Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Akerman's father's career brought her family to Toronto, Canada, when she was two years old. An adorable child, she began modeling and doing television commercials at age five. At 17, Akerman was the winner of the "Ford Supermodel of Canada" search, and international interest led her to spend her summers in Europe modeling until she finished high school. She pursued a successful modeling career for several years but eventually decided to stay in Toronto and focus on acting. She had landed her first major role in 1997 with a guest stint on the syndicated series "Earth: Final Conflict," and subsequently appeared in other Canadian-shot TV projects, including "Relic Hunter,""Twice In a Lifetime,""Doc" and "Witchblade," as well as landing a regular role in the 2001 action/sci pilot "Shotgun Love Dolls," opposite a pre-fame Rachel McAdams as Rock Candy, part of an all-girl crimefighting team. Akerman also earned small roles in the Candanian-backed feature films "The Skulls" (2000), "The Circle" (2001) and, as a fictionalized version of herself in "Camp Hollywood," playing one of the many Canadian actors who flock to L.A.'s Highland Hotel to audition during pilot season.