Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandni Shah.
Hi Chandni, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My journey began in the scorching 117-degree heat of Phoenix, Arizona. I didn’t have much background in performing arts, and my family was far removed from it. Funny enough, on the way home from school when I was 13, I heard one of those radio shows that asked, ‘Hey you! Do you want to be on a TV show with Selena Gomez or Justin Bieber?’ I was thinking… hell yeah, I do! So, I begged my mom to take me to their casting call. We ended up watching a bunch of hocus-pocus for an hour before then waiting in a mile-long line for maybe another 5 hours to be told I look much more ‘exotic’ than everyone in the room. The woman who spoke to me said I had true potential and all I needed to do to fulfill my dreams was spend 10 grand on her acting classes so she could introduce me to superstars in LA. So… that was a flop. Most of my family made it clear I shouldn’t continue with this passion, and so I didn’t. For 3 years at least.
Once I had a car, I had freedom. I ended up finding my way into an acting class and fell in love with it. I didn’t have much confidence growing up, and I feel that once I took this class, stepping into other characters’ shoes, judgment-free, I was able to become a free bird. A free being that HAD to wipe away what other people thought in order to be my real, authentic, evolving self. This repetition of endowing myself with every and any story gave me purpose and made me care about what I had to offer. I continued taking class post-high school into college at Chapman University, and during my senior year, traveled back and forth to LA at every waking moment to pursue my career.
Now, I’m working as a full-time actress, post-grad, in Los Angeles… it’s the dream!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely… not! Most of us in this field know the hard work it takes to just book even that first low-budget, non-union, underpaid job. Yet once we’re there, it’s all worth it. To start, my family raised me rather traditionally, and acting was not a hot topic at the dinner table. I needed to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer — I mentioned psychologist when I was younger, and even that…ehhh… was pushing it. I decided to appease my parents and go to university, thus graduating with a triple major in Psychology, Spanish, and Screen Acting. Do I regret that decision? No. Does anyone care if I have any type of degree in my line of work? Definitely no! But those years were part of my journey and were destined to happen.
Then there was the finances. Making a living on acting alone is like trying to hit the jackpot while riding a unicycle on a tightrope over a pit of hungry lions – exhilarating, sure, but also a tad nerve-wracking. Throw in the cost of living in LA, student debt, a global pandemic, and the occasional strike, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for financial acrobatics. This field is a constant investment with extremely volatile rewards. During the strike, I took the time to focus on my finances and went full-fledged into my side job. I became a part private chef, part personal assistant, and part postpartum nurse full time with hours of 6 am-2 am, 7 days a week. I did that long enough where I could rack in the cash and completely quit everything once the strike ended. And while my journey may not have always been smooth sailing, I wouldn’t trade it for anything – not even a stable, 9-to-5 job with a 401(k) and dental plan. After all, where’s the fun in that?
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an On-Screen and VoiceOver actress! I’ve been exploring the realm of surrealism, embracing avant-garde storytelling to bring unique and thought-provoking characters to life. I’m most proud of my role as Nadira in Warner Bros x DC’s “The Riddler,” as well as being a part of the Barbie (2023) movie. Because who says you can’t go from Gotham’s underworld to Malibu dreamhouse in the blink of an eye? Furthermore, I am taking this industry by the horns. I refuse to let anything – not my race, skin color, gender, or even my height – define the roles I can play. Recently, I’ve been expanding my horizons by venturing into action movies, where my combat skills have added an exciting dimension to my performances. And don’t let my size fool you; I’ve got a roundhouse kick that’ll knock you out faster than you can say “stunt double.” I’m hoping to continue to immerse myself in diverse roles that challenge and inspire me creatively.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking has a become a loose term for me because I find that I gain most success from a relationship when it’s authentic and simply created from two souls who share a passion. Often, when people are on “the hunt to network” (and in LA, it’s quite common), it can become disingenuous. With that said, a great deal of this industry is based off who you know. My advice with starting meaningful relationships has been watch stuff! Watch movies and TV shows as they come out, read screenplays you can find online, watch interviews of directors you connect with, look at their IMDb, and watch all of their movies. I find that it’s easier to find and connect with people here when there is common ground about your passion rather than immediately talking about furthering yourself in the business.
On the other hand, it’s okay to ask for help here as well. I found one of my closest mentors from an audition when I first moved out to LA. We were going out for the same part. I had completely spaced and not seen the updated sides for the audition, and she offered me her notecards to look off of (which right off the bat, was incredibly kind and generous). I happened to see her again when I was leaving the building. We talked for a bit. I asked her how long it took for her to adjust to LA because I was feeling overwhelmed. Next thing you know, we’re bonding over shared existential crises, and the rest, as they say, is history.
It’s okay to reach out and ask for help. Sure, not everyone has the time to respond, but hey, you never know when you’ll stumble upon your next friendship or accidental mentorship. And trust me, in this crazy industry, a little kindness goes a long way.
Contact Info:
- Website: thechandnishah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chandnishahh
