Danielle Vasinova On Her Roots As a Cowgirl and the Yellowstone Universe

USA Today

20 hours ago

Wide-open plains, majestic stallions, weathered leather boots, and soft suede hats—these timeless symbols capture the essence of a cowgirl spirit. For acclaimed actress and fashion designer Danielle Vasinova, that spirit has always been a part of her.
Born and raised in rural America, the Native American and Czech actress has been allured by the classic Western lifestyle since childhood. With recurring roles in Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe and a highly anticipated vintage Western Americana-inspired fashion line set for release later this year, it's easy to see that her upbringing still impacts her career today.
'Born This Way'
Vasinova's father bought her her first pony when she was just three. Since then, her bond with the West and horses has developed into something that transcends a typical human-animal relationship. Vasinova is empathetically connected to these animals and views riding them not only as a privilege but also as an expression of her culture and an extension of herself.
With her roles in multiple Taylor Sheridan shows, it's almost like her childhood experiences were setting her up for her current success. 'This was such a full circle moment for me,' Vasinova said. 'I've been a cowgirl since the day I was born; practically came out of the womb on a saddle. Now I'm back home in the Western world.'
Vasinova's Role in The Yellowstone Universe
Danielle Vasinova's prominence as a cowgirl has reached new heights in recent years. Previously, she appeared in Sheridan's 1923 as the fierce, independent Ata Waipa, adding complexity to the already riveting Yellowstone universe. She's also set to appear in Sheridan's new series The Madison as the Indigenous character Kestrel Harris, whose storyline is greatly anticipated.
'I got an audition for 1923, so I put that on tape, and then a week or two later, I got another audition for The Madison,' Vasinova said. 'I was like, 'Is this even possible?' Two roles, back to back in the Taylor Sheridan universe.' It was a dream come true.
Although much is still unknown about Kestrel Harris's backstory in The Madison, set to premiere in late 2025 or early 2026, Vasinova assures viewers the character will capture their attention with a compelling storyline.
'To me, she [Harris] represents Mother Earth. There are a lot of different facets to her. She's grounded, caring, loving, wild, and free,' Vasinova said.
'A Modern-Day Superhero'
As a present-day cowgirl, Danielle Vasinova believes that women are a force of nature: fierce, intelligent, decisive, and superheroes in their own right—and Vasinova always strives to bring that vision to the screen.
'Getting the opportunity to portray a superhero has always been one of my goals,' Vasinova has said. 'I come from a Comic-Con background, and those fans are the best, the absolute most die-hard loyal fans in the world!'
If all her recent successes are a sign of things to come, that role might just be on the horizon.
About Danielle Vasinova
Daniel Vasinova is an Emmy Award-nominated actress known for her work in Taylor Sheridan's 1923, as well as several action-adventure films, TV series roles, and as Belle in Belle's War. She will star in the Yellowstone spinoff The Maidson, which is set to premiere later this year. She has been featured in several publications like Cowgirl Magazine, Town and Country Magazine, Variety, Life & Style Magazine, and more.