Meet Nadi Filsoof

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

Hi Nadi, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Choosing to pursue a career in entertainment was the first major risk I ever took, you don’t get guarantees in this business. I graduated law school with an offer to work at a firm, but I turned it down for an opportunity to work in the UTA mailroom, competing with thousands of applicants for a handful of desks. The attrition rate is so competitively high but that didn’t deter me from embarking on this career path.

Risk has been the constant throughline of my life: taking the stairs when others choose the escalator. Literally. When I was five, my father told me I couldn’t climb the flight of 400+ steps at Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park. I did it anyway, and every time I visit the theme park since then, I still take the stairs, in honor of that moment. Moments like that shaped a philosophy I still live by today: people will always tell you what you can’t do, prove to them what you can do.

Every decision in my career has required a leap of faith. Studying for the bar exam while working full-time at UTA, to pivoting across roles and industries, to pushing for outcomes in client work that others would have accepted as impossible. We’re in the business of rejection. But all it takes is one yes. Knowing that, I don’t accept “no” as the final answer. It’s just the beginning of a different path forward.

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.
I’ve never taken “no” as an answer, not for myself, not for my career, and not for my clients. Early on, I was told I’d never become an agent. But persistence has always outweighed rejection. I believe we are all the masters of our own trajectory: you can let others define your limits or you can define your own path.

Professionally, my journey has been anything but linear. From my time as a Talent Agent at ICM Partners, representing both traditional actors and nascent digital creators, to leading corporate business development and partnerships at Fathom Events or leading brand initiatives at Mattel, I’ve always sought opportunities to bridge gaps, create experiences, and push boundaries.

Today, as a Partner and talent manager at Underscore Talent, I’m most excited about being on the ground with clients, pushing the possibilities of creator management, and shaping the future of the industry. I pride myself on being a disruptor. Nothing about my journey has been easy, and I’m proud of that, because it means I earned every step of it. I want to be known for showing up for myself and for my clients everyday, even when faced hardships along the way. I accepted help and surrounded myself with good mentors and a network of people who don’t just tolerate my success but champion it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Morning starts with power breakfast at Nate ’n Al’s, where deals are made over coffee and bagels.
Lunch would be at Soho House (Garden Room), ideal for conversation, people-watching, and soaking in what makes LA such a creative hub.
For dinner, we’re heading to K-Town – there’s no better spot for good dinner, late-night energy, culture, and where the industry really unwinds.

Activities for the week:
Clippers game for courtside energy.

Concert at The Forum: best place to catch a live gig.

Disneyland & Universal Studios: not just for fun, but to observe how Hollywood operates at its core.

Drive up the coast to Malibu, grab a drink at Soho Malibu and take in the view.

Catch a movie at The Grove followed by dinner at the Farmers Market, classic LA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first shoutout goes to my mother. What I chose to pursue wasn’t traditional in our culture, and she didn’t fully understand the industry. But she trusted my work ethic, my fearlessness, and believed I would break boundaries to reach something bigger. Her support allowed me to leap when reason said stay still.

I am also deeply grateful to Reza Izad and Dan Weinstein, the CEOs of Underscore Talent. They’ve acted as mentors and leaders, offering unbiased guidance, constructive criticism, and unwavering belief in a constantly evolving industry. Their continued trust has allowed me to show up fully as myself and do what I do best.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the late John Rubey, who changed the trajectory of my career with one conversation. He was the first person to champion me for who I was, not despite my hustle, but because of it. He once said, “I’d be foolish to let you walk out that door and go work for someone else.” He didn’t just support me, he empowered me to be great. I carry that lesson with me every day.

Website: https://www.underscoretalent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nfilsoof1/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadifilsoof/

Image Credits
Nadi Filsoof