( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Multi-Award Winning Athlete, Entrepreneur, and Actress Kijsa Gifford Talks Sports, Acting, and Empowering Female Characters Through Norma Jean Entertainment
ENSPIRE Contributor: Kaitlyn Cruz
Kijsa Gifford is a multi-award-winning athlete, entrepreneur, and actress, and is a name you don’t want to miss. Kijsa is unique in that she has a rigorous background in collegiate sports. From gymnastics, volleyball, lacrosse, and even pole vaulting, the rising actress hopes to leverage these skills in a variety of action roles. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Kijsa spends much of her busy schedule traveling between the entertainment hubs of Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York City.
According to press materials, she recently wrapped a feature for the Lifetime Channel, is in pre-production for “Solace in the Little Things,” and appeared in the upcoming short “The Coffee Shop”. Keep an eye out for her, as she is slated to feature in several lead roles in films set for production in 2024. When not filming, Kirjsa hopes to work on a few projects of her own and has started her own production company, Norma Jean Entertainment.
What sparked your interest in acting and how did you get started?
I started acting when I was 4 years old. It began with plays and classes and auditioning for commercials. I had to step away from it to pursue sports, but always loved it and knew that I would return to it when I had an opportunity to.
Can you speak more about your background in collegiate sports? How did you get involved in so many sports and how has that impacted your career?
I was a gymnast from the age of 2, so sports were something that I grew up doing. I also competed in high-level club volleyball, lacrosse, and varsity cheer. I started pole vaulting in high school and will be competing in college.
How did you transition from a rigorous sports background to pursue acting?
I have been out for the last year because of a knee injury and decided it was time to pick acting back up while I was rehabbing my knee.
What do you hope to do with your production company Norma Jean Entertainment? What type of film projects do you hope to take on?
I am hoping to write scripts that fully develop female characters and show their range, personality, and psyche in a different way than what we typically see. I would like to produce films that inspire young girls to follow their dreams. My goal is to be a storyteller from our perspective and our generation that will resonate with people my age.
What is your favorite genre of film and which genres do you hope to be a part of?
I like drama and action films the best, but I also enjoy comedy and romantic comedies as well. I would love to be a part of a psychological thriller that has a great storyline and is also like a mystery as well.
What are some projects that audiences can catch you in? Can you speak more about future projects you’ll be acting in?
I have a lot of projects in the works that I cannot talk about just yet. But what I can say is that I just wrapped up a feature film for a cable TV channel that will be out in February 2024. I also was just in two different TV series that will be released on streaming platforms. I am in talks now for three feature films and a TV series. My short film projects are out now or are coming in early 2024, The Coffee Shop, Myra’s Last Hope, and The Time is Now. I liked The Time is Now where I could play a drug addict and show a completely different persona, which is not something that people would typically see me as. In Myra’s Last Hope, I play Starla, a young girl who was separated from her parents and stuck in a dystopian town. In The Coffee Shop, I play Jace, a barista in a unique story that follows the stories of various people who frequent a coffee shop.
In a world where versatility takes center stage, Kijsa Gifford emerges as a beacon of inspiration. From her early days as a gymnast to conquering multiple sports fields, and now gracing the screen with her compelling performances, Kijsa exemplifies the true essence of a modern Renaissance woman. As she navigates between the bustling cities of L.A., Atlanta, and New York, Kijsa’s commitment to storytelling and empowering female characters shines through. With Norma Jean Entertainment, she aspires to reshape the narrative and inspire young minds. As audiences eagerly await her upcoming projects, Kijsa Gifford stands poised on the precipice of an exciting chapter, ready to captivate hearts and minds with her talent and dedication to breaking barriers in the world of entertainment.
Related Articles:1st Sports Illustrated Model showing C-Section Scar, Actress Ashlei Foushee on Her Role in the Film On Fire
