We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katerina Sigala a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Katerina, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I believe creativity is something I was born with — it’s a core part of who I am. I honestly can’t imagine life without imagination, without a creative lens through which I experience the world.
Of course, certain moments help fuel it: nature, love, heartbreak, beauty, pain. But for me, creativity is always there. When you’re an artist, it’s not something that comes and goes — it lives within you. It might change form, but it never disappears.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
First of all, I’m originally from Greece and I recently moved to the U.S. — about seven months ago. My roots are deeply connected to art, which was born within me in my homeland. I’m a writer, director, and actress, and I create and produce my own short films and live art events. I also run a boutique accommodation in Santorini called White Note Luxury Suites.
Writing is my greatest passion. I often feel that through acting and directing I serve a world that someone else has designed — but when I write, I get to create my own. It’s the purest expression of my imagination and inner world.
I truly love meeting and collaborating with people from different cultures. That’s why I always seek creative partnerships with artists and professionals from around the world. I just finished shooting my latest short film here in the U.S., titled RED NIT. It’s inspired by true events and tells the story of a serial killer who finds his victims through Tinder. The film explores the dangers of social media and how those risks are deeply relevant in today’s society.
Currently, I’m also preparing a new project that’s very close to my heart — a series of “living paintings” inspired by ancient Greece. These will be video art installations with costumes made entirely from recyclable materials. Through this work, I want to raise questions about how disconnected we’ve become from the values of ancient civilizations — whether Greek or otherwise — and how, in many ways,they are not proud of us.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say that one of my greatest strengths is writing — and I believe it goes hand in hand with imagination. Without imagination, writing cannot truly exist. It’s the tool through which I build entire worlds from nothing.
Another essential quality for me has been courage. I’m not afraid to knock on doors — even if I know they might not open. I never want to live with the thought, “What if I had tried?” Rejection doesn’t scare me — in fact, it fuels me. Every “no” makes me more determined to keep going.
And finally: kindness. I know that in today’s world, kindness is often underestimated or seen as a weakness — but for me, it’s a superpower. I’ve been lucky to work with people who have beautiful souls, and I believe kindness attracts that energy.
To young creatives, whether they are writers or artists of any kind, my advice is this:
Be brave. Knock on doors. Let rejection motivate you. But never normalize rudeness. Don’t serve people who are unkind. Stay kind yourself — and stand up when you see injustice or bad behavior, whether it’s in your workplace or your environment.
We need more people who are not only talented but also good-hearted. That’s how real change begins.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents are Greek — and that, in itself, makes a big difference. Parenting in Greece is very different from what I’ve seen here in the U.S. One of the most impactful things they’ve done for me is love me unconditionally and support me no matter what.
Greek parents often put their children before everything — even themselves. They might skip a dinner out so they can buy something for their kids instead. They’ll treat their grandchildren like their own children. Family always comes first, and that’s something I deeply admire.
In fact, that contrast between Greek and American culture inspired me to create my comedy character, Souvlaki Girl, who humorously highlights those cultural differences.
My parents taught me to fight for my dreams. I remember my mother once told me, “If you aim for 50, you’ll probably only reach 30. But if you aim for 100, you might even reach 80.” That stayed with me. She taught me to dream big.
My father, on the other hand, taught me about kindness and justice — to never tolerate injustice and to always remain respectful and polite.
Everything I am today, I owe to them. They’ve been strict when necessary, but always present — both as parents and as friends. They’ve done everything they could for me and my sister.
In the end, I believe we are like trees, and our parents are the roots.
And without strong roots, no tree can stand tall.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigalakaterina?igsh=cWpuaDFrcXJyano0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AtjA5C1Y7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katerina-sigala-6b5510118?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/shorts/mGTVlILz7yM?feature=shared
Image Credits
Nick Artopoios
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