Canadian-born Christina Schimmel has been seen all over the place, most notably in Showtime’s Body Language. Christina had to step away from acting for a little over two years and in September 2011, came back swinging. Since then, she has starred in the films The Rising, The Rebel, and The Ghost Is a Lie. Christina will next be seen in the horror flick The Hospital. With all of this going for her, we can’t wait to see what she’ll be doing next.
We got a chance to catch up with this hottie, and get her responses to our favourite Q&A.
So Christina, where were you born, and how was life growing up?
I was born in Kamloops, B.C. in Canada and was raised in a small town in the North West Territories called Norman Wells. You’ve probably never heard of it. On a Discovery TV show, they referred to it as “an arctic outpost”. There were about 500 people living there when we moved there and I think there are about 800 people living there now. It’s small and has a very long winter but because it is so isolated I had a lot of freedom as a child, nothing really bad ever happened there.
What nationality are you?
I am Canadian but my mom is from Latvia, and my father’s side is Swedish and English.
How long have you been acting? How did you get your start in acting?
I started doing school and church plays when I was eight but didn’t really start to pursue acting until about seven years ago. Then I just came back to acting last fall after an almost 3-year break. I went to Africa and got sick there. It took me a few years to recover but this year has been really great, quite a comeback.
You’ve done some modelling too, right?
Years ago. It’s not something I tried to do but I would get asked to do things. Like, one night I was out partying in Reykjavik, Iceland and I was approached by a photographer who needed a Scandinavian girl for a cover, and he was shocked when I didn’t understand Icelandic. But I ended up doing the shoot, the cover for a book of Scandinavian fairy tales. He had a military vehicle and we travelled to remote places in Iceland to shoot it was an amazing experience but so cold out. I was in a bikini and it was well below freezing and snowing that day. Things like that would happen to me. I’ve always been lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
Were you on Showtime’s Body Language? At least we think that it was you.
Yes, that was me. I was just super blonde then.
How did you land that gig?
I auditioned and got handed scripts that same day. It was a very quick process.
Veronika London was on that show too. How was it working with her?
We never worked together I did the first season and turned down the second season, she was on the season. I turned it down because I found that I was getting offered only “sexy” type roles and I didn’t want to be typecast. Which is also why I became a brunette and it worked out for me and am now in the process of going blonde again.
Where else have we seen you?
Other than Body Language, I was featured in American Pie The Naked Mile, a few commercials, and on a few web series but the movies I have done are all being released this year. “The Hospital” will internationally premiere at Dark Zone/ Movie Days in Dortmund Germany and its North American premiere at The Alabama Phoenix festival in May. My other four movies are going to be released next year too I just don’t know the specifics yet. “Alison Undone and “The Ghost Is A Lie”, both from SKG films will be released late winter/early spring, “The Rising” is in the SFX part of editing so it should be out around early spring, and “I Wish You Love” probably won’t be out until next fall.
What kind of roles do you typically go for?
I love it when the roles I get are completely different and this year I have been lucky to have a wide variety of roles, from a diva to a police officer, a battered wife, a single mom, a severely depressed and suicidal woman, and an evil betrayer.
Do you consider yourself more of an actress or model?
I am an actress 100%. I’ve never considered myself a model. Sometimes I still get requests to do photoshoots but I am usually busy with filming which is my number one priority. I do a few photoshoots here and there because as an actress you need a variety of photos and they are fun to do.
What is the most difficult part of acting for you?
When production ends. It’s always sad. You’ve just spent so much time with a group of people and most of them you won’t see for a while especially when everyone is from a different part of the world. I get lonely afterwards. That is hard but you usually make new friends. I’ve met some really amazing people this year and we see each other from time to time which is nice.
Do you consider yourself famous?
No, not at all.
Do people recognize you when you’re out and about? If so, how do they react to or treat you?
Usually, now people (mostly men) are like “you look so familiar”. But I have had some people recognize me and want a picture together which is always fun to do.
What do you like best about being an actress?
Acting just feels like what I am supposed to be doing. It brings me joy to be able to do that.
What about modelling?
There is a lot of preparation with acting but I think in my modelling you have to have the genes and be at least 5’8″. I never did a lot of modelling because I am not that tall.
What would you be if you weren’t acting or modelling?
I would probably be a writer. I write from time to time and actually have an article being published in an academic text in a few weeks. I would live in the tropics, be a beach bum and write stuff.
What would the average person say about you?
Geez, I don’t know, but I hope nice things!
What’s one thing about yourself that everyone should know?
That I’m friendly. I love interacting with my fans.
Are you a good dancer?
Not bad.
What do guys compliment you most on?
My smile and my eyes. People always think I am wearing coloured contacts and fake eyelashes – but I am not.
What kind of guys are you into? Do you like the nerdy type, MMA fighter guy or the regular Joe?
I don’t know if I have an exact type but I love a guy that is intelligent and has a great sense of humour. I like nice guys too. I don’t get why lots of women are into jerks it’s strange to me.
Are you seeing anyone? Do we stand a chance with you?
I am engaged now.
Do you have any secret weaknesses or guilty pleasures?
I love massages. I can’t get enough of them!
What’s your biggest turn on?
Confidence. When a man is sure of himself nothing is sexier.
Do you consider yourself more of a “giver” or a “taker”?
I think a bit of both.
What is the most romantic thing a guy has done for you?
Be himself. I hate big showy “romantic” things done for me it always feels so awkward. I’ve had guys write poems, songs, send flowers, etc. You know these types of romantic gestures and I don’t know why I don’t like them. Maybe I am missing that part of my DNA. I think the most romantic thing someone can do is be themself, that takes real courage.
If you could have any car you wanted, what would it be?
Anything that is environmentally friendly and comes with a driver because I don’t know how to drive.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can figure skate and speak Japanese.
What would you consider your strongest attribute?
My ability to adapt especially in a crisis. When things are crazy I am always able to stay calm and focus on what needs to be done.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?
Since it’s fall now and getting cold in Toronto I would go anywhere warm and tropical. I hate the cold!
What do you normally sleep in?
A bed. It really depends on the season and what I wear to bed though.
What is your favourite food?
Pasta. Luckily I am a vegetarian so I can eat pasta and not get fat.
Who is your favourite comedian?
Will Ferrell is so funny. I never miss any of his movies.
What do you do for fun?
My favourite thing to do is go to the beach.
Do you like video games? If so, what do you play?
I love video games. I have an Xbox. I am currently playing Halo 3. I loved the Final Fantasy series too.
Are you into sports? Do you have a favourite sports team?
I love basketball and go to lots of Raptors games. I just really hope they do better this year.
What are your dreams and goals?
I would like to be able to help people more than I can now. I am a huge supporter of animal and human rights.
You already have the whole actress thing going for you. What’s next for you?
I have a role in the upcoming dramatic coming of age feature “Full Circle” playing a young drug addicts mom, it is a very meaty role and is directed by Graziano Mainolfi, and in the action feature “Violet Is Blue” playing a mob bosses sexy ex-wife which I think will be a blast to shoot. I have a few more projects in the works but no official announcements right now.
Photography by: Cynthia Bugala, MUA: Crystal Phillip
