Tag Archive for: Denmark

We love introducing fearless Europeans no matter what they do and where they are. This time we are featuring an interesting Danish young lady who loves to explore the world.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Gemma Karlsen, I am an actress and I do modelling. I am from Denmark (a small town called Espergaerde 20 min from Copenhagen).
I am in Sydney Australia right now just to see Sydney.
I always wanted to come here.  I have some close friends that I stay with in a very nice area of Sydney called Double Bay.

I am a world traveler at heart.  I always wanted to live in Los Angeles.  I am working on my 01 artist visa so I can work in the US. I have travelled a lot and in Los Angeles I have a lot of friends, I love to network when I am in L.A.

I grew up in Denmark, but when I was 17 I went to London to study acting. I have done many commercials and short films in Denmark and London.

How did you end up in Sydney of all places?

Sydney is amazing! But I miss Los Angeles and Denmark. I was just in Los Angeles and in Vancouver Canada, I had part in a feature in film in Canada.

What is the best and worst about your current city for you…what is a typical day and weekend??

I am going talk about Los Angeles since that’s where I compare every country to haha… I love Los Angeles so much so I would say the traffic is the worst part of the city and the best is the people, the opportunities and the nature/the beach.

How do you find the lifestyle in LA  compared to your hometown in Denmark?

Los Angeles is so dynamic, vibrant and has the most amazing cafes and restaurants that are very healthy. Denmark is soo cold but when there is the least bit of sunshine everyone sits outside at cafes and sip their coffee, Denmark also have the best sushi place called sticks and sushi.

How do you make your living now – and how would you like to develop that career?

I do commercials and print work and I would like to continue to doing that along with movies and Tv.

Do you see the differences between nationalities easily – yours vs. Americans vs. other Europeans?

There is a difference in the way that people interact with each other, in Los Angeles they chat to each other at the grocery shop, cafes and are just in general more open and into chatting with new people.
But the Danes are good at keeping a commitment and sticking to their word.

What is the essence of LA to you?

The nature and the social life.

What do you  miss from your country?

I miss my family, friends and just a casual stroll in Hellerup and Copenhagen.

What do you miss the most – and the least from your own country?

The weather and something called janteloven, it’s a mentality that people should not think they are too good at something or have too much confidence.

I think that being able to love and like yourself is the most important thing because when we love ourselves we are able to really set an example to our kids. They should approve and love themselves. When you love yourself you are more capable of loving and supporting others.

Workwise – how do you see Los Angeles being different from Denmark . What stands out in your chosen profession?

Denmark is not as good for acting and modelling as Los Angeles is. The entertainment industry is not that big in Denmark. Danish films tend to be a bit more dark and depressing. Where American movie are more glamorous.

When you think about your expectations about life in LA before you moved there – was it correct?

I actually always thought that Los Angeles would be amazing and it is.

What should everyone know and understand about your country and its culture – or USA?

Denmark is a lovely country – I love coming back.  It’s a great and safe country.

What cafes or restaurants do you recommend to tourists to go to in Copenhagen?

Sticks and sushi in Copenhagen.

What would be your ideal life – with no monetary issues to make it happen!

Me living in Malibu and have a house in Hollywood hills. Acting in movies and TV. I want to work with Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron and Nancy Mayers, Just to name a few. Yes I know I have big dreams …

Would you move back to Denmark fulltime – yes or no (why and why not)?

No I would not move to Denmark for good. I have a traveler’s mentality, I love being on the road and in America.

How to connect with you:
Facebook: Gemma Karlsen
www.instagram.com/gemmakarlsens/