Meet our Presenters Sian Richards

Sian Richards

A few years ago, Sian Richards landed her dream job. For five months, she would be traveling through India and Southeast Asia as the host of a food and travel show, Pan Asia: Journeys in Asian Culture. Of course, it was a break that would delight almost any young performer. But for Sian, it had special resonance. Indeed, it was a perfect fit: Not only has Sian always sought out new cultural experiences, already having traveled through South America, Europe, Asia and Africa (and she will again, she promises, as soon as she's able), but she's an amateur chef with a particular fascination for Asian cuisine. The picture was truly complete when Sian, also a professional photographer, was hired to pull double duty as not only presenter but unit photographer for the production. The show, a gruelling five-and-a-half month travel marathon with shoots in new cities almost every day, was the marriage of all of Sian's talents and passions, and the final product shows it. Despite the demands of long shooting days in 40-degree heat, bookended by overnight flights and the shock of a new culture every few days, Sian's poise and enthusiasm for the work never wavered. She was truly in her element throughout. Sian has always craved opportunities to explore new cultures as a way to better understand the world. She's grateful to have been able to pursue this as a career. It began when she was 18, when she left her home in Victoria, B.C., for the cosmopolitanism of Montreal to attend Concordia University. Just a few weeks after she arrived, a modelling agent on the streets of Montreal spotted Sian. This launched not only her career but also her frequent flyer card. She modelled in London, Paris, Madrid and Lisbon throughout her years at Concordia, from which she has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Modelling went on hold for a couple of years while Sian returned to school, graduating with a Major in Art History and a Minor in Studio Arts, where she discovered her talent for photography. After moving to Toronto in 1996, she joined Sherrida Talent and began working with renowned Canadian photographer George Whiteside. This is when she began to truly develop her own eye. Since then, Sian has published work in The New York Times, The Toronto Star, The National Post, Filmmaker Magazine and This Magazine. She had her first solo show in Contact, the annual international photography festival, in 2001, which was followed by a show alongside her mentor George Whiteside, in Contact 2003. Sian has also participated in several group shows including a breast cancer fundraiser that highlighted female Canadian photographers. And yet, she remains busy in her performing career landing roles in many high-profile U.S. and Canadian television commercials and advertising campaigns, including those for companies such as Rogers AT&T, Sheraton Hotels, Nestle, Tide, Sears and C.I.B.C. Sian recently traveled to Jamaica and Barbados to host The Rum Trail, which is scheduled to appear on CTV. She has also had roles on writer/director Ken Finkleman's critically acclaimed series The Newsroom for CBC, and Leap Years, a series for U.S. cable channel Showtime. Between the travel, the photography and Sian's obvious ambition and drive, it might seem she would never have a moment for her personal life. But it's simply not true. Sian is very close to her parents who live in Victoria, B.C., where she grew up, and it remains a place that is deeply rooted in her sense of self. Her sister Megan, two years her senior, lives in Toronto and is Sian's best friend. Being so grounded with such devoted, reliable support, Sian says, is what allows her to venture forth into the world with such confidence, poise and calm. And it will serve her well as her career continues to grow.