Kalumi Chats with Susie Abromeit (Actress)
You may recognize her from MARVEL’S Jessica Jones or Hallmark’s A Perfect Christmas, actress and model, Susie Abromeit, tells us how she stays healthy in Hollywood.
So you live in LA now, but where are you from originally?
Carlisle, MA. It's a colonial suburb outside of Boston.
“I created a show called “Famous Adjacent” which is essentially a gritty girl version of ENTOURAGE before they made it. ”
You're a woman of many talents, can you tell us about them?
Thank you, that’s so lovely. I guess you would call me an athlete, an artist and a storyteller. I am deeply fascinated by the human psyche and what we are capable of, the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m sure that’s why I became an actor, to go to places that most people won’t explore, to try and understand why people do what they do and what makes them tick, to still have empathy for their stories at the end of the day. For many years, I thought being an artist was a fruitless endeavor and focused on my athletic career. It wasn't until college that I realized I could pursue the arts professionally and that it was the only thing that made sense to me. After college, I was living my dream, having my songs played on the radio and acting in films and on television. Recently, I created a show called "Famous Adjacent” which is essentially a gritty, girl version of ENTOURAGE before they made it.
Do you have weaknesses? If so, what are they?
I have so many, ha! Where do I begin? My tact and timing is laughably atrocious. I interrupt people, usually out of fear that I’ll forget what I want to say and no longer be able to contribute to a conversation. As a result, I find myself acting like an impulsive little kid. I tend to repeat myself and my stories because my short term memory kind of sucks. I’m working on listening because I’m pretty bad at it. These are all my embarrassing weaknesses, but lately I've been able to find humor in them. I’m also scared of heights, surfing big waves and am insecure at times. Not insecure in my abilities or accepting who I am, but insecure that others won’t accept me.
What inspired you to become an actress?
When I was five, I would watch films like the Wizard of Oz and sit in the audience of our town's local plays and felt inspired by how you could express yourself and get lost in a story. The ability to be able to move people to such emotions and make them feel empathy was so powerful and inspiring to me.
I have so many, ha! Where do I begin? My tact and timing is laughably atrocious. I interrupt people, usually out of fear that I’ll forget what I want to say and no longer be able to contribute to a conversation. As a result, I find myself acting like an impulsive little kid. I tend to repeat myself and my stories because my short term memory kind of sucks. I’m working on listening because I’m pretty bad at it. These are all my embarrassing weaknesses, but lately I've been able to find humor in them. I’m also scared of heights, surfing big waves and am insecure at times. Not insecure in my abilities or accepting who I am, but insecure that others won’t accept me.
What inspired you to become an actress?
When I was five, I would watch films like the Wizard of Oz and sit in the audience of our town's local plays and felt inspired by how you could express yourself and get lost in a story. The ability to be able to move people to such emotions and make them feel empathy was so powerful and inspiring to me.
“We get into the nitty gritty of the amazing parts of the industry and the not so great parts. We definitely explore young women’s sexuality being exploited, that is something that I see going on very often in this industry. ”
What's it like being a woman in the industry?
It’s been pretty amazing so far, there are more opportunities for women than ever before. My show FAMOUS ADJACENT explores all of this. Our story is centered around an actress, a writer/director, and a manager. These characters' experiences are loosely based on my own, my writing partner and former manager's experiences as well. We get into the nitty-gritty of it all, the really amazing parts of the industry and the not so great parts. We definitely explore young women’s sexuality being exploited, that is something that I see going on very often in this industry.
What are you currently working on?
What are you currently working on?
I just wrapped FAMOUS ADJACENT and now we're going into post production. I wrote, produced and acted in it with my co-creator Christie Campo and a bevy of amazing talent. Kellan Lutz also acted and is a producer on it as well. Also my film, A PERFECT CHRISTMAS is coming out on the Hallmark Channel on July 16th at 9pm, which is also pretty exciting.
Are there any actresses you look up to?
I recently met Jane Fonda and I think she is just the best.
Are there any actresses you look up to?
I recently met Jane Fonda and I think she is just the best.
“My identity is not my youth, nor beauty. I am so much more than that.”
There's a picture of you on Instagram with several stitches in your lip, would you mind telling us about it?
I fainted in the middle of the night. I had a pinched nerve in my neck. It was so bad that I could barely get out of bed. When I tried stretching it, that was when I fainted. I think I just got up too soon.
For a while I didn’t do a lot of looking in the mirror. It was the only thing I could see. In a way, it was a gift because I realized I am not my face. My identity is not my youth, nor beauty. I am so much more than that. It’s liberated me from not trying to be perfect anymore. After that happened, that was when I found the extra energy to really focus on created my show FAMOUS ADJACENT.
For a while I didn’t do a lot of looking in the mirror. It was the only thing I could see. In a way, it was a gift because I realized I am not my face. My identity is not my youth, nor beauty. I am so much more than that. It’s liberated me from not trying to be perfect anymore. After that happened, that was when I found the extra energy to really focus on created my show FAMOUS ADJACENT.
“I love doing yoga, pilates, running, going to the gym, and just working out outside”
How do you stay fit and active? Do you have any beauty tips or secrets to share?
I love doing yoga, pilates, running, going to the gym, and just working out outside. My beauty secret would be wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun.
Is it hard to stay healthy on set and while traveling? How do you do it?
Being on set I always find myself going to crafty. It can be hard finding a routine to get to the gym but I try to find a local yoga studio nearby. I always bring my running shoes when I'm on the road, since you can run pretty much anywhere.
“My greatest accomplishment so far (career wise) has been being part of the cast on the Netflix show JESSICA JONES and bringing to life my show FAMOUS ADJACENT”
What would consider your greatest accomplishment (thus far)?
My greatest accomplishment so far (career wise) has been being part of the cast on the Netflix show JESSICA JONES and bringing to life my show FAMOUS ADJACENT. However, I believe my greatest accomplishment thus far is learning to love myself, having great relationships with my family and friends. Having extraordinary love in my life and developing healthy amazing relationships is the most important thing for me.
My greatest accomplishment so far (career wise) has been being part of the cast on the Netflix show JESSICA JONES and bringing to life my show FAMOUS ADJACENT. However, I believe my greatest accomplishment thus far is learning to love myself, having great relationships with my family and friends. Having extraordinary love in my life and developing healthy amazing relationships is the most important thing for me.
Any hopes for the future?
To continue the path I’m on by creating the content I want to see in the world, deepening the extraordinary love and relationships in my life including the man in my life, my friends and family, and seeing my show FAMOUS ADJACENT on a network like Netflix, HBO, or showtime.
We want to see that happen too! Do you have any advice for budding actresses or women who want to work in the industry?
Watch FAMOUS ADJACENT. It gives you an insight to everything you’ll need to know about being a woman in the industry. Your guidebook/cautionary tale to everything we went through. :)
xo, Kalumi