Kirsten Lea

Kirsten Lea was born in London, England and is the daughter of Charlie Lea, who produced and managed actor Anthony Newley, husband of actress Joan Collins. Kirsten was brought up immersed in the acting profession and first appeared on stage at the tender age of four, when her father invited her to tread the boards of the world famous stage at the London Palladium, where he worked as a producer. Kirsten began taking classes in performing arts from the age of four, and was consequently cast in the lead roles in plays as soon as she began attending preparatory school. Throughout her teens, she continued to win the lead roles in plays such as Romeo & Juliet, Great Expectations, A Midsummer's Night Dream and Wuthering Heights. She twice won awards for Best Actress at her local theatre school and later went on to teach children Dance and Drama at the Theatre Train School in London. After her father's death when she was just sixteen, she chose not to attend a formal drama school, despite winning a scholarship to one. Instead she continued to take private tuition under a range of dance, drama and music coaches while earning a degree in Art History and Journalism. After passing her examinations with distinctions, Kirsten worked for several magazines including Harpers & Queen and had regular features published in magazines such as Company, Women's Health, Total Style, Ms London, Girl About Town and The Magazine Guide. She also wrote a monthly fashion column for British newspaper, The Union Jack, published across America, while also appearing as a model and cover girl for numerous other publications. Kirsten began writing screenplays in her early twenties and finally turned her hand to production, when she produced a million pound Variety Theatre Show in honor of her late father, in place of her own wedding reception. The show featured family show business friends such as comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, Mind Reader Graham P. Jolley and Grammy-Nominated Jazz Pianist Jamie Cullum. Kirsten also hosted the show. Continuing her intensive study of acting with private drama teachers in England throughout her early twenties, it was while attending a master class at the London Academy of Film that Kirsten came to the attention of renowned director and acting coach Milfid Ellis, who has described Kirsten as "having a real gift". Milfid has since supported Kirsten in both the classroom and on location. In early 2008, Kirsten made a highly publicized appearance at both the Spirit Awards for Independent Film and the 80th Annual Academy Awards ® where she was one of 'the most photographed stars on the red carpet'.