Many ask: “Why become an actress? It’s so hard to break into the entertainment industry.” Yet, every year hundreds of thousands of people travel from around the world in hopes of becoming the next George Clooney or Angelina Jolie. Many call them “starving actors” but those following the dream call themselves “actors with passion” and truly there is no stopping them. They come by plane, train, or automobile and hit the streets running.
“I was nine years old when I acted in my first play and I’ve continued the path of being an actress ever since. Who knew!” Zoi Kottas exclaims as we sit  down to talk about her life as a working actress living in the heart of the entertainment capital: Hollywood
Canadian-born Kottas was raised by her Greek immigrant parents in the city of Montreal. Zoi–whose name means “life” in Greek–began dreaming at a very young age. “Well, of course being Greek helps when it comes to being dramatic,” says Kottas with a smile on her face . “I am filled with tremendous passion and love for the arts I couldn’t imagine being in any other career.”
She adds: “I knew it was time to make my move to Los Angeles not too long after college. She shares a reminiscence as a tear rolls down her face, “It broke my parents’ hearts when I told them I was moving however, they knew I was going after my dream and they loved me enough to let me go with their blessings.”
Arriving in Los Angeles, Kottas didn’t miss a beat. She immediately began creating her life as an actress. Yes, it is true she has experienced some stumbles and falls along her path however, she refuses to allow anything or anyone get her down and she’s made it clear that nothing is going to stand in her way. “It’s a tough world out there, so you must keep your head held high and be true to yourself, always”, Kottas says with confidence.
On any given day, she sets off hiking in the local canyons, then rushes back home to get ready for her 10 a.m. audition, often with two or as many as four more spread scheduled throughout the day. “It’s the life I choose to live. There isn’t time to take a break. If I do, I’ve just given someone else the opportunity to book a job that could very well have been mine. So when my agent calls I answer my phone and then I’m off to the next audition. Yes, it sounds crazy but I really do love every minute of it.”
Kottas has performed onstage in multiple theaters including a 2009 performance in Celebrating Reading Of Vagina Monologues. On screen she captivated audiences in a role she played portraying a terrified woman being held hostage on the popular television series FlashForward, based on the Canadian science fiction novel. One of the highlights of her career so far has been starring opposite Olivier Riquelme in Olivier Chatard’s short film, Awareness which was accepted in the 2010 Festival de Cannes. Awareness, a Kino Pravada production, exposes the selfless acts of wasting water. “Water is Life,” says Chatard, “and Zoi brought life to this film.”
When asked about what inspires her and gives her life, Kottas replies:  “Music is my biggest inspiration. A day doesn’t go by that I’m not listening to some sort of music. Nothing like some good rock-n-roll to get me going,.” There’s a pause, then Kottas adds: “But I must say the beauty of sunsets inspires my soul. If you spend enough time in Greece you would agree, no?”
So there you have it: an actress loving her life as she lives it in Hollywood’s bright lights. Keep an eye out for Kottas–already a successful working actress, she has only just begun to captivate audiences on and off screen.