Katrina
Syran
01.
What is your professional title, purpose or passion?
Singer-Songwriter & Actor, mum of 4, animal lover with dogs, cat & parrot. I’m passionate about creating, I love being pregnant, if my husband didn’t stop me I’m sure I could have had 10. I love writing, performing , sculpturing, painting, any type of creation I’m passionate about. The last few years music has taken a huge portion of my life, spending time in my studio writing new songs is my ultimate bliss.
03.
What did you want to do when you were a child and what changed?
As a child I wanted to be “Scarlett”, “Gone With The Wind”. My drive was to become an actress and play a lead role in The WestEnd, that I achieved. Everything changed after meeting my husband, “Scarlett” kind of became my reality, and my career as a professional pop artist happened. My husband moved me to Switzerland where I was introduced to Paul Sutin who works with Phil Collins, Jackson brothers.
05.
What's the best career advice you've ever been given?
That I need to focus my energy in one direction. My creativity is very disparate , I have a finger in every pie. Teachers at Guildhall School of Music & Drama picked up on that and told me to channel everything in one direction. Don Grierson who is behind the Beatles, Tina Turner, Celine Dion just to mention a few is telling me the same.
07.
What is the best thing about your current working environment?
The people I’m working with. As we all know nothing can be done by yourself alone. We need others to achieve something! I feel so lucky to be working with such talented, creative and inspiring people !
09.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
On my own K-Syran Tour. My introduction to the pop world was the UK tour with Blue four years ago.
11.
Tell us more about a charitable organisation or project you think is great.
Human Rights Watch is a wonderful organisation, they are today’s real James Bond’s. Also I adore Madeleine Rees, OBE and her organisation, Women’s International League For Peace and Freedom.
13.
What drives you?
Passion, determination and stubbornness I will never give up. Fighting for issues that are bigger than myself is for sure my drive.
15.
Any final comments?
Persistence is key!
02.
What does a normal day look like for you?
A morning kiss from my hubby. I will make myself a coffee getting breakfast ready, without it I feel everything could go very wrong. Tried the non caffeine for 3 days and my head hurt terribly! Rush kids off, finish my coffee and take dogs for a walk. Around 10 I will be in my studio warming up my voice and start improvs. Lunch I will either have with my husband or with a friend or someone work related. Then I’m on the phone non stop until supper time where I will cook something healthy. Family dinners are crucial to me that’s where we get to discuss about our days and all our experiences.
04.
What have you achieved that you feel most proud of?
My play “Breaking The Silence” written for Human Rights Watch. I’m passionate about raising awareness for women. There are still so much to do. The play brings up domestic violence, FGM, I was so lucky to get to use Waris Dirie’s words from “Desert Flower”, child marriage, sexual violence in conflict, we were nominated “best” play at the summit of Angelina Jolie & William Hague” To End Sexual Violence In Conflict”.
06.
Tell us about a a woman who inspires you
Tina Turner! She is a fireball!
08.
What was your biggest failure?
My biggest failure was not to get “The Fifth Element” by Luc Besson. It was Milla Jovovich and me.
10.
What do you like most about yourself?
My hair. If it wasn’t for my hair I would be like everyone else, and I’ve always wanted to be different.
12.
How can we make the world more inclusive and accepting?
Through art. I believe that is the best communication and bring us all together. Music is unifying!
14.
What skills have been key to your journey so far?
Performing, my musical background with both parents being in the artistic world. My dad playing every instrument under the sun, and my mum being first Norwegian model for Balmain.