- Sofia Shinas, 56, fell in love with music as a child but was not allowed to chase her dreams as her parents wanted her to focus on her studies
- She later switched to acting and made her film debut in the movie The Crow alongside Brandon Lee, who was accidentally shot while filming
- Now an animal activist, Sofia Shinas has shared her concerns for endangered species around the world
The Crow actress Sofia Shinas began her musical journey in high school and later on to a couple of musical theatres in her hometown. Her love for a musical career made her drop out of the University of Toronto against her parents’ wish.
Sofia Shinas later switched to acting after she released her last single State of Mind in 1992. From acting, she is now pursuing a filmmaker and director career.
Aside from her career in the entertainment industry, the Windsor native is also an animal activist and an avid supporter of welfare and conservation organizations.
Who is Sofia Shinas?
The former thespian now actress was born on January 17, 1968, in Windsor Ontario to a strict and disciplined family. Although she has not revealed details about her family members, it is safe to assume that she has siblings whom she grew up with.
While in high school, she performed in rock bands, and after she graduated, she enrolled at the University of Toronto. However, Sofia later left the university in pursuit of her music career in New York City.
Nevertheless, reports say she later went back to film school and also the USC School of Cinema-Television in 2008. In 2015, following the release of the thriller, My Stepdaughter, Shinas was credited for being the director of the film.
Take a Look at Some of Her Best Songs
Sofia Shinas worked with Warner Bros Records to release her debut album. She also co-wrote the songs with different producers and songwriters as well.
Here are some of her songs that are regarded as some of her best tracks.
1. The Message
Fake thug, no love, you get the slug, CB4 Gusto
Your luck low, I didn’t know til I was drunk though
You freak niggaz played out, get fucked and ate out
Prostitute turned bitch, I got the gauge out
96 ways I made out, Montana way
The Good-F-E-L-L-A, verbal AK spray…
- Album: Sofia Shinas
- Label: Warner Bros.
- Released: 1992
- Songwriter: Andres Levin, Christopher Max, and Sofia Shinas
- Producer:
- Genre: Electronic
- Credits: No. 20 on Billboard, No. 75 on the Hot 100 chart
Sofia Shinas released her first single The Message in 1992 and the song was well received. It reached No. 20 on Billboard’s Dance/Club Play chart and later No.75 on the Hot 100 chart.
The Message was her biggest hit from the album.
2. One Last Kiss
You make me believe
you really turn me on
But now you got me going in circles baby…
Ohh you’re driving me crazy
Are you leading me on
I don’t wanna be another casualty…
- Album: Sofia Shinas
- Label: Warner Bros.
- Released: 1992
- Songwriter: S. Shinas and M. Kaplan
- Producer: Mitch Kaplan, Daniel Abraham
- Genre: Electronic, Funk/Soul, Pop
One Last Kiss is the pop singer’s second self-titled album. Although it was not well received in the United States, it was said to be a minor hit in Canada.
There are speculations that the song didn’t really do well because it was a midtempo song and couldn’t be played in clubs.
3. State of Mind
Do you wanna feel good
Do you wanna feel good
Do you wanna feel good
Do you wanna feel good
…I’ll make you feel good
any place any time
state of mind…
- Label: Warner Bros.
- Released: 1992
- Songwriter: S. Shinas and M. Kaplan
- Producer: Mitch Kaplan, Daniel Abraham
- Genre: Electronic
- Credits:
The Canadian filmmaker got a Juno nomination for Most Promising Female Vocalist at the Juno Awards following the release of her last single State of Mind in 1993.
The single peaked at No. 16 on the Dance/Club Play chart and was a hit in nightclubs.
4. Soldier Boy
- Label: Warner Bros.
- Released: 1992
- Songwriter: Sofia Shinas, Mitch Kaplan, and George Lyter
- Producer: Ben Grosse
- Genre: Electronic
Sofia Shinas reportedly wrote the song in response to the Persian Gulf War. The singer imagined herself in the scene after she received a phone call from her brother during the crisis.
Is Sofia Shinas Married?
The trilingual actress seems to be single now as she has not shared any information about her love life. However, there are speculations that she was once involved with a man called Dr. Jordan Schaul.
Also, she has been linked with actor, Brandon Lee whom she acted in The Crow. The actors shared chemistry in the movie which led to rumors about them dating in real life.
Here are 7 Other Facts about Sofia Shinas
1. Sofia Shinas’s Parents Did Not Want Her to Pursue Her Musical Career
The Canadian singer has revealed that growing up, she suffered a peculiar kind of family crisis in which her parents strongly objected to her career choice. While her parents wanted her to focus on her academics, she was bent on chasing her music career.
As a result of that, her father reportedly did not speak to her for almost six months. However, Sofia has revealed that she has long reconciled with her father.
Ironically, Sofia Shinas grew up listening to her parents’ contemporary Greek music, and to her, Greek music is her favorite kind of music.
2. She Made Her Acting Debut in the Movie The Crow Alongside Brandon Lee
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The former Warner Records artist left her music career in 1993 to pursue another career as an actor and a director. She made her film debut in 1994 following her appearance in the action thriller The Crow which also became a box office.
Shortly afterward, she landed another role in Terminal Velocity together with Charlie Sheen and Nastassja Kinski. The singer-turned-actress later appeared in two episodes of the TV series The Outer Limits and also in one episode of The Hunger.
As a director, Shinas directed her first film titled, Spring Eternal as her thesis in 2008 at USC School of Cinema-Television.
Aside from acting and directing, Sofia Shinas made her first con appearance at Monster-Mania Con 27 in November 2013.
3. It Seems Sofia Shinas Has Done a Couple of Plastic Surgeries
According to reports, the 56 year-old actress might have undergone a couple of plastic surgeries which some of her fans believe might have ruined her face.
4. The 5’7′ actress is an animal activist
The actress is not just an animal activist but also an avid supporter of welfare and conservation organizations dedicated to helping endangered species of animals. She reportedly has not less than four cats and a dog.
She is said to be more interested in big cats, especially tigers.
5. Her co-actor in The Crow was Accidentally Killed on Set
Playing the role of Shelly in the movie, Sofia was to portray the character of Shelly, the fiancee of Eric Draven (Brandon Bruce Lee). While Brandon Lee was in the midst of filming on the set of The Crow, he was mistakenly shot with a bullet that had been trapped in the gun barrel.
Although the actor’s death has been ruled an accident due to negligence, actor, Michael Massee, who shot the gun was never the same after the incident. In fact, he also stated that he would never watch the movie which was still filmed and released in 1994.
Sofia Shinas and other actors were also on set when Brandon Lee died. The life and death of Brandon Lee have been likened to that of his father, Bruce Lee, who also died at the peak of his career.
6. What is Sofia Shinas’ Net Worth?
Having featured in just a couple of television shows and films, Sofia Shinas might not have earned quite a fortune. Although it is not certain, she is rumored to have garnered around $500,000 to $1 million from her career as an actor and a singer.
7. What is Sofia Shinas Up to Now?
Reports have it that Sofia Shinas was a teenage musical talent who became popular not just for her vocals but for owning her songs as well. Despite switching careers, she still works in a recording studio and has been trained in screenwriting, film direction, and production.
She has also earned a cinematic arts degree which certifies her as a writer and a producer. In recent times, the singer seems to be busy as an animal welfare advocate and has dedicated her time to caring for furry family members. Also, she uses her social media handles to draw attention to the plight of endangered wildlife species around the world.
