Meet Maho Tachibana | Actress and performer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Maho Tachibana and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi MAHO, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I am an actor. My ultimate goal is to empower people worldwide through my acting.
Actors have the power to turn darkness into light. When I live a character’s life, I use my own pain and trauma to overcome it, giving hope to the audience. Through acting, I aim to bring empowerment to the world.
One milestone along this path is to win an Oscar. I want to prove that people can achieve the goals they set for themselves. Through my Oscar acceptance speech, I hope to inspire and empower others!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since elementary school, I have learned Japanese traditional dance and always enjoyed expressing myself in front of people. I also loved watching movies, and I dreamed of one day being on screen myself. Pursuing this passion, I moved to Tokyo to become an actor, but the journey wasn’t easy. At first, I took part in dramas and films as a background extra, while attending acting lessons and numerous auditions.
In Japan, structured training institutions for actors aren’t as well developed, and there were many meaningless workshops where directors or producers offered paid sessions, casting actors who matched their specific preferences. Getting yelled at was a daily occurrence, and I nearly reached a breaking point. That’s when I decided to study with international acting coaches. Many classes were costly because they required interpreters, but they helped me improve my craft.
Through my experiences in various productions, including dramas, movies, commercials, and magazine shoots, my ambition to make it in Hollywood grew stronger. Three years ago, I began working with a trusted accent coach and challenging myself with English-language acting. Initially, it was tough just to memorize lines in English, but now I embody the character’s emotional journey through the dialogue.
In 2022, I participated in an English acting workshop with Hollywood coach Ivana Chubbuck, and I’ll never forget her feedback: “really, really, really nice work.”
In November last year, I appeared in a wine commercial in Vancouver. This year, my photos were published in the French fashion magazine Moevir Magazine, and last month, I performed Japanese traditional dance at a memorial event in Korea for the Itaewon Halloween tragedy. This month, a short film I acted in had its premiere screening in Los Angeles.
When I started acting, I was repeatedly told in Japan, a relatively small industry, “You have no talent. You should quit.” But I didn’t believe them. I believed in myself and kept moving forward with a firm resolve.
Now, I am realizing my dream of performing not only in Hollywood but worldwide.
Though my journey as an actor is still ongoing, I’m excited about the incredible places I’ll go and the thrilling opportunities that lie ahead.
I firmly believe that any goal you set your heart on can be achieved. That is my core belief.
As an actor, my mission is to share this truth, empower others, and inspire the world.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I recommend Santa Monica Beach. Taking the bus to the beach is a great option, as it lets you enjoy the views of Los Angeles along the way.
In the evening, Griffith Observatory is a fantastic spot, offering a breathtaking view of the city—often called the “million-dollar view.”
For a meal, I suggest In-N-Out. It’s affordable and delicious, with crispy buns that add a satisfying crunch.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to share this with my fans.
To all my fans, I’ve been able to connect with you through live streaming and your comments, which mean so much to me. You have supported me through good times and challenging moments, ever since I was working in Japan.
Now, you continue to cheer me on from Japan as I pursue my career here in Hollywood. Thank you for always being there for me.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tachibana.maho/
Twitter: https://x.com/tachibana_maho
Image Credits
Featured in Moevir Magazine
From the starring movie The Last Moment
From the starring movie Null
Photoshoot as a model
My performance at the Itaewon World Music Spirit
Scenes of the press at the Itaewon World Music Spirit
Performing live in Los Angeles with a display of my previous works on the back screen.
From the starring Yakuza film Museifu Kazoku
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