Words by Olivia Ehrenberger

Ruby O. Fee: Soft Power

Ruby O. Fee has been in front of the camera for most of her life, yet the woman she is today feels more self-defined than ever. Her work spans acting and producing, but it’s her way of moving through each space with presence that stands out. In our conversation, she talks about growth and identity, about creativity as something that needs both courage and vulnerability, and about the kind of stories she’s ready to tell next.

Olivia Ehrenberger: “The Life of Wishes” looks closely at the tension between what we want and what sustains us. How did working on it make you rethink your own wishes and needs?

Ruby O. Fee: Working on this film encouraged me to look at my desires with a new sense of clarity and courage. It helped me recognize what truly inspires me right now: deep connection, creative independence, and the joy of building something meaningful, both in front of and behind the camera. This new focus energizes me and guides the way I approach my artistic choices and the projects I’m working on as an entrepreneur.

You grew up across multiple countries and languages. How did that environment contribute to the person and artist you’ve become?

Growing up across different countries and languages was a gift that shaped me early on. It made me adaptable, open-minded, and deeply curious about people. I learned to feel at home in many places and to connect quickly, no matter the setting. That cultural mix really shapes my work. It gives me a wider emotional range and a sensitivity I bring into every role and onto every set, and now also into the projects I’m producing.

“I want to explore characters who grow, who struggle, who reinvent themselves.”

You’ve been on sets since your teenage years. What helped you stay connected to your own voice, instead of just fitting into what the industry expects?

Starting my career so young gently pushed me to learn about boundaries much earlier than most. It wasn’t always easy, and it’s still something I’m continually working on. I’ve learned to protect the parts of myself that feel sacred and to keep people close who see and appreciate the real me, not just the image. Choosing to trust my own instincts, even when it meant taking risks instead of fitting in, has become a quiet compass for me.

With shoots and red carpets, you’re always in the spotlight. How do you make sure your style choices still reflect who you are?

Style has always been something playful for me, ever since I was a child. It’s a space where I can express emotions, shift energy, and explore different sides of myself. Even with cameras and red carpets, I try to keep that sense of curiosity. Styling isn’t about perfection for me; it’s a creative tool, a way to tell a story without saying a word.

“I’ve learned to protect the parts of myself that feel sacred and to keep people close who see and appreciate the real me, not just the image.”

You move very naturally between softness and strength. How do you balance the two without losing either one?

I don’t see them as opposites. My strength comes from my softness, from letting myself feel things instead of shutting them down. I stopped ranking the two. Some days I’m bold, some days I’m gentle, and both versions are true.

What does feeling powerful in your body mean to you right now?

Power, for me, begins with presence, really arriving in my own body with kindness. When I take care of myself, rest well, move in ways that feel good, and honor my boundaries. I feel grounded and strong. It’s less about how I look and so much more about self-love, trust, and treating myself with respect.

Many young women look at you as proof that it’s possible. What would you tell them about pace and pressure?

You don’t have to do everything at once. I know the pressure is intense, but growth needs time and moments to slow down. Success feels better when it’s sustainable. Move at a pace your nervous system can actually handle.

“My strength comes from my softness, from letting myself feel things instead of shutting them down.”

In film, women are often watched more than they’re listened to. How do you make sure people hear you?

I choose spaces that allow real depth, conversations, collaborations, projects where I’m not just an image but a voice. And I try to speak clearly, even when it’s uncomfortable, because when you stand in your truth consistently, people eventually listen.
I founded my production company for exactly that reason: to create stories with substance and strong, complex female characters. Work that elevates women and gives them the space to be fully themselves.

You’ve played many different women. What emotional territory would you like to explore next?

I’m drawn to women who feel real, layered, imperfect, and fully human. I want to explore characters who grow, who struggle, who reinvent themselves. Stories that show women in all their dimensions always inspire me the most.

Outside of film, what creative work makes you feel most understood as an artist?

What I love most right now is that I don’t have to choose. I feel most understood as an artist when I can use all my strengths, whether I’m acting, producing, developing stories behind the camera, or building my own brand. There are many creative balls in the air at the moment, and I truly enjoy the juggling. It feels like I’m finally exploring my full range, and that kind of freedom is incredible.

When you look back at the girl from your very first role to the woman you are now: What experiences shaped your growth?

There isn’t just one single moment; there have been countless moments that shaped me. Some were loud and life-changing, others were quiet and barely noticeable at the time. But they all added up. People always say life is a collection of moments, and I truly feel that. Every role, every challenge, and every small decision has helped me grow into the woman I am now. And I hope there are many more moments still to come.

Credits
Image Courtesy of Lina Tesch

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