Croatian Actress Bojana Gregorić Vejzović Recounts Childhood Passion for Ballet and Injury-Led Turn to Acting

Bojana Gregorić Vejzović, a beloved Croatian actress, recently appeared on the "Velika pitanja malih ljudi" radio show, hosted by Maša Gavranić. In a relaxed conversation, she delved into her childhood, her early love for ballet, and the path that led her to acting.

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I had posters on the wall. I collected them and plastered them all over my room. When I changed them, the paint came off the wall, so I agreed with my mom that I would only put them on the door from then on.

Vejzović recalled decorating her room with posters from Bravo magazine, a testament to her childhood idols. Her passion for ballet ignited at age five, a dream she pursued until an injury at fifteen and a half, while dancing at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, prompted a change. This setback led her to consider acting, and she subsequently enrolled in the Academy of Dramatic Arts.

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I fell in love with ballet at five years old. I told my mom I would be a ballerina. She didn't take me seriously, but I was persistent until she took me to ballet school.

Despite years away from professional ballet, Vejzović retains some of her former skills, even walking on her toes during a recent performance of "Carmina Burana." She humorously noted the difficulty after nearly 30 years, admitting her hip ached after each performance. The actress also shared her preference for playing negative characters, explaining that she immerses herself in the role to portray emotions authentically. While acknowledging various techniques for inducing tears, including menthol sticks, she favors genuine emotion.

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At fifteen and a half, I came to HNK Zagreb, where I danced. Then an injury happened to me, and I started thinking why I shouldn't stop with the pain. I was young enough to enroll in studies, so I went to the Academy of Dramatic Arts.

When faced with forgetting lines on stage, Vejzović relies on prompters or improvises. She also touched upon her role as a mother, admitting to being strict at times, a necessity for all parents. Her children are currently pursuing different paths; her son studies economics, and her daughter is interested in law, though she is still young at 15. Ultimately, Vejzović emphasized the profound importance of family and the joy it brings her.

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I still know how to walk on my toes. I recently had the play "Carmina Burana" and at one point I come on tiptoe. It was very difficult for me after almost 30 years, and after each performance my hip hurts.