Hailing from Burgas, Bulgaria, 25 year-old actress and producer Simona Rose was born into a family of performing artists. She first began performing on stage in her parents acrobatics act when she was eight. When she was eleven, she was given a solo act in the show in which she entertained the crowd with a very impressive hand balancing act and Hula Hoop performance, to name just a couple of her highlights.
Simona began her acting career a few years ago when she was cast in a popular Bulgarian TV series. She has since appeared in award-winning short films and has even stepped behind the camera to make her directorial debut in the short drama The Foreigner, which earned Simona best actress and best producer recognition at the 2025 Makizhmithran International Film Festival. Read on to learn more of this up and coming talented lady, who is fast making a name for herself in the United States indie film industry.
CHRIS CHARLES: Thank you so much for taking the time do do this, Simona. It this your first, or one of your first interviews with a publication?SIMONA ROSE: Hello and thank you so much for having me! No, I did an interview for “Horror Facts” a few months ago. And one online kind of a questionnaire for Phil Herman!
CHRIS: You are a manager of Euphoria Show and are also a performer. What sorts of acts do you perform?
SIMONA: Yes, I have a whole variety show with my mom that we both manage and perform in since 2019. The acts that I do are Hand Balancing, Hula Hoop and I participate in Quick Change act and Light Effects act with my mom.
CHRIS: I see you also did a hand balance and Hula Hoop act when you were with the Bobby and Bobby show when you were a teenager?
SIMONA: Yes, back then I worked with both my parents. I have been traveling around Europe and a few countries off Asia and Africa with them and I was their backstage assistant since I was 5. Later on with their help, I started preparing some acts and joined their spectacular show when I was 11.
CHRIS: Are you naturally flexible or did you have to work to develop your flexibility?
SIMONA: This is the same way when you see a famous actor or musician and you say they’re very talented! There is always a dose of natural talent and there is also a ton of rehearsals and training to be done to develop what you naturally have!
SIMONA: Well, yes. I was born around artists and I have always been on stage and around performers and musicians so it came naturally to me to want to be connected to the arts as well.
CHRIS: When was your first time on stage?
SIMONA: When I was 4-5 years old, I used to stay on the stage and rehearse some things and have fun when the curtains were down. When I became around 8-9 I started getting up on stage in front of audience and at 11 I already had my first act in the show.
CHRIS: What was your very first film project?
SIMONA: My very first connection to filming was when I was an extra in the Bulgarian TV series Sunny Beach, Season 3. My first main role was in the short movie Drums, written and directed by my dear friend Miroslav Petkov, who became like my brother at some point.
CHRIS: In Whisper 2: Natural Connection, your character walks to an abandoned building in place called Bonnivar Park, which I believe is a fictitious name. Where was that actually filmed?
SIMONA: This was filmed near my home city Burgas in Bulgaria, Eastern Europe.
CHRIS: What was is like filming that scene?
SIMONA: It was very interesting and fun and I loved working with all the crew on set.
CHRIS: I see you are currently working on the upcoming film Crowbar. What can you tell me about that one and your role in it?
SIMONA: Crowbar is Phil Herman’s next movie, and we are currently still discussing and tweaking my role. There is not much to say about it, since it’s still very early in production, but it’s about a cop, a killer and well, a crowbar. Oh, and apparently it will have a lot of blood in it.
CHRIS: Would you say horror is your favorite film genre?
SIMONA: To be honest, me and Miroslav Petkov have already made quite some projects together that fit in the horror category, but in my personal life I haven’t watched many horror movies or series as I’ve always payed attention to other genres in the film industry. Although, I’m planning to catch up with that soon!
CHRIS: Is there anyone in independent films, on either side of the camera, you particularly hope to work with someday?
SIMONA: Well, I had the pleasure to do OnlyFangs for Paul Ragsdale. The scene we shot is pretty cool and I can’t wait to see the final cut and have a bigger role next time, maybe? (laughs).
I know Phil Herman has wanted to have me in one of his movies for quite some time so I’m looking forward to that.
Recently we also had Morrigan Milam for a short scene for our first feature movie “WHISPERS.” She did such great work that I can’t wait to work together again someday.
CHRIS: I see you are also credited as a producer.
SIMONA: Yes, I helped Miroslav with producing on some of our latest movies as I very much liked the scripts and the actors. I also helped for the actors casting on WHISPERS.
CHRIS: What are some of the other behind-the-scenes jobs you have done while on a film shoot?
SIMONA: One of the toughest jobs to do is finding the perfect looking set. We have the script and the idea of what the set for the scene has to look like and from there we start the search. Another job is when I direct or co-direct and you have to coordinate with the director of photography since you don’t always have the time and chance to take the perfect shot. I have also helped with wardrobe and makeup a few times.
CHRIS: You also sing and play guitar?
SIMONA: Kind of (laughs). Music has always been a big passion of mine. I started off with guitar, but then quickly switched up to singing as I always wanted to use my voice and be a frontman. I didn’t get that far with guitar or any other instruments in that matter, although I have electronic drums and midi keyboard at home, alongside with two guitars; classical and electric.
CHRIS: Do you have any skills or hobbies outside of the performing arts?
SIMONA: Well, except of singing and attempting to play instruments, I sometimes write songs, I love to dance, mainly contemporary, modern ballet and lately into high heels dancing. I also love reading books and researching stuff on psychology, religion, spirituality, astrology, numerology, clairvoyants stuff, etc. I really do have a lot of hobbies! (laughs)
CHRIS: I see you have several tattoos on both arms and your hands. Is there a significance to all of your tattoos?
CHRIS: Oh, just one last question: Something I’m curious about is why your e-mail is under the name “Simona Depp”?
SIMONA: (Laughs) Because this is my e-mail since I was a child and I’m a huge fan of Johnny Depp! I should change it
CHRIS: Ah, I see. So with that, I’ll thank you again for doing this for Idol Features, Simona. In closing, do you have anything to say to friends and fans?
SIMONA: Thanks to everyone who is supporting me and to everyone who is not supporting me. My advice is be more gentle to people. Also dream big and follow your dreams! Thank you once again for having me and see you soon! Regards, Simona Rose.
Simona in the 2024 horror short, Drums.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
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