“Probably Mildly Unstable”:
Heidi Valkenburg on Art,
Survival, and Staying True to Herself

Nosebleeds on set, dumpster dives with co-stars, and the kind of honesty most artists avoid. Heidi Valkenburg opens up about what it really takes to keep going.

In the heart of New York City, Australian-born actor Heidi sits across from me, exuding the kind of magnetic energy that seems both carefully cultivated and entirely effortless. "Probably mildly unstable but fun to be around," she says with a laugh when asked how her peers would describe her. The self-assessment feels refreshingly honest, a quality that defines our entire conversation.

Heidi's journey began early, on the set of "Book Bugs," an Australian children's show that adapted books for television. "I was a vivacious and energetic child with an unusual amount of self-confidence," she recalls of her 10-year-old self. "I had to learn some basic trombone!" She mentions this detail with the casual air of someone accustomed to the bizarre requirements of the entertainment industry.

Like many Australian actors, Heidi had her "rite of passage" on the iconic soap opera "Neighbours," playing mean girl Jessica Wallace. The experience came with unexpected real-world consequences. "I remember one day walking down the street in Melbourne and some kids yelled 'It's that B*** from Neighbours' and threw a pastry at me," she says, seemingly amused by the memory. "Being on set was like high school. We were a huge bunch of young adults getting into constant trouble."

Despite this early exposure, Heidi insists her big break hasn't happened yet—a telling indicator of her artistic ambition. Her resume includes a Cannes Film Festival-nominated short film called "Happy Melancholy," which she describes as "an odd surreal love story where two unconventional strangers meet in a janitor's closet and together take a vacation from reality into a dreamscape of color."

When celebrity anecdotes arise in our conversation, Heidi shares a moment that perfectly captures the surreal nature of her profession. "I was working on a film in Australia with Peter Dinklage, and my character had to wear an engagement ring as part of my wardrobe," she begins. "I was finishing lunch before being called to set, and as I was scraping my food scraps in the trash, the prop engagement ring fell in the trash can." What followed was a scene worthy of a comedy: Heidi digging through garbage when Dinklage appeared, concerned about what she was doing. Upon learning she'd lost her "engagement ring," the "Game of Thrones" star "practically dives in the trash can himself" to help recover it. "I didn't have the heart to tell him it was only a prop once we eventually fished it out," she admits.

Such charming mishaps have followed Heidi throughout her career. Since breaking her nose at fourteen, she's prone to spontaneous nosebleeds—a condition that has created some memorably awkward on-set moments. "I've had two nosebleeds on set—one was during a make-out scene, and the other was a hugely emotional breakdown moment," she reveals. "Hearing 'Cut—Heidi, you're bleeding' and seeing the horror in a co-star's face as they slowly back away from me is always a dull fear living in the back of my mind."

But it's when discussing her craft that Heidi becomes most animated. Working with renowned acting coach Larry Moss in a master class at 16th Street Actors Studio was "nothing short of a spiritual experience," she says. Moss, who has coached Leonardo DiCaprio, Hilary Swank, and Jim Carrey, among others, left a profound impression. "He truly is a magical person. I've never seen an acting coach intuitively be able to read humans and get the best out of them as actors the way he can. A part of me thinks he's psychic."

Currently, Heidi is studying at Esper Studios with Barbara Marchant, whose impressive credentials include serving as Associate Chair of the Theater Department at Rutgers University and co-founding the Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare's Globe in London. "I'm finding her insight and energy very grounding and motivating," Heidi says.

Recent years have brought unexpected challenges. Like many, Heidi battled long COVID, a period she describes as "lengthy and scary." The experience transformed her relationship with her body and her art. "After recovering from long COVID, it took a long time for my energy levels to reach a point of basic functionality," she explains. "I really wanted to explore what my body could do after such a debilitating stint in bed and having minimal ability to move."

This exploration led her to immersive dance and theater in New York City—a silver lining to her health struggles. "I tapped into movement exploration in a deeper way once I was out the other side, and carry it with me now in my work," she says.

Looking ahead, Heidi is eager for new challenges. "I'm ready to do some off-Broadway in New York that's less dance-focused. I'm excited to jump into a meaty play and use my voice again." Beyond acting, she's nurturing her identity as a visual artist and writer. "I'm currently irrefutably in love with ceramic sculpture and in the process of putting together a gallery show that combines performance with my works."

When asked what advice she would give to others in her field, Heidi doesn't hesitate: "Make sure you can afford therapy. Of both the somatic and talk variety." Her elaboration reveals both the challenges and the calling of her chosen path. "Choosing to be an artist in this day and age when you haven't been born into wealth or have a financial leg up in any capacity can be truly grueling and soul-crushing at times. The fact of the matter is, I have no choice. To be me is to be an artist. If I don't create in some capacity, I die."

This determination, combined with hard-earned wisdom, has taught her to be selective about roles. "The older you get, more confidence you have in saying no to projects that simply don't align with your values or feel soul-enriching," she reflects. "There was a time I was accepting roles because I thought I should say yes to everything. I don't do that anymore."

As our conversation draws to a close, Heidi shares what experience has taught her: "Life is long and we are forever learning and evolving as artists and humans. It's never too late to do anything. And taking breaks is more than okay; it's imperative for one's artistic and personal growth."

From the trash can adventures with Peter Dinklage to the dance studios of post-COVID recovery, Heidi's journey embodies the resilience and reinvention central to an artist's life. As she balances acting, movement, ceramics, and writing, one gets the impression that her most exciting work still lies ahead.
As a director, Heidi has redefined traditional filmmaking conventions, integrating psychological depth into her projects. Her works resonate with authenticity, often highlighting underrepresented voices and bringing light to societal issues. This commitment to realism shines through in her films, which fuse a rich narrative with stunning cinematography — crafting an unforgettable viewer experience.