Simona Varga (Actress and Filmmaker) was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and here is the Q&A session we had with Simona.

Simona Varga As Cover Story Interview – March 2026 Magazine Edition

How do you introduce yourself?

It depends on who I am with. I usually introduce myself simply as an actor and storyteller. Acting has always been something I’ve loved and felt drawn to for as long as I can remember (when I saw Kate Winslet in Titanic, I wanted to be her).

I’m an Australian-Romanian actress, raised in Australia in a Romanian immigrant family. My parents valued education and hard work very deeply, so growing up there was always an expectation that I would pursue something practical and stable. Because of that, I explored a few different paths first alongside my passion as an actor. I studied business, journalism and law, and eventually working in public relations and even practicing as a criminal lawyer. I know, crazy!

Looking back now, I’m grateful for those experiences because they taught me a lot about people. Acting is really about understanding human behaviour and emotion, and the worlds I worked in exposed me to so many different personalities and life stories.

More recently, I’ve also started exploring storytelling from behind the camera. I wrote, directed, produced and starred in a short film called Marbles, which is now on the festival circuit. It was a deeply personal creative project and a reminder that sometimes you just have to take the leap and make the things you care about. At the end of the day, though, I still see myself as someone who just really loves telling stories.

What hardships have you gone through in life?

Like a lot of people my journey hasn’t been completely straightforward. I’ve always been someone with many interests, and for a long time I felt like I was trying to balance different parts of myself, the practical side that wanted stability and the creative side that wanted to explore storytelling and performance.

Growing up in an immigrant household also meant understanding the value of hard work from a young age. My parents sacrificed a lot to build a life in Australia, and that naturally shaped how I approached my education and career. A more personal challenge in recent years has been supporting my dad, who is living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and parksonsism. I’ve been fortunate enough to work from home (for myself) and be there for dad daily, it’s been hard but also a blessing to have this time with him. Caring for a parent through something like that is incredibly emotional, but it also teaches you a lot about patience, compassion and what really matters in life.

In some ways, those experiences have deepened my connection to acting. When you go through difficult or meaningful moments in life, you develop a deeper understanding of people, and that emotional awareness becomes something you can bring into your work as a performer.

What do people usually not know about you?

People are often surprised by how many different worlds I’ve worked in alongside acting. When they hear that I studied law or practiced as a criminal lawyer, it tends to catch them off guard. Another thing people might not realise is how connected I am to my Romanian heritage. I speak Romanian fluently, and growing up in a bilingual household gave me a really strong sense of culture and identity.

I also think people sometimes assume that creative careers happen in a very direct way, but for me it’s been more of a gradual journey. Writing, directing and producing my short film Marbles was something I stepped into because I wanted to learn and grow as a storyteller. It was a challenge, but also incredibly rewarding. I also do not want to wait for the phone to ring, so creating my own work is going to be a huge part of my next chapter!

What sets you apart from others?

I’m not sure I’d say I’m very different from others, but I do think my path has given me a slightly broader perspective. I spent many years working in environments where you see people at their most vulnerable or under pressure. In law, especially, you’re witnessing very real human emotions and complex situations. Those experiences stay with you, and I think they naturally influence how you approach characters and storytelling. I think I am quite emotionally mature and/or and level-headed, so really take in the bigger picture the majority of the time. I also have gotten to the stage where, like one of my acting coaches has told me, to have a ‘Fuck it’ mentality. What do I have to lose? As long as I am proud of myself and the work that I do, then I’m good and cool with it.

I also think my upbringing has given me a strong work ethic. My parents always encouraged me to try my best and to take responsibility for creating opportunities for myself. That mindset has helped me approach creative work with patience and persistence.

At the end of the day, I’m just someone who’s curious about people and passionate about storytelling, and having fun a long the way. Day by day!

What are your upcoming major events?

Right now, I’m really excited about the festival journey for my short film Marbles, which I wrote, directed, produced and appear in. It’s currently being submitted to film festivals, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it might travel and how audiences connect with it.

Alongside that, I’m continuing to focus on acting and exploring opportunities in film and television. I’m particularly drawn to stories that feel grounded and human, the kinds of stories that explore identity, relationships and the moments that shape who we are. This stage of my career feels very much like a period of growth and exploration, which is exciting.

What expert advice would you like to give?

I’m not sure I’m in a position to give expert advice yet, but one thing I’ve learned is to have fun with your life. There are so many years ahead of you, and you can do anything, as long as you persist, are disciplined and are willing. Be kind to yourself, give yourself grace, and do things that make you proud, not others. Be kind to others. And make your own work!

Also, for a long time I thought the different careers and interests I pursued were separate from each other, but eventually I realised they were all contributing to who I am as a person and as a storyteller. So, do whatever you want. If you want to act, and pursue other things, ask yourself why not?

So I think the biggest lesson is to stay open, keep learning and be willing to work hard. Sometimes the things you experience along the way end up being exactly what prepares you for the next chapter.

Your social media handles and website links

• Instagram: @simvar
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13617995/
• LinkedIn: @in/simonavarga