Meet Shani Francillon | Producer, Actor, Voiceover Artist, Writer

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

Hi Shani, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
That you can have everything you want in life. It’s a recipe for not allowing people to pivot when they need too because they are fixated on the life they desire. Remembering that yes, you can work toward your goals in life but also be flexible with the outcome. Sometimes we are not even thinking as big as we think we are, that’s when God comes in. Allow God to show you the life your destined for, be open to various possibilities…

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a Producer, Poet, and Actor. My worlds collide in various way through my art. I’d say up to this day, I’m most proud of my One Woman Show, “Naked: An Open Letter To My Ex”. The show was about how I became the woman I am today through the trials, tribulations, and even the great moments or my long term relationship with my high school sweetheart. We were both young and growing into adulthood so you can imagine everything we dealt with while still loving each other. It was hard but the only way I could cope through the break up was writing about it. Then one day I decided to put a show on in Manhattan, NY. Each show was sold out in under 24 hours! It was the first time I put every single piece of me on a stage. I produced it, directed it, wrote it, and starred in the show all at the age of 23, and while I had no idea how to put on a show from scratch…I still made it happen seamlessly, so for that I am proud and also proud that I was able to be so vulnerable and fearless at that age.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First I’m picking my friend up from the airport, and taking them to Fixins Soul Kitchen in DTLA. I love that place! Then we’ll definitely go hiking at Griffith Park (I know basic). If it’s a Tuesday, we’re spending our evening at Da Poetry Lounge at Greenway Theatre, to soak up the amazing art of poetry. The next couple of days will be filled with Taco trucks, Manhattan Beach, the Silverlake Reservoir, Church at One: A Potter House, an event at Soho House, Black On The Block, Food on a rooftop, and an event hosted by my events company High Vibrations with an evening of dancing, poetry, mingling, and love!

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 dedicate my success to my parents, Marlene, and Pierre Francillon. As well as my older sisters, Magdala, and Cynthia Francillon. There are not enough words to describe how my family has poured into me. Since I left the womb, my family has encouraged and supported everything I’ve wanted to do in life. Whether it was my mom signing me up for Miss USA Pageants and helping me rehearse backstage, to my dad driving me all the way to Harlem from Brooklyn for acting and dance class, to my oldest sister Maggie driving me to auditions, to my middle sister Cynthia encouraging me on the days I want to give up. Every one of my family has reminded me that I can do anything, and for that I am forever grateful.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shani.ashley_/

Image Credits
Royal Binion