Ali Fumiko Whitney is an inspirational American actress of Japanese, English, and Scottish ancestry who has appeared in films such as "The Road Dance," "Snow Valley," and, most recently, "The Islander." Ali currently resides in New York City but previously lived in Los Angeles, where she attended UCLA and studied theater. Ali may be busy working on projects, but that doesn't stop her from volunteering for Harlem Village Academies and supporting environmentally friendly brands. She also works with non-profit organizations such as CAPE to give Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders a voice and empower them in entertainment and media. Her dedication to embracing her culture does not end there; she also enjoys Asian cuisine and, despite being gluten free, is able to find a variety of delicious meals and healthier alternatives. Read on to learn more about Ali Fