Wednesday

Fashion

Ami Sheth

If you’ve ever been inside an Ethan Allen store, all it takes is a quick glance around to see that the furniture is mainly traditional American furniture, inspired by colonial touches – the perfect slice of Americana, if you will – which is why it’s surprising to see in a recent EA commercial, an interracial couple discussing the reasons they went with Ethan Allen. However a lot of what actress and model Ami Sheth has been doing has been surprising – and surprisingly refreshing. Bravura Artist got a chance to sit down with the gorgeous and tantalizing Ami Sheth and discuss not only her career in the entertainment industry, but also her degree as a doctor, and her thoughts on where the acting and modeling industry is headed in today’s very global and diverse age.

Beejoli: When did you start getting involved in modeling/acting?
Ami: I was very young and my parents put me into a modeling class, just to help me gain poise and self-confidence. All throughout grade school and high school, I took acting classes, loved to sing, took Bharatnatyam classes at our temple, and basically just found so much joy from being on stage and being a performer.

How did you transition from a girl from New Jersey who just loved performing to turning your passion into a career?
My modeling career started when I participated in an Indian fashion show at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City when I was 16. I was concurrently taking acting classes throughout high school and performing in musicals. After high school, I continued modeling in Boston while attending Boston University. I got a degree in biology but also made sure to take a lot of acting classes in my schedule as well. It was at that point that I went to veterinary school at Ross University, instead of focusing on my career in the industry. My life changed completely and I was very focused on getting my degree – I even graduated with honors! I would model here and there, if it didn’t interfere with my schedule. I continued on to Cornell University to do clinical rotations, and started to get involved in the theatre program there. I played Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and was basically reminded at that point of how much I missed acting and performing.

Wow! So you’re a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine. What made you ultimately fall back into the acting and modeling scene?
Acting and modeling was something I’d done my whole life and I had always viewed it as more of a hobby than a career path – a wonderful escape from reality. But after working for a while as a veterinarian, I began realizing that I was turning down some amazing opportunities, working terrible hours and getting very burnt out. I realized that I’m only young once and needed to follow my heart and happiness. For me that was pursuing a career in entertainment – and I’ve never been happier.

What challenges do you feel you’ve had to face – especially as a South Asian in a decidedly non-South Asian industry?
In modeling, it isn’t as difficult being South Asian as it is in acting. Beauty of all kinds is embraced. You could be quirky looking or beautiful, but people don’t really care what ethnicity you are as long as you fit “the look” they want. Acting is completely different. Everyone is a “type”. You are submitted or not submitted for a role depending on your ethnicity/weight/height/hair color/body type…so much! And there aren’t many roles specifically looking for an Indian female. I tend to get cast not just in Indian roles but “ethnic” or “ambiguous” which means you could be anything. I like to say “I play anything brown”!

Do you think the face of modeling/acting is changing to reflect the increasing diversity in America?
Definitely! The modeling world is changing fast…the fact that there is even a term now called “ambiguous” shows that the face of America is changing. There are all kinds of people and interracial marriages, so much so that you aren’t quite sure where everyone is from anymore. Acting, both film and television, always moves slower. But there is change there also. I did a commercial for Ethan Allen on mainstream TV. I played one half of a young hip interracial married couple, and my husband was an Australian soap opera star! That was progress! There were no Indians on television when I was growing up and now there is a handful. I think it will only keep getting better for us.

You’ve definitely done a fair share of modeling and acting within the South Asian community. Do you ever worry about being pegged simply as “that Indian girl”, or have you not encountered that obstacle?
We have to look to our community for support because there aren’t the opportunities in the mainstream for us otherwise. If the Indians won’t hire me, than why would anyone else? Who better to wear Indian fashions or sell calling cards to India? I also am a host on ImaginAsian TV for the television show “Pulse: The Desi Beat”, and as far as being labeled as that Indian girl…well, I AM that Indian girl, and I’m okay with that.

You often see South Asian actors fulfilling stereotypical roles in film and on television – as cab drivers, convenience store owners, and doctors. Do you see this changing soon?
It will change, but it will take time. The same thing happened with the African- American community, and then the Latino community. At first they came onto television just filling stereotypes, but with time the lines got blurred. We are definitely next!

Where do you see yourself in ten years? Are you leaning more towards acting or modeling?
Unfortunately, fashion modeling years are short. You can continue to do print work but even that is much less as the years go by. Luckily, you can act forever!

What suggestions do you have for girls that want to follow in your footsteps?
I know your parents say it, but I’m saying it too – finish school! There is no substitution for getting your education. Then follow your dreams, be persistent, and believe in yourself!

Ami Sheth grew up in New Jersey and has been involved in performing arts, dance, modeling, and singing since a very young age. She currently hosts a show on ImaginAsian TV, and has starred in several short films, music videos, and commercials. She also has a successful modeling career, and holds a degree from Boston University in Biology, and is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Pictures Courtesy Of: www.AmiSheth.com