Sasha Kerbel -People You Should Know- Kindness and Happiness Are Her Superpowers

Entertainment, Film Reviews, News — By Buddy Sampson on December 17, 2021 at 4:00 pm

More Than An Actress, The Benevolent Entertainer Epitomizes Kindness, a rarity in Hollywood.

By Buddy Sampson

The stunning actress arrives at the coffee shop, 20 minutes early for our interview. “I was just sitting in my car,” laughed the actress. “I try never to be late. I’m always early.”  Dressed in an unassuming manner, with jeans and a black sleeveless top, she epitomizes comfort meets practicality. A stickler in regards to time, we were surprised that she was there even before we arrived, a rarity in Hollywood.

Yes, the actress, Sasha Kerbel, undeniably, is much, much more than an actress. The rising star, an actress and former newscaster, is a rare breed in sometimes superficial Hollywood. Super talented and engaging, the actress is kind, self-depreciating and caring, always involved in human rights causes and charities. Quick to laugh and always open to others, including those of other cultures, the actress can be spotted at many charity and human rights functions. Last year, she was spotted at a human rights event, an event that honored civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. She feels strongly about human rights and feels that all cultures deserve a fair shake and equal opportunity. “Justice should always be equal,” said Sasha at the 2020 event. “My heart always aches when I read the articles and watch these viral videos- there’s so much inequality and it should be fixed.”

Born in Moscow, Russia, Sasha Kerbel had an impressive career as a news reporter on television in Moscow and later became a celebrity as a primetime radio host on one of the most popular FM stations in Moscow, Radio Maximum. From there she worked at several other popular FM stations in Moscow, establishing her as a dynamic presence in Russia.

One of her first projects in America was “Ten Days In A Madhouse,” (under the name Alexandra Callas) period piece that took place in 1887,  chronicling the life of a female investigative journalist, Nellie Bly.  “It was the movie that brought me here (to the States),” said Sasha. “It was nearly an all- woman cast, all the principal parts were played by women. It was a story about women locked up in a female mental facility where only a certain percentage of these women were actually ill. A lot of patients were thrown there because of poverty, or their husbands wanted to get their money or have a mistress, so it also became a punishment.”

The daughter of a celebrated Soviet sculptor, Lev Kerbel, (whose work is displayed at the Wende Museum in Los Angeles) Sasha came from a well-known family in Russia. “He was an artist,” said Sasha about her father. “He was doing his thing. He was in his own world. He thought that beauty and art can bring people together and save the world. He believed in love, friendship, building and creating. And I’m the same way.” Her sisters, Katya Kerbel and Julia Kerbel are also celebrated artists in their own right.

She lists her father as one of life influences, and she was inspired to be on camera when a camera crew came to her house to do a movie on her father. The producers included her and her sister in the movie. “There were scenes in which they engaged us,” said Sasha. “We were supposed to draw with a chalk on paper and they told us what to do, when to start drawing and I realized I really loved it. I loved to be directed and loved to be in front of the camera.” When asked what the attraction was, Sasha was candid. “The self-deprecating word for that would be that I was narcissistic,” she laughed. “Really narcissistic. I needed to be the center of attention. We all have issues, I guess.” Far from narcisstic, the actress is always self-depreciating and kind.

As a child, Sasha Kerbel found herself often in the presence of luminaries- politicians, actors and influential people of power because of the impact her father had as a sculptor. She found herself drawn to successful people and learned nuances and social graces. “He just knew everyone,” she said. “He was friends with a lot of people. He was very loved.” Although she decided to be on camera and pursue acting, it wasn’t that easy in Russia. There were only 5 universities that taught acting, and there was a considerable amount of nepotism, which delayed her career considerably. At 16, after several unsuccessful auditions for the colleges, Sasha was discouraged, but undaunted. “Once I make up my mind, I’m going to get something, I get it,” said Sasha.

Her grandmother suggested to Sasha that she attend a school of television hosts. Fortunately for Sasha, things in Russia at the time were loose, and she was able to find her way in. “I went to the college and pretended I was older,” she laughed, however when they asked for her paperwork, she was quick on her feet. “I said ‘well I was working in a provincial town and I left my diploma there. So I convinced them to take me without any papers proving anything- my age or my higher education. Don’t ask how, it was that time in the country.”

She excelled at the school and was offered an internship at a television station. While there, she filmed an incident that put the station on the map, a shooting incident that was broadcasted worldwide. “My station sold the footage to every major news service in the world,” she reflected. “So they immediately rewarded me. They immediately signed a contract with me and I became the youngest TV journalist in Russia. I was 17.” Later, she transitioned to radio and had a successful career in radio.

Since 2008, Sasha has taken time to solely focus on her acting career, working in theater and ultimately, in television and film.

The actress, who has lived in America for a mere six years, is making inroads in the circles of Hollywood with her undeniable talent, but is winning the hearts and minds of the public by her attention to social and human rights causes. But why does she get involved? Many of the human rights issues don’t directly affect her. “People always come first,” said Sasha, a fixture at events benefitting others. “We lift each other up, we have each other’s backs and that’s what we have to do as a society, as an individual, we have to make sure that everybody has an equal opportunity. “

Sasha is encouraged by current trends, and sees a potential shift in the creative properties and stories in Hollywood. “I’m really excited about the changes in inclusion and diversity, “ she said. “It’s not only about women (being in more diverse roles) it’s about everything. It’s about the LBGTQ community, of course people of color, and people with accents. I’m in that category. I’m a woman, I’m Eastern European, I speak with an accent. In the past, Eastern European accents were not accepted. You can only play parts that are described as Eastern European, part of a mob, or as a prostitute. But you couldn’t just play an American. And now I see it’s becoming possible.”

Currently, she has a podcast “The Lightning Hour,” with Rachelle Henry and Rico E. Anderson on YouTube.

Sasha, who has a brilliant, wide and engaging smile, has one secret to her radiant smile. “To be happy,” she said. “You should not ever give your power to other people to either make you happy or not. You and you only should make yourself happy or not.”

Sasha Kerbel plans on having a huge 2022. She played the role of Marilyn in a movie that’s slated to be released in 2022, “P.T.S.D.: A Soldier’s Revenge,” which features Robert LaSardo, Daniel Baldwin and Anaid Cooper among others. “It’s a true story,” said Sasha. “Statistically 22 military veterans a day commit suicide, and the film brings awareness to what veterans are going through after coming back home from war.”

Sasha Kerbel is destined to make an impact in Hollywood, not only because of her considerable talent, but because kindness and happiness are her true superpowers. It is for that reason that Sasha Kerbel is one of the People You Should Know.

 Follow Sasha Kerbel on Instagram @realsashakerbel.