ANA GOLJA
Ana Golja is the definition of a triple threat.
This multi-disciplinary artist grew up in the industry. Her passion for performing began with dance at age 5, and her acting career started at 9 years old when she landed her first role playing Lucy in “1-800 Missing”. Ana is most known for her work in a feature film called "Full Out", which earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2016, and as "Zoe Rivas" on the Emmy nominated drama "Degrassi". More recently, Ana released her first music albums as a singer songwriter and even wore VIEREN White Diamond in her Glass music video!
Ana sat down with VIEREN to share her inspiring story of doing what she loves, finding her voice, and how family helps her power her time.
Ana sat down with VIEREN to share her inspiring story of doing what she loves, finding her voice, and how family helps her power her time.
Ana Golja is the definition of a triple threat.
This multi-disciplinary artist grew up in the industry. Her passion for performing began with dance at age 5, and her acting career started at 9 years old when she landed her first role playing Lucy in “1-800 Missing”. Ana is most known for her work in a feature film called "Full Out", which earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination in 2016, and as "Zoe Rivas" on the Emmy nominated drama "Degrassi". More recently, Ana released her first music albums as a singer songwriter and even wore VIEREN White Diamond in her Glass music video!
Ana sat down with VIEREN to share her inspiring story of doing what she loves, finding her voice, and how family helps her power her time.
Ana sat down with VIEREN to share her inspiring story of doing what she loves, finding her voice, and how family helps her power her time.
"I celebrate by popping a bottle of champagne, and sharing it with the people I love most! I can’t picture a better way of celebrating!"
@theanagolja
"I celebrate by popping a bottle of champagne, and sharing it with the people I love most! I can’t picture a better way of celebrating!"
@theanagolja
What are your biggest passions in life?
For me, why I do what I do is because I want to help people. I want to share stories. I want to connect with people. I want to give a voice to those who may not have a platform, so that’s something I’m really passionate about,. I try to make everything I do, that I create - whether if it’s in film or TV or my work as a producer or singer songwriter - I want it to inspire and I want it to impact people’s lives in a positive way. That’s what gets me going,
Are you celebrating anything this year?
I’m celebrating life. I’m celebrating being alive and being surrounded by so many amazing people. My family, my friends, people that make me want to get out of bed every day. I’m celebrating every moment we get because nothing is guaranteed in life, and so I really try to live my best life every moment that I can.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To not be so rigid and structured. I was very much a planner. I had a plan for everything - school, career, and what my life was going to look like - but life doesn’t work like that. It doesn’t always go according to plan, and I’ve learned to embrace that and find the beauty in that. Now, I love being able to just live one moment at a time, and not think about what I’m doing tomorrow or next week or five years from now. I try to stay present and so I would give that advice to my younger self.
What are your biggest passions in life?
For me, why I do what I do is because I want to help people. I want to share stories. I want to connect with people. I want to give a voice to those who may not have a platform, so that’s something I’m really passionate about,. I try to make everything I do, that I create - whether if it’s in film or TV or my work as a producer or singer songwriter - I want it to inspire and I want it to impact people’s lives in a positive way. That’s what gets me going,
Are you celebrating anything this year?
I’m celebrating life. I’m celebrating being alive and being surrounded by so many amazing people. My family, my friends, people that make me want to get out of bed every day. I’m celebrating every moment we get because nothing is guaranteed in life, and so I really try to live my best life every moment that I can.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To not be so rigid and structured. I was very much a planner. I had a plan for everything - school, career, and what my life was going to look like - but life doesn’t work like that. It doesn’t always go according to plan, and I’ve learned to embrace that and find the beauty in that. Now, I love being able to just live one moment at a time, and not think about what I’m doing tomorrow or next week or five years from now. I try to stay present and so I would give that advice to my younger self.
"I power my time by taking care of me. Doing the things that make me happy - whether that is working out, taking a dance class, spending time with my friends, getting a facial, going shopping, travelling, eating way too much food, drinking amazing wine. That’s how I power my time, by nourishing my soul, because if I am feeling fulfilled, I can create from a better place."
@theanagolja
"I power my time by taking care of me. Doing the things that make me happy - whether that is working out, taking a dance class, spending time with my friends, getting a facial, going shopping, travelling, eating way too much food, drinking amazing wine. That’s how I power my time, by nourishing my soul, because if I am feeling fulfilled, I can create from a better place."
@theanagolja
How do you stay motivated?
What motivates me is trying to create the best possible life for me and for the people around me, especially my family. That’s a big driver for me, trying to make them proud and build an empire so they can achieve their own personal dreams and goals too, so it all goes hand-in-hand. They’re just super supportive and they immigrated here so I could have the opportunity to do whatever I want to do. That’s what they’re very important to me and I want to make them happy.
Was there an "a-ha moment" for you?
For sure there was an a-ha moment! When I was on Degrassi and the Emmy nomination, that was the first time I really thought I would have a career in the arts. I have been acting since I was 9, but it was always fun and it never seemed like a job, which is great. But I was thinking - will I become a doctor? will I become a lawyer? (you know, the typical immigrant mentality) When I turned 16, and all these things were happening in my life, that was my a-ha moment of "wow this could be my life". I really love doing this. Why would I give it up? That was the beginning of me looking at a career in the arts. And it’s also fun!
