Anna Sundstrand

Early life

Sundstrand was born on 22 February 1989 in Stockholm, Sweden. She began dancing when she was four years old and attended Sway Dance School in Stockholm as well as her bandmate Anaïs Lameche. She is a relative of the Swedish actress Greta Garbo.

Music career: Play (2001–2005)

In 2001 Play's first single "Us Against the World" was featured on the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen film Holiday In The Sun and Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire. "Us Against the World" was followed by "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" a cover of a Diana Ross song. The song featured Chris Trousdale from Dream Street and received high rotation on Radio Disney.

Their self-titled album dropped in 2002. Play included both singles plus 5 additional songs.

In 2003, Replay was released with 2 big hits "Whole Again" and "I Must Not Chase the Boys". It also featured another Diana Ross cover "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" also after Replay's release Faye Hamlin quit the group to pursue her education and modeling and was replaced with Janet Leon.

In 2004, Don't Stop the Music was released with the single being "everGirl" for Nickelodeon's new show that was never aired. There was also a duet with Aaron Carter, "Every Little Step". They also redid "Ain't No Mountain High" with Janet Leon.

In late 2004, the Christmas album Play Around the Christmas Tree was released. It has 10 of their favorite Christmas songs. It also was their last recorded album.

Sundstrand was asked to join Play by the group's manager, Laila Bagge, who discovered Sundstrand at her dancing school after seeing her performing at the school. Bagge asked her to be the first member of Play.

In Play, Sundstrand sang alto harmonies and solos. After the band's first split, Sundstrand moved to NYC after being signed to New York-based modeling agency Model Management Group (MMG).

Play reunion (2009–2011)

In 2009, Play announced their reunion with original members Anaïs Lameche and Fanny 'Faye' Hamlin. However Sundstrand was not asked to join the reunion. She stated in an official statement that she received a call from Hamlin who told her about the reunion but said they didn't want her back.

Solo career (2005–present)

Since Play ended in 2005 Sundstrand was signed to Model Management Group (MMG) based in New York (the same agency her bandmate Rosanna Munter was signed). Sundstrand did some modeling for a while and even did some benefit fashion shows. However, in 2005 and 2006 Sundstrand performed around New York City with friend singer Chris Trousdale (who she previously worked with in Play).

Between 2005 and 2006, Sundstrand was back in the studio where she went to work recording her debut solo album. She recorded two solo songs, "Say It Again" and "Press Rewind" which she debuted during concerts with Trousdale. In 2006 the duo recorded a duet titled "If Only" which they recorded in Sweden. The music video for the song was released via their choreographer Claudia Swan's YouTube account a few years after they filmed it.

In 2008, Sundstrand moved from New York to Los Angeles, California where she starred in two indie films. Gone Astray, which was filmed in 2008. It is a horror, thriller, religion film about a group of teens who go on a trip to find their inner faith and end up getting terrorized. Sundstrand starrs as Tara Nigel along with her friend and bandmate Chris Trousdale and Kaila Amariah (The Biggest Fan). In 2009, Sundstrand along with Kaila and 7th Heaven actress Catherine Hicks starred the drama Split Second, which is about a girl who is trying to find out how a car accident that claimed her father's life really happened. Sundstrand stars as a police officer named Cathy. Both films were directed by Kaila's father Michael Criscione. The films were scheduled for release sometime in 2010 but were put on hold.

In 2010, after moving back to New York, Sundstrand signed with DampCellar Music and released her debut solo single "Brand New Me" on iTunes. And, in February 2012 it was announced that Sundstrand was being represented by New York-based ColbyModels in which Sundstrand has worked closely with for many years.

Currently, Sundstrand has moved back to Sweden where she is continuing with her solo music and writing a non-fiction book based on her life and her struggles as a child in the entertainment industry.

Personal life

Sundstrand has one older brother. Sundstrand has announced that she is lactose-intolerant.

Filmography

2009 - Split Second - Officer Cathy

TBD - Gone Astray - Tara Nigel

Discography

2006 - "Say It Again"

2006 - "Press Rewind"

2006 - "If Only" (w/ Chris Trousdale)

2010 - "Brand New Me"