Actor Dawn Olivieri has revealed how a career slowdown in Hollywood became the unexpected turning point that changed her life. After years of pursuing acting opportunities in Los Angeles, the ‘Yellowstone’ star decided she no longer wanted to put her happiness on hold while waiting for the next job. Instead, she walked away from the city, moved to rural Arkansas and began building the countryside life she had always imagined, complete with horses and an animal sanctuary.In an interview with Fox News Digital, Olivieri, 45, spoke about her decision while promoting the second season of Angel Studios’ ‘Homestead: The Series’. She recalled how a prolonged dry spell in her acting career made her question whether the Hollywood dream was delivering what she had expected.“I realized it wasn’t giving me what my dream of what it was supposed to give me,” she said.The actress explained that acting offers were no longer coming her way, forcing her to reconsider how much of her life she was spending waiting for opportunities. “I didn’t have offers, just like falling out of my phone. I went through a dry spell, and I was like, ‘Wow, so this is an illusion,’” she recalled.
Dawn Olivieri realised she could not keep waiting for Hollywood to make her happy
The ‘Yellowstone’ actress founded Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue to rehabilitate horses and other animals. (Photo: Instagram)
Olivieri said the experience made her recognise that she had given too much control over her happiness to an industry that could not guarantee her work.She recalled reaching a point when she questioned why she was waiting by the phone and allowing other people to determine her professional and personal direction. The actress then decided to imagine what she would do if she had already achieved the success and money she had been chasing.Her answer was to move to the countryside, own horses and create a life away from the pressures of Hollywood.“I just jumped ahead. I go, ‘If I did make all this money and was successful, what would I do with it?’ Well, I would move to the country and have horses and OK, well, I guess let me go do that,” she said.Olivieri admitted that she made the move without having the financial resources she had once associated with her dream. However, she believes taking that leap was necessary to find her own identity and live more authentically.
The ‘Yellowstone’ actor now runs an animal sanctuary in Arkansas
The actress is currently living in a camper on her Arkansas property while expanding her animal sanctuary. (Photo: Instagram)
In 2022, Olivieri left Los Angeles and bought a 160-acre property outside Mena, Arkansas. The following year, she established Moon Mountain Sanctuary and Rescue, a nonprofit organisation that rescues and rehabilitates horses and other animals.The actress continues to develop the property and expand the sanctuary. During an appearance on the ‘Let’s Talk Local’ podcast in August, she revealed that she was living in a camper on the land while working towards her long-term plans.For Olivieri, the move was not simply about changing locations. It also changed her relationship with herself and her acting career. She said she became a better person and performer after she stopped measuring her life by the opportunities coming her way.“I started working way more than I did when I was in LA waiting for the job, waiting for the call,” she said.Describing her new surroundings as a “land of no mirrors”, Olivieri said she began focusing on her inner self rather than worrying about her appearance or how others perceived her.
Charles Esten says actors can attract opportunities by letting go of desperation
Olivieri’s co-star Charles Esten, who joined her for the interview, agreed that constantly chasing work can sometimes create the opposite effect. He observed that the entertainment industry can sense when someone is desperate to land a particular role.Esten said that letting go of the pressure to secure the next opportunity and adopting a more abundant outlook can make a difference. He clarified that this does not mean abandoning one’s ambitions, but rather giving up the anxiety and desperation attached to them.Olivieri agreed with his observation, saying that was precisely what had happened in her own life.She also acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes had contributed to a decline in work opportunities for many actors. However, she said she had reached a point where she was prepared to give up acting altogether rather than compromise her freedom.“And maybe if I had to sell farm fresh eggs on the side of the road, I would do that just to keep my freedom,” she said.
Dawn Olivieri on why more people are considering life outside cities
Dawn Olivieri says leaving Hollywood’s constant pursuit of acting offers helped her become a better actor and find personal freedom. (Photo: Instagram)
The conversation also touched on the growing interest in homesteading, growing one’s own food and moving away from densely populated cities. Olivieri believes concerns about food production and the pressures of urban living are making people reconsider their lifestyles.She argued that commercial interests and the pursuit of profit have contributed to problems in both areas. Esten, meanwhile, highlighted how Olivieri’s real-life approach to homesteading differs from the survivalist world depicted in ‘Homestead: The Series’.While the fictional community in the show is driven by fear, security concerns and dwindling resources, Olivieri’s sanctuary is built around rescuing animals and welcoming others.
From ‘1883’ and ‘Yellowstone’ to Taylor Sheridan ‘s ‘The Madison’
Despite stepping away from Los Angeles and giving up the constant pursuit of acting jobs, Olivieri’s career continued to grow. She went on to become part of Taylor Sheridan’s television universe, playing Claire Dutton, the widowed sister of James Dutton (Tim McGraw), in ‘1883’.She later portrayed Sarah Atwood, the corporate strategist who becomes involved with Jamie Dutton (Wes Bentley), in ‘Yellowstone’ between 2022 and 2024. She also has a recurring role as CIA officer Amber Whalen in ‘Lioness’ and recently appeared as a guest actor in ‘The Madison’.During the interview, Olivieri spoke about what she admires most about Sheridan’s writing, particularly his ability to create layered and powerful female characters.“He doesn’t ask for permission to do anything. He listens to his North, his guide, and he writes textured, powerful human beings, especially women, which I find is very, very rare,” she said.She recalled asking Sheridan how he managed to understand strong women so well. According to Olivieri, he credited his mother, describing her as a powerful influence who gave him a close understanding of how strong women think, speak and behave.
What is ‘Homestead: The Series’ about?
‘Homestead: The Series’ is set in a post-apocalyptic world following a nuclear attack on Los Angeles. The story centres on survivors living inside a fortified compound in the Rocky Mountains, known as The Homestead, which was established by wealthy prepper Ian Ross, played by Neal McDonough.Olivieri plays Ian’s wife, Jenna Ross, while Esten portrays his estranged brother, Cain Ross. After Ian is incapacitated and later dies, Jenna is forced to take on a leadership role. She wants to protect the community without losing her compassion for outsiders, while Cain takes a more hardline approach to survival.The second season, which premiered on November 3, follows the growing conflict between Jenna and Cain as the compound’s resources dwindle. The cast also includes Kevin Lawson, Emmanuel McCord, Jesse Hutch and Betzaida Landín.The second season of ‘Homestead: The Series’ is currently streaming on Angel, with new episodes arriving every Tuesday.