Tell us about a favourite project you’re working on.
Something that makes me smile as far as my work goes, was definitely The Cuban. Because I was a creator on the film and producer on the film and I starred in it. It came from a really honest place. It came from myself and my business partners all being affected by Alzheimer’s disease in one way or another. For me, it was my great grandmother who recently passed. The film is dedicated to her. There’s a whole dedicated page in the film and that’s definitely one of my proudest moments.
How do you stay motivated?
What motivates me is trying to create the best possible life for me and for the people around me, especially my family. That’s a big driver for me, trying to make them proud and build an empire so they can achieve their own personal dreams and goals too, so it all goes hand-in-hand. They’re just super supportive and they immigrated here so I could have the opportunity to do whatever I want to do. That’s what they’re very important to me and I want to make them happy.
Was there an "a-ha moment" for you?
For sure there was an a-ha moment! When I was on Degrassi and the Emmy nomination, that was the first time I really thought I would have a career in the arts. I have been acting since I was 9, but it was always fun and it never seemed like a job, which is great. But I was thinking - will I become a doctor? will I become a lawyer? (you know, the typical immigrant mentality) When I turned 16, and all these things were happening in my life, that was my a-ha moment of "wow this could be my life". I really love doing this. Why would I give it up? That was the beginning of me looking at a career in the arts. And it’s also fun!
Tell us about a favourite project you’re working on.
Something that makes me smile as far as my work goes, was definitely The Cuban. Because I was a creator on the film and producer on the film and I starred in it. It came from a really honest place. It came from myself and my business partners all being affected by Alzheimer’s disease in one way or another. For me, it was my great grandmother who recently passed. The film is dedicated to her. There’s a whole dedicated page in the film and that’s definitely one of my proudest moments.
“My favourite is the White Diamond. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! I love this one! Obviously, this is the one I wore in the Glass music video!”
@theanagolja
“My favourite is the White Diamond. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! I love this one! Obviously, this is the one I wore in the Glass music video!”
@theanagolja
Tell us something about time.
I always feel like there’s isn’t enough time. There aren’t enough seconds in a minute, minutes in an hour, hours in a day. Especially growing up in Toronto, we’re so used to this go-go,-go, rush mentality of it’s never enough. When I think about time, I always feel like there’s isn’t enough of it. There are so many things I want to do, places I want to see, things I want to experience, and I just think about how little time there is. It’s not the best way tot look at it, but it definitely motivates me to check off as many things off my list as possible.
What is your relationship with watches?
I wish I had more of a relationship with watches. I feel like my pieces, as far as accessories, have been bracelets and necklaces and earrings. I was never a watch person because I always felt that watches were masculine. It never felt appealing to me until the last few years. But then your VIEREN watches are so elegant. It doesn’t take over my entire arm. It’s very proportionate. And with the diamonds, I get my little fairy dust. I would like to make watches a bigger part of my style.
How does White Croc represent you?
I describe myself as being fierce. And I would say the Croc definitely symbolizes that in me. And then the white is elegance and simplicity. I like to think I’m a simple person, although I am a big fan of the sparkles, but I do love things that are clean cut, and I think that this watch is all that. It’s timeless.
Tell us something about time.
I always feel like there’s isn’t enough time. There aren’t enough seconds in a minute, minutes in an hour, hours in a day. Especially growing up in Toronto, we’re so used to this go-go,-go, rush mentality of it’s never enough. When I think about time, I always feel like there’s isn’t enough of it. There are so many things I want to do, places I want to see, things I want to experience, and I just think about how little time there is. It’s not the best way tot look at it, but it definitely motivates me to check off as many things off my list as possible.
What is your relationship with watches?
I wish I had more of a relationship with watches. I feel like my pieces, as far as accessories, have been bracelets and necklaces and earrings. I was never a watch person because I always felt that watches were masculine. It never felt appealing to me until the last few years. But then your VIEREN watches are so elegant. It doesn’t take over my entire arm. It’s very proportionate. And with the diamonds, I get my little fairy dust. I would like to make watches a bigger part of my style.
How does White Croc represent you?
I describe myself as being fierce. And I would say the Croc definitely symbolizes that in me. And then the white is elegance and simplicity. I like to think I’m a simple person, although I am a big fan of the sparkles, but I do love things that are clean cut, and I think that this watch is all that. It’s timeless.
"Oh wow, it’s so pretty! I want to take this to Greece with me. It’s beautiful, wow! Again, it’s another timeless piece that works with everything."
"Oh wow, it’s so pretty! I want to take this to Greece with me. It’s beautiful, wow! Again, it’s another timeless piece that works with everything."
"I love that the brand is filled with so many personal stories. It’s not just a brand where you just sat down and create something that’s selling well. There’s so much purpose and meaning behind everything that you guys have created, which is beautiful!"
@theanagolja
"I love that the brand is filled with so many personal stories. It’s not just a brand where you just sat down and create something that’s selling well. There’s so much purpose and meaning behind everything that you guys have created, which is beautiful!"
@theanagolja
SHOP OG AUTOMATIC
SHOP OG AUTOMATIC
