Natalie Burn was recetly interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Natalie.
Natalie Burn As Cover Story Interview – May 2026 Magazine Edition
How do you introduce yourself?
I usually say that I’m an actress, producer, former ballerina and a choreographer. I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and my love for storytelling started with dance. I trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow and later graduated from the Royal Ballet School in London. Ballet was my first language as an artist and it taught me discipline, passion, and how to express emotion without saying a word. Today I tell stories through film. Whether I’m acting, producing, or developing new projects, what excites me most is creating work that connects with people on a deeply emotional level all over the world.
What hardships have you gone through in your way?
My journey has definitely come with challenges, and I feel like I face struggles every day. Ballet, in particular, was incredibly demanding. It requires complete dedication and quickly teaches you that talent alone is not enough. You have to keep going even when you are exhausted, discouraged, or doubting yourself. Starting over as an actress was another major challenge. The immigration process itself was extremely difficult — first getting a visa to the United States, then a work permit, and eventually a green card, which took four years before I finally became a U.S. citizen. After receiving my work permit, I traveled to London to have my passport stamped, but unfortunately I was denied entry, even though my permit had already been approved. I was told I needed to return to Russia and gain more experience there before coming back. What should have been a simple process turned into a long and difficult journey. I think anyone who was not born in America understands how hard it can be to immigrate to the United States. There are so many obstacles, uncertainties, and sacrifices along the way. During those four years waiting for my green card approval, I had to step into a completely different world and prove myself all over again. Once I was finally able to return to the United States, everything I had worked so hard to build was gone, and I had to start over completely on my own. There were many rejections, but I learned not to take them personally and to keep moving forward. On a more personal level, watching everything that has happened in Ukraine has been heartbreaking. It reminds me every day how important it is to use our voices and our art to bring hope, compassion, and humanity into the world.
What do people usually not know about you?
A lot of people know me from action films, but they are often surprised to learn that I spent most of my early life in ballet studios and theaters. Ballet shaped not only my discipline and work ethic, but also the way I approach storytelling and performance. I’m also a very sensitive and passionate person. Even though many of the roles I play are physically strong characters, I feel most connected to the emotional and psychological side of storytelling. As a proud member of The Actors Studio, I’m especially drawn to dramatic, character-driven roles. In many ways, I feel even more comfortable on stage than in front of the camera. I would love to continue exploring powerful theatrical roles like the one I recently performed in The Great White Hope a play by Howard Sackler, as well as plays I deeply admire, such as Cowboy Mouth one-act by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith, Dutchman a play by Amiri Baraka, and the works of Anton Chekhov. One of my favorite plays is The Seagull. I hope to one day have the opportunity to bring roles with that same emotional depth and complexity to film as well.
What sets you apart from other people?
What sets me apart is the combination of artistry, athleticism, and real industry experience that I bring to every project. My background in ballet gave me a strong foundation in discipline, precision, grace, and emotional expression. It taught me how to communicate emotion through movement and how to stay focused and committed under pressure. At the same time, my martial arts and stunt training gave me the physical strength, confidence, and resilience to take on demanding action roles while remaining fully connected to the character and story. What truly makes me different, though, is that I approach filmmaking from both the creative and business side. I am not only an actress — I am also a producer and storyteller who understands how to build a film from the ground up. I know how to develop a project, create and manage budgets, solve production challenges, save money without sacrificing quality, and guide a film through every stage, from development and production all the way to delivery and selling it to a studio or distributor. Because of that experience, I see the bigger picture on every project I work on. I understand the creative vision, but I also understand the practical realities of making a film successfully. I am constantly thinking about how to make a story more authentic, more emotionally powerful, and more impactful for audiences while also making smart creative and production decisions behind the scenes. Above all, I care deeply about storytelling. I want every project I am involved in to feel honest, meaningful, and memorable. Whether I am in front of the camera or helping shape the production behind it, my goal is always the same: to create stories that truly connect with people and leave a lasting impact.
What are your upcoming major events?
I am incredibly excited about several upcoming projects, but most of all Foster. The response to the film so far has been amazing, and seeing how strongly audiences have connected with it has been incredibly rewarding. We recently screened the film in Cannes for the buyers, and the outcome was fantastic. The reactions, conversations, and overall reception there made me even more excited about what is ahead for the project. Working alongside James Franco and Ron Perlman was also an incredible experience, and I truly believe Foster is a very special film with a powerful story to tell. I am also excited about Eyes in the Trees, where I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ashley Greene, and Thomas Kretschmann. Being surrounded by such talented actors was both inspiring and creatively challenging in the best way. Another project I am very excited about is Toxic, co-directed by J. J. Perry, where I star opposite Yash. It has been an amazing international collaboration, and the scale and energy of the project have made it an unforgettable experience. I am also starring in Chupacabras, where I play the lead role, which gave me the opportunity to explore a completely different side of myself as an actress. At the same time, I am continuing to develop several new projects through my production companies. Being involved both creatively and behind the scenes as a producer makes this a very exciting and fulfilling time in my career.
What expert advice would you like to give?
Believe in your journey, even when it does not unfold as quickly as you hoped. Success rarely happens overnight. It comes from staying committed, continuing to learn, and not giving up when things get difficult. My biggest advice is to master your craft and be patient with yourself. Every setback teaches you something valuable. If you stay disciplined, work with integrity, and keep your passion alive, the right opportunities will come. And when they do, you will be ready for them.
