollywood would be wise to take notice. The feature was complemented by an exquisite photo shoot at the Chateau Marmont, photographed by Jesse Lirola, resulting in a captivating visual story to accompany the interview.

You grew up in Europe—what part of your upbringing most shaped who you are today?

I think it’s a combination of things. A big part that shaped me was leaving the Netherlands, which is where I was born and lived most of my life. I don’t think I ever felt truly at home there. I always dreamed of going elsewhere. In middle school, I begged my parents to send me to an all-girls boarding school in the UK, and in high school, I always dreamed of doing a semester abroad in the US and experiencing what high school was like there. 

The Netherlands can feel very closed off socially. When you’re out by yourself, the majority of people won’t really talk to you. People aren’t as open to random interactions with strangers as they are here. Sometimes you start a conversation, and they’ll look at you like you want something. It’s a tougher environment in that sense, and I felt that early on. I always loved making friends when I was younger, and when I would go on vacation, I always made new friends. That was my favorite part. It wasn’t like that in the Netherlands. I had times in my life where I didn’t have many friends, and times where I had none. At some point during my time in school, I tried to befriend anyone, in the hopes that it would lead to a new friendship, and maybe I could find a new best friend. It definitely played a role in who I am today. I love meeting new people, and I consider myself a social person. I love sparking up random conversations with strangers; it’s fun, it’s exciting. People are so interesting to me, and I love connecting with them. I think it’s one of the most beautiful things we have in this world, the human connection. 

At the same time, I grew up traveling a lot. My dad was a commercial pilot, so being in airports always felt like an adventure to me. I loved the feeling of leaving, of going somewhere new and discovering something, a new place, new people, new environments. 

And then there is Ukraine, my mom’s homeland. I visited my grandparents a lot growing up. My mom had lots of friends and family there, and with a pilot dad, it was easy to visit at least once, if not twice a year. Being in Ukraine and spending time there allowed me to see a completely different reality compared to Western Europe. Seeing how people live there and getting to experience that contrast really stayed with me. Kyiv is very special to me, my people, the food, and even the subways, I hold very close to my heart. Ukraine is a beautiful country, filled with beautiful people, culture, history, and pride. What’s happening there feels like an open wound that has no way to heal. My heart breaks for Ukraine every day. It was and continues to be a very important part of my life. Growing up between those environments made me very aware of people, of differences, of how life can look completely different depending on where you are and where you are born. 

My journey with acting was kind of accidental. I remember my mom always telling me I should be on TV, regardless of what capacity. She talked about me being a news anchor, weather reporter, and all sorts of jobs that were “being on screen” related. I do also remember growing up and being a big fan of Hannah Montana and seeing America portrayed in the songs and music videos, and obviously singing along a lot lol. Acting only first started for me when I was 12, I was competing in Latin dance, and my dance partner at the time was part of a casting agency that happened to be looking for kids with a unique talent. We auditioned, and the next thing I knew, I was driving three hours with my mom to shoot my first film.

Being on that set and seeing how words on a page turn into something real stuck with me. It was also a bonding experience with my mom, which made it even more special.

After that, acting kept tapping me on the back. I worked on a few projects in the Netherlands, but I didn’t lock in until I came to New York and started training. I ended up in the United States for completely different reasons, and going to Lee Strasberg in New York was a completely random decision that I made outside of a desire to be an actress. I went for it, not knowing how I would feel or what it would be like, but not too long after I started, something really clicked. I hit a kind of flow state, especially on camera. Once action was called, it was like the world around me went dark, and it was just the other actor and me. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE The stage, it’s alive and exciting, and scary… in all the best ways. My love for the stage will never die, and I cannot wait to be in another play. But I think my earlier work in Film and TV gave me a special connection to the camera, and a real love for being on set. Working on camera feels very intimate, like nothing outside of that moment exists. It’s a different kind of connection that I felt early on, and was reminded of once I found my way back to it.  

Was there a specific moment when you realized this could be a career, not just a passion?

