Arrived on her own in New York in 1993, to attend "Circle in the Square" acting program. A year later, while working as a waitress, she was discovered by an agent. Two weeks later, she landed the female lead in Stargate (1994).
Speaking like a native American was important, "I didn't want my roles to be limited by language or culture". Success followed. She's been cast in American roles, as well as Southern, British, and others.