We had the good fortune of connecting with Ash Tsai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ash, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think people who pursue a career as an artist are like the “long-game” version of adrenaline junkies, short-term highs, life-altering lows, and are completely addicted to the magic. I am no different. But when you love something, it doesn’t feel like a risk, just sexy passion. For me, when I fall in love like that, my heart goes up to my brain, and morphs into this kind of goopey Frankenstein’d brain/heart, and at that point, nothing will stop me. This is how I feel about my acting career. To me, there is no better feeling than seeing a script with your character’s name in it. It feels like a new life is born.

Passion is really good at drowning out risk & fear, which can be either great or a very dangerous thing. For me, as long as I’ve still got a few dollars in my pillow case, I’m gonna keep pushin. But that’s why people say artists have to be delusional, we let passion decide, and just jump. And it’s SOO fun!

But the risk is there, it’s just being smothered by the goopey heart/brain. I try to worry less and do more. Not taking a risk is also… a risk. In that sense, risk becomes a byproduct of passion rather than a roadblock.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I grew up in Washington State, attended the University of Washington, and then pursued graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University, focusing on Entertainment Industry Management.

As a kid, I truly believed a television set was a big box of magic. I couldn’t fathom how one picture could go into the next and make me feel all gooey inside. It was my first love—always on, never argued, and would play George Lopez everyyyy night. I think I also loved it because it was a form of communication in my family. My parents even used it as a teaching tool. I’ll never forget watching The Lovely Bones with them. Aside from having a lifelong fear of underground barn-bunkers, it was a great lesson on why kids shouldn’t go off with strange men. And for me, it worked!
To me, movies teach.

A few months before I graduated from graduate school, I had the terrifying realization that I wanted to make the clichéd decision to pursue acting in Los Angeles, rather than getting a corporate job.

Like most actors starting out, I lived on self-submissions. Backstage, Casting Networks, Actors Access—you name it, I was on it every day (still am). I booked my first feature film through Backstage: a Christmas movie that later sold to Great American Family. Since then, I’ve filmed two more holiday movies with them. The Christmas current is strong—and honestly, filming one is some of the most fun you can have. The people on those sets have all been absolute gems. How can you have a bad time when it’s Christmas? Near impossible.

One day, I saw a movie casting for a mythical goddess who bewitches men on tropical vacations. I felt like I really resonated with the project, and I was lucky enough to get an audition. I wore one of those wrap-it-17-different-ways dresses and pranced around barefoot in a cold casting room while trying my best to charm the room. Luckily, it worked, and Namaka will be out 9/19 in select theaters.

The projects I have worked on since becoming an actress are some of the best moments of my life so far. Being on set makes me feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world. It’s like a combination of shed-free puppies and shaved ice. It’s my happy place.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place in LA is Venice. It’s very hippy and it makes me feel at home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Bungalow 5 is an incredible post-production house in Venice, CA. Huge shout-out to their founder, Josianne Cote! Thank you for your love, Jo!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actingash/

Other: Journey to Christmas: https://youtu.be/8tJHApZC-t4?si=d6ZH1S9hAzuo6NAV Tails of Christmas: https://youtu.be/ReJox8F4VC8?si=sBEYytfcygNb_yE_

Image Credits
Drummer photo: Johnny Deyoe – Deyoe Studios Red star photo: Bonnie Nichoalds Cover photo Journey to Christmas: Great American Family Ash+Eric: Great American Family Namaka Poster: Kat Reeder

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.