I first learned that being on set paid when I was working on Nickelodeon’s Hunter Street. I had a scene where I had to scream at the sight of a chameleon. After the scene, I spent a moment talking to one of the people on set and learned the chameleon was a professional pet actor who was also getting paid handsomely. He had a really cool name, which I unfortunately can’t remember, but at the time, it was wild to me that a cute little chameleon could be an actor. 

In the Netherlands, the industry is small. Fewer projects, fewer opportunities, more closed systems. When I came to the U.S., that’s when things shifted. The scale is completely different. There are more projects, more people, more opportunities to work and grow. That’s when I understood this is actually something you can build a life in. It wasn’t one exact moment. It was more of a buildup, and then realizing there’s space here to go after what you want and actually get to tell stories for a living. 

What inspired your move to New York, and how has the city influenced you so far?

New York wasn’t in my plans. I left the Netherlands during COVID while my classes were online. I left looking for answers, ideas, something new. The original plan was to start my own company, potentially in the Web3 space or elsewhere. Something that would really help people and benefit the world. I traveled for a couple of months and ended up here. I love how diverse it is. There’s a freedom here that’s hard to explain. Nobody cares, but in a way that lets you be anything or anyone. You can walk outside as your best self, or completely undone, and it doesn’t matter one bit. You can just be you and exist. New York City is the final boss of “you do you”. I loved how open people were and how easy it was to connect with others. People say New Yorkers are direct and all sorts of things, but to me, it was like a breath of fresh air in comparison to back home. I feel really good here. I feel free. It’s like I already knew I could do anything, but the city confirmed it, and it pushed me to really go after it.

What were your first impressions of the acting scene here?

I was impressed. It felt like there was so much happening. Anything from student films to large studio productions. When I landed at Strasberg, I remember watching people work and thinking, I know I can do this too, and I want to do it really well. I was impressed by how dedicated and hardworking the people were. I didn’t know any other actors when I lived in the Netherlands. And I also didn’t know many creatives who were so actively dedicating themselves to being good at this thing that they love. 

Compared to the Netherlands, it felt much bigger—more opportunities, more people working, more dedication. Everyone was focused and hardworking, and it was impressive. That was my first impression.

What has been the biggest challenge adjusting to life and work in the U.S.?

Being away from family and the time difference are probably the biggest ones. It makes it harder to stay connected. I love having late-night FaceTime sessions with my family and friends, but they are 6 hours ahead, so when I call at a normal time, they’re asleep, and at 3 am, they’re starting their day and on their way to work. Same thing the other way around, they call me, and I’m barely awake, or I’m running around in the middle of my day. I’m grateful for the technology that allows me to keep in touch, and it’s definitely possible, just not as spontaneous. I miss my parents and my siblings; the hardest thing about moving far away is that we’re all growing up and getting older in the absence of one another. Of course, there are other practical challenges when you move, like figuring out systems and visas, but being away from your loved ones is by far the hardest. Not being able to have your mom hug you without one of us flying 7 hours sucks. 

I do have to say that overall the adjustment has been a really great and a really enjoyable one. It’s been a very positive experience for me, and I am grateful to experience life differently in a place that I love. 

As an up-and-coming actress, what has your experience with auditions been like?

It’s been a mixed experience, but mostly very positive. My first instinct to this question was that video of the former footballer Gennaro Gattuso saying “sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe shit”. I’ve walked into audition rooms and had some crazy experiences, but most auditions are fun. For that little bit of time that role is yours. You get to be and share that character with other people.  Most auditions these days start at home. Self-tapes allow you to create the audition in your own time. You can spend as much time as you want getting to explore, to figure things out, to try different takes and shoot when you like. Being in the room is different. I really love meeting people. It’s so exciting to walk into a space and feel the energy, interact with people, and share your work, live and direct, with real people sitting across from you.

Early on, I used to get nervous, and I still do, but I now know that it’s not nerves, it’s excitement. My instrument is getting ready, it’s revving itself up to tell a story. I put my focus on the work and sharing my expression authentically. It’s easy to fall into the trap of doing the audition in a way you think that the casting director wants. One of the most special and unique things we have to offer to the world is our authentic self, our real, raw, unfiltered expression. It’s unique and can only exist through us if we allow it. 

