Rising Stars: Meet Gayathri of West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gayathri.

Hi Gayathri, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am from Singapore originally. I grew up loving the arts and dipping my toes in every art form I could, whether it be singing, dancing, acting, writing, drawing, etc.

Growing up, I always had this strong fascination towards movies and the escapism it provided. I loved how it could keep me engaged and take me into worlds outside of reality. And even though as a child, I never really understood what acting was, all I did know is that some day I would want to be a part of this magic.

And so, starting with highschool I did everything I could to get even the smallest parts in theatre productions I could. I started out as the Evil Witch in Snow White, and worked my way up to Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Medusa in Dante’s Inferno. Following that, I started looking for opportunities in my college, which was easy to find as we had a club dedicated to making films and experimenting with the medium. And so I started acting in the films being made in that tiny club in college.

This truly opened me up to the world of acting and filmmaking. I started auditioning for projects outside of my comfort zone/people, and thankfully enough I started booking several short films and student projects in Singapore to grow my skills and expertise. I learned so much with every set I had the opportunity to be on, while actively watching movies and observing the greats of the industry.

I know I worked extra hard no matter what set I was on or what role I was given, and that definitely pushed me towards greater opportunities. It was a blessing to be able to play a Guest Star role in a nationally acclaimed television series ‘Sunny Side Up’ and even get to work with a famed Singaporean director Kelvin Sng, on a 5-part web series ‘Not Fair’ which was well received on online platforms.

Alongside my acting, I also pursued my studies, gaining a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies (with concentration in Mass Communication) from Oklahoma City University, and a Master’s in Creative Writing from Goldsmiths’ College (University of London) – both of which helped me understand acting and filmmaking from behind the camera. This propelled me to also start delving into the world of filmmaking as a medium of storytelling, and within the last year I made several short films and series that won screenings and awards at film festivals across the globe.

To further accelerate my acting abilities and hone my craft, while also making way for a potentially successful career in Hollywood, I decided to make the move last year to LA all by myself. I enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, completing a 2-year conservatory programme, which helped me break out of my shell and truly understand the art of acting and learn ways I could harness my talents. Meeting likeminded creators here also helped me push myself as an artist, and I even ended up writing, directing and acting in my very first Hollywood Fringe 2026 show, ‘Case Closed??’

And now that I’m on my way to acquire a talent visa to cement my life here and make it big one day, I have been very active in the scene, getting my hands on every acting opportunity I can, whether it’s a friend’s film, or a random student project, or a vertical series, or an indie feature. I have been blessed to stay booked and busy these past few months, and I actively make sure that I am working, by also making my own films to get my craft out there more. My hardwork definitely seems to be paying off as I recently also managed to get representation, which I know will further propel my life and help me inch closer and closer to my dreams.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has been a struggle to get to where I am thus far. I have had several people reject me, say ‘no’ countless times, discourage me, and even outright mock my ambition of wanting to become an actor/filmmaker.

But I feel that these negativities are what motivated me every step of the way, helping me push past the obstacles and challenges and truly prove myself to everyone what I’m capable of.

This stubborn nature of mine definitely has come in handy, especially in this industry, where having a tough skin is a necessity to survive, and I feel every naysayer in my life has prepped me for that, and I’m thankful for it all.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Where I am right now in life, I like to call myself an artist. I like to express myself and tell stories no matter what medium I use. I am grateful that I have been blessed with several skills and talents that make me capable of expressing myself in various ways.

I am primarily an actor, having wanted this since I was 3. Growing up watching movies only fueled this in me further, as I would stare at the television in awe with every emotion being portrayed tugging at my heart strings. And I knew that this impact is exactly what I wanted to impart to my future audiences too. Make them feel things – happiness, anger, sadness, frustration, fear, etc.

Having been acting since 2017 (not including my highschool theatre years), I recognized the art of filmmaking as an effective medium as well when it comes to storytelling, and so I delved into that a bit as well, earning myself the title of filmmaker. The few works I have created so far have been screened at several festivals, and even won awards and recognition as some, which is exciting and encouraging. As of now, I can say I am a writer, director, cinematographer, and a really bad editor. I have even done a Hollywood Fringe original play, so that’s definitely a fancy feather in my growing cap of accolades.

Apart from this, I am also a singer, having trained in Indian classical music since I was a wee child. I have sang across Singapore, in every stage/platform possible, giving me an insight into the world of music. I listened to every artist, every style, every genre, and still do, which helps me appreciate music as a whole and understand that music is a medium that can be understood by all regardless of language or style barriers.

I am also a dancer, having trained for a couple of years in Indian traditional dance (bharatnatyam), and like to try my hand at several styles of dance as a form of expression. During my time at Lee Strasberg here in LA, I was fortunate enough to be able to try my hand at musical theatre, jazz, salsa, hip hop, etc.

In my spare time, I also love to draw and paint, albeit horrible at times!

What makes you happy?
Art makes me happy, as cliche as that sounds. Ever since I was a child, art was always a part of me in some way, shape or form. Whether it be the movies, music, dance, drawing, writing, etc., I would always be surrounded by it, almost as if it were a supportive crutch during my rough days.

Apart from the obvious answer, I would say my friends, family and loved ones are a great source of happiness for me. Spending time with my loved ones, as the big homebody I am, is truly rejuvenating and refreshing for me, and helps me stay humble and appreciative of everything and everyone I am blessed to have in my life.

And a silly answer to this question would be: food. I am a huge foodie and love to try different foods, cuisines, etc., whenever I can. So much that I love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen from time to time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gayathrikrishnakumar.univer.se/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gayathriiii/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gayathriiii
• Other: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/gayathri_krishnakumar