Meet ilana Kohanchi | Actress

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

Hi ilana, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
I love thinking outside the box. I live outside the box, and when I see a locked door, I start thinking about windows. When someone says “no,” I hear “maybe” or “not yet.” So I may be an outlier with this question. But I just disagree with the conventional advice, especially in my industry, of “follow the rules.” Like this idea that you have to always stay within the “process” and wait for your agent to call you with an audition and eventually book one and slowly make a name for yourself. That is fine, but there are hundreds of other things that all make up the “hustle” that I think artists and creatives of all types should be doing on a daily basis to increase the likelihood of their opportunities. For every rule, there is an exception. I don’t think it hurts to try to be that exception.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
What sets me apart from others? All actors are unique, because acting is really no different than living and each human being is uniquely himself or herself. I am fluent in 6 languages and that has given me a little advantage for certain roles and opportunities that I would not have had otherwise.

What am I most proud of or excited about? I am very proud of the many amazing tv shows I have been lucky enough to work on (‘WandaVision’ ‘Chicago PD’ ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ ‘Veep’ ‘The Newsroom’ etc..) I am also proud of the independent productions I have worked on: films like “Nowhere Girl” and “Tijuana” and tv shows like “Kat Loves LA.”

How did I get to where I am today professionally? Hard work, dedication, a little luck, and a very unreasonable pushy attitude :)>

Was it easy? No, it never is, but it’s always worth it.

How did I overcome the challenges? I was always (and still am) extremely certain that this is what I want. I am of the belief that passion and a sort of driving force idea can easily get you over any hump when it comes to professional challenges. Just constant laser focus of working towards a goal.

What lessons did I learn along the way? Trust your instinct. Surround yourself with people who believe in you.

What do I want the world to know about my story? That I really put my heart in it everytime I step in front of a camera; I give my characters everything I’ve got, and when it comes to my goals in this industry, I never give up.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have a background in latin ballroom and salsa dancing, so I would take a friend to “La Descarga” in Hollywood. It is a great little salsa club, with performances and amazing music. It is tiny and crowded, but you get to walk through a little closet like wardrobe into what feels like Havana. It has a speakeasy vibe and tends to attract great dancers! Then I would take them to the Griffith Park Observatory, for a nice hike and great views.
Then to dinner at “Catch LA” in West Hollywood for amazing food and a great place to dress-up type ambiance. Oh or “Sushi Nishi-ya” in Glendale for a more quiet night but amazing omakase.
I wouldn’t forget to stop by “The Village Bakery” in Atwater Village for some amazing cookies and pastries. and then maybe “The Juice” nearby for a smoothie that will knock your socks off.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When it comes to the acting industry, I think Jo Kelly is the best there is. Amongst hundreds of coaches who sell gimmicks and quick recipes, she is the real deal. She has been my acting coach for many years, but she has also been a mentor to me. I have the utmost respect for her ideology about the craft, how she seeks freedom and truth in everything she does, and her endless dedication to helping her clients find it. She doesn’t see the envelope of a person; she memorizes their instrument and holds up a mirror to help them find their instinct themselves, and then she insists without fail that they listen to it. Truly she has brought out the best actress in me time and time again, without ever “teaching” me how to do something, or even suggesting that she would know better.

Website: www.ilanakohanchi.com

Instagram: @ilana_kohanchi

Facebook: ilana kohanchi, actress

Image Credits
Dana Patrick, Michael Viyera