Just when you think you know a stranger, they turn around and surprise you.

That was the case with Leanne Wong, the 51st person I’ve met on my quest to have lunch with 500 strangers.

I connect with most of these strangers via LinkedIn, which means I get to learn a bit about them before our meeting. I knew from Leanne’s profile that she was in sales. But what I didn’t know was that she’s also an aspiring actor.

Leanne did a bit of performing while she was in high school, but it was only in 2017 that she decided to get an agent and take the craft seriously.

Acting is an incredibly competitive business, as Leanne explained, with even seasoned actors struggling to get roles. Leanne has scored a few TV spots and is working hard to land some more.

Last week, she attended an audition for a TV commercial for a major beverage company.

Leanne also recently did an in-home audition for a major gaming company – that one involved videoing herself reading the script.

Not many people would have the courage to pursue an acting dream. I salute Leanne and can’t wait for the day she’s so famous she pretends we never met.