IN CONVERSATION WITH
ALI FUMIKO WHITNEY
Actress Ali Fumiko Whitney will be starring in Netflix’s ‘Find Me Falling’, which released on 19th July. She also stars in ‘All My Friends are Dead’, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this June.
Ali, we’re able to watch you in Netflix’s ‘Find Me Falling’. Tell us more about the film and its story.
‘Find Me Falling’ takes place on the beautiful island of Cyprus. It follows the story of a rock star, John Allman, who is attempting to flee his failed career comeback, but instead rekindles with an old flame while meeting some eccentric new local friends. At the heart of the story, we see two adults take a chance at falling in love with life again while learning to forgive themselves and family along the way. ‘Find Me Falling’ is a feel good romantic comedy that really expresses the heart of the islanders living in Cyprus.
How would you describe your character in the film, and what is her role in the story?
My character, Melina, is an outspoken, charismatic local islander who wants to follow her dreams of becoming a singer. She performs locally while also working at the town’s grocery store. Through her work, she stumbles upon an unlikely friendship with Harry Connick Jr.’s character, John. Melina and John have a lot in common and through their friendship we begin to unravel the past and the real reason why John has gone to Cyprus.
In what ways did you connect the most with your character and the film itself?
I connect to Melina in many ways. Her love and devotion to her family and her community were something I loved when I first read the script. In addition, her love of music was something I easily related to as I studied musical theater in college and fell in love with the arts through Broadway musicals. I connected to the film in that it represents the love and support family and community provide, and I am fortunate enough to have a great team of friends and family who have supported me in my life and career.
You also star in ‘All My friends Are Dead’, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. What excited you the most about this film, and how was the experience of having it premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival?
When I first read the script for ‘All My Friends Are Dead’, I loved the ensemble aspect of it. There was a great camaraderie among all of the characters which paved the way for a lot of fun scenes as a big group. I also love that this film doesn't take itself too seriously despite being a horror film. Having AMFAD premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival was a dream come true for me. I currently live in NYC and most of my friends and family are all close by, so it was really special to be able to premiere in New York with my loved ones there to support.
What made you pursue acting as a career? How did you get passionate about it?
My mom, Elizabeth Reiko Kubota (Whitney), was an actress in the 80s. I grew up surrounded by the arts because of this. She started taking me to see friends in Broadway shows when I was just 4 years old. Being raised in a household that had so much respect for the arts made it feel possible to be able to pursue acting as a career. Going to UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television to study Musical Theater nourished my passion for performing and gave me the confidence to continue after graduating.
What kind of roles and projects do you find creatively the most challenging?
The projects I find creatively the most challenging are usually the ones that require me to learn a new skill. The first film I ever shot, ‘The Road Dance’, required me to learn a Scottish accent while also filming on location in the Outer Hebrides. For ‘Find Me Falling’, I had to study Greek and not only speak in Cypriot Greek, but sing in it as well. While this was all creatively challenging, it also helped me get into character more easily.
Looking forward to the future of your career, what are your ultimate goals for it?
My ultimate goal for my career is to be able to create projects that I want to be in and be able to have more creative control. There are so many stories that I would like to see told, including my grandparents’ love story from the Japanese Internment camps during WWII. I hope to get to a place where people come to me for roles and I can work consistently, and ultimately collaborate with artists that I have admired. I also am continuing to pursue my love of theater and hope to be on Broadway one day.
Do you have an actor or actress you could say you look most up to, as an inspiration or idol?
Natalie Wood as Maria in Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise’s ‘West Side Story’ is what made me want to be an actress as a kid. I have also always looked up to Julie Andrews as an inspiration. She inspired my mom to be an actress, so I grew up listening and watching her constantly. Ashley Park is another actress I feel inspired by. She is paving the way for Asian American talent and I aspire to be able to follow in her footsteps of doing it all one day too, Broadway, TV and film.
Outside of acting, what are some of your biggest passions in life?
Sports were a huge part of my childhood. I grew up playing soccer, tennis, lacrosse, basketball and golf. I love spending my free time playing sports with my friends and family. Specifically golf, tennis and pickleball. I’m also passionate about working with kids and helping bring the arts to them. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with an amazing charter school in Harlem through their literacy buddy program as well as their elementary/middle school musicals. Check out Harlem Village Academies in NYC to learn more about the amazing resources they bring to their students.
We know we’ll also be seeing you in ‘Worth the Wait’ later this year. What can you share with us about your other upcoming projects?
‘Worth the Wait’ was an incredible experience. Working on an all-Asian/Asian-American romantic comedy was a dream come true. I am excited for audiences to see our incredible cast, led by Lana Condor, Ross Butler, Andrew Koji and Sung Kang, shine in this script. I had the pleasure of starring opposite both Sung and Ricky He. I can’t give too much away, but I would describe our film as a combination of ‘Love Actually’ meets ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love’ in that it follows the love stories of multiple couples and how they are all interconnected. Up next for me is working on writer/director Laurence Harlan Jacobs’ short film ‘Don’t Be Shy in LA’.
TEAM CREDITS:
photographer MATTHEW PRIESTLY
styling DANIELLE & ALIX
hair MARCO SANTINI
makeup JULIETTE PERREUX