Shanti Ashanti was named after her family’s shelter for homeless and abused youth in Israel, where has helped troubled youths to make their dreams a reality and this experience motivates and inspires her work in every field. Trained in Ballet and Modern dance from a young age, Shanti found her passion in performing and entertaining. As a teen, she was accepted into Israel’s well-known High School for the Arts, Ironi Alef where she specialized in dancing and acting, having performed on the stage of the most reputable Israeli cultural center, Suzzane Dellal. Shanti obtained her B.A. in dance and theater in Tel-Aviv studying at the prestigious Seminar-Hakibbutzim College, during which she appeared in numerous theatrical productions throughout Israel.
In 2009, Shanti moved to New York City to pursue her acting career and continued her journey in Los Angeles in 2014. Now living between Israel, New York, and Los Angeles, she maintains an international career. She starred in “Where Do You Live?”, an Israeli comic drama and the three-time NAACP Image Awards nominated TV film “Gun Hill,” in which she had a lead role opposite Larenz Tate, which is available on Netflix. It was also screened at the 2013 BET Awards in Los Angeles and the 2013 Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City. Recently, Shanti was featured in the major motion picture “Jarhead 4: Law of Return”, a Universal production, which is also available on Netflix.
With the aid of renowned producers Moran David and Ido Brian Rivlin, she has crafted her own sound that mixes Pop and Soul. Shanti has released her debut single “FALL IN LOVE” and the follow-up “ANIMAL”, both of which have reached popular radio stations in Israel. She speaks to Formidable Woman about her new Apple TV series, “WeClashed.” Shanti is represented by Key Talent Management.
FWM: What do you look for in a role?
Every role serves a story so I look for a good story to discover new experiences that I can explore. I like to challenge myself.
FWM: Tell us about what led you to your recent project, “WeClashed.”
The story appealed to me and I really wanted to be a part of it. It was also amazing to work with people that I look up to such as the directors, Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, or Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway.
FWM: What drew you to the role of Adi Neumann?
Adi is a Model that knows how to deal with the high pace of New York City and an incredible sister to Adam Neumann. I love how confident she is, and comfortable in her skin. Therefore, it is hard not to enjoy playing her.
FWM: How does this character stretch your acting abilities?
I’m very neurotic and Adi tends to be really cool and careless. Through her character, I was able to rediscover this carelessness and that was very freeing in many ways. The writing for the show was amazing, but occasionally we did need to improvise. Improvising on set was refreshing because I surrounded by amazing cast.
FWM: Tell us a fun fact about the show.
It’s an extremely fun show. It takes reality to the edge. A good moment during the shoot, was shooting the camp scenes. There were 400 people on set, so it did feel like summer camp.
FWM: You are also a singer, tell us about your first single “FALL IN LOVE” and the following “ANIMAL.”
As an artist, I love showing different parts of myself. As a child, I was terrified of singing but few years ago, I was able to overcome that fear. I took singing lessons which led me to writing and composing. I love being able to unwrap those layers and put those parts of myself into a song.
Fall in love was my expression of my struggle to fall in love and choose men that I know that I won’t be happy with. I fall victim to my choices. You get with someone you know that will hurt you, but that’s your choice.
Animal was my expression of my view of society today that could be focusing more on humanity to remember where we are coming from.
FWM: Please share your upcoming projects.
I’m constantly writing and creating so that’s always a constant. However, I do have a few things I can’t speak on yet, so you’ll just have to wait and see!