You’re going out for roles like Baywatch-style projects—what draws you to that genre?

I was very excited to see production come back to LA. The reboot was initially set to shoot in Australia, but I’m a big supporter of bringing work back to the States, and it’s nice to see that happen. It is a genre that’s a little outside my norm, although I can definitely tap into it. What really drew me in was the ensemble aspect, people working together, doing good, saving others. At the same time, I was interested in bringing something grounded into that world. I love the beach, the ocean, and summer. Also, how fun is it to have this group of good-looking people doing good things together? The message is good, and the show is iconic.

How do you prepare for auditions, especially competitive ones?

I always start with what’s been provided to me, especially the sides. It helps to look at those before looking at the character breakdown. At times, the breakdown can trap you into playing an idea instead of a real person. People are layered. You can’t reduce them to a one paragraph description, though it can certainly be helpful to see what casting is looking for in this character and how this character would be described in short. I read the sides, understand what’s happening, and I ask myself lots and lots of questions. A big part of acting is staying curious, almost a child-like curiosity, and asking yourself a lot of questions to gain a deeper understanding. I sit with the work and let it marinate. If something is further from me, I research, I go deeper, and find more answers. When possible, I prepare auditions, including competitive ones, with a coach. It’s nice to get another perspective and work through things with someone you trust and share a common language and understanding with. 

How would you describe your acting style?

This was a tough one, haha. In essence, I would describe my acting style as grounded, honest, layered, and intense when needed. I don’t want to play an idea of a person or push for what’s not there. Everything is rooted in truth. When you start the scene on a false note, the rest of it isn’t gonna be much better. You can’t find the truth when you start with a lie. 

I’m not scared to drop the barrier and go all the way when called for in the scene, though I wouldn’t consider that a description of my style. It’s usually the moments that seem simple and subtle that bring you closer to the truth. There is so much to discover when you get really curious about everything that is happening in the scene, the story, and with the character. When I was in school, one of my teachers once said, “There are no small roles, only small actors”. There’s so much to discover in every character you play; they’ve lived an entire life before this moment in the story takes place. Staying endlessly curious and doing the work has allowed me to learn and discover so much more, and to continue discovering what my acting style is and how I express myself. 

LIORA KATS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSE LIROLA AT THE CHATEAU MARMONT.

Are there any actors or filmmakers who inspire you or influence your work?

A lot of my inspiration comes from real life. From observing people, how they behave, how they feel, how they move through the world. It’s something I’ve always been drawn to from a young age. People and their stories really intrigue me. When I pause and look around me and really observe, I find so much to discover. The way we eat, the way we walk, the way we move, we are all so unique, and I think that’s so cool. Even the fact that we have somewhat symmetrical faces is crazy to me. The human experience is wildly different for all of us, and I’m fascinated by the fact that billions of people can all feel emotions that would be described in simple words like joy, anger, or sadness, so differently. My sadness might feel completely different than your sadness. Your excitement might feel or express itself completely different than that of mine. Yet we all know what they are and have all experienced them in different ways. We feel differently, and we express differently, and we live differently.  I’m most drawn to what is happening in the world around me, the human experience, my human experience, and empathy. I’m endlessly inspired by others, from my beloved grandmother up in the sky to a stranger on the street. We have a universe inside of us, and the more we learn about each other’s worlds, the more ours expands. 

I also grew up watching a lot of Soviet cartoons, and I think they do a really beautiful job of telling timeless stories and teaching the lessons of life in a beautiful and subtle way. A specific one that comes to mind is Cheburashka, a cartoon about a cute, big-eared creature that arrives in a crate of oranges and ends up becoming friends with a crocodile named Gena. I can’t explain exactly where or how these stories live within me, or how these characters have inspired and shaped me, but I’m affected deeply when I think about them. One of the movies I saw growing up that left a lasting impression on me was Kill Bill. I remember having a brief horror phase around the age of 10, but I scared myself out of it trying to watch Annabel. This was obviously a whole different world and genre, but the bloodiness added something I had missed. It was different from what I had seen up until then. It was crazy, intense, and fun. It had me on the edge of my seat, and I still think about it from time to time. It’s criminal for me not to mention my love for the film Trainspotting. I’ll not think about this movie; it found me during a difficult time in my life, and it’s been an important film to me ever since. The narration style really resonated with me, and it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Also, had I been alive in the nineties, I would’ve killed to play the role of Diane. 

Lastly, I’d like to mention the Italian TV series, Baby. The show was recommended to me by a friend in high school and stuck with me for many years. It’s a coming-of-age, teenage drama based on a scandal that took place in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Rome. It’s the friendship between the two female leads that made this story stick with me for so long. Alice Pagani’s performance in the show is unique, nuanced, and a beautiful portrayal of girlhood. The story taking place in a city as beautiful as Rome is the cherry on top of the cake for this teenage drama. 

What kind of roles are you most passionate about pursuing?

I’m drawn to roles that tell the stories of strong women with multiple sides to them and a skewed moral compass. I’m especially drawn to characters who are flawed, make bad decisions, who say it with their chest,  aren’t scared to get messy, and who believe that rules are meant to be broken. Trouble makers. The saying “good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere” rings true for the kinds of stories I’d like to tell. Girls who aren’t scared to get what they want and will do anything they can to get it. Determined, bold, and multifaceted.  I really love being challenged. The more layers there are to explore, the better. I love sinking my teeth into something crazy, fun, and exploring it completely. 

Another desire of mine is to dive into characters that live during a different time, whether that’s the ’50s, the ’90s, the early 2000s, or anywhere in between or before, but especially period dramas. I’ve always been fascinated by different time periods and how people lived and operated under a completely different set of rules and societal standards, and how people navigated the world without the ease and convenience of today’s day and age.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about the life of a rising actress?

I think most people would be surprised to hear that it’s easy to stay optimistic in an industry that I often hear people being pessimistic about. Everyone talks about the challenges, lack of work, and stress. Anything you want to do well comes with its own set of challenges. Going after anything you really want will be challenging. No matter how I get there, I decide I will, I know I will. It’s not about how or when, it’s about enjoying the journey. Most actors don’t think about their lives as those of a rising person. I put my focus on getting better at what I do, improving every day, and finding new ways to express myself truthfully. I enjoy the process of getting better and showing up as the best version of myself. I like to think that my career moving ahead is a result of the work, training, sacrifices,  and time spent improving what I do. Dedicating myself to this thing that I love is the win for me.

Being an actor is an interesting thing to navigate. Unlike the pianist who has his Piano, or the chef who has his kitchen, and the painter and his brushes and colors, the actor is the instrument. Every single part of you is the instrument, your voice, your senses, your mind, the entire body, inside and out, is the medium. As I go through life, I experience different things, and I am changed. My perception of the world changes, my belief system changes, my body changes, my expression changes, and therefore, my instrument is ever-changing too. Navigating those changes is an interesting process. There are days when you feel like you know everything, and other days you feel like you know nothing. It’s all part of the process. The best way to deal with it is radical acceptance and curiosity. Accepting that maybe everything I thought I knew wasn’t what it was, and that to figure out what it is, I must dive within myself or the world, or a part of my life experience, to find more answers that bring me closer to what it is I want to express in my work. 

How do you handle rejection or setbacks in such a competitive industry?

I don’t take it personally. Everyone in this industry is doing their job. The job of casting directors, producers, and all the other people involved in the decision-making process is to find the actor who best fits the role they are casting.  When I go into an audition, I get to be the character and share my interpretation for that brief period of time. Getting to share my work is fun, it’s exciting. I’m not performing open heart surgery; no one is going to die if I don’t book the role or make a mistake. 

I live by the words of my dear teacher George Loros, who once said: “Every no brings you closer to the yes”. He would tell us about his career and life as an actor, and assured the class that it’s like a numbers game. The more you put yourself out there, the more you get seen, the more chances you have. At some point, somebody is going to say yes to you. When going up for a role, there are lots of great actors, and only one part. You do your best, and sometimes it’s you, and sometimes it’s not. I don’t take that personally. I’m glad I got to share my work and tell the story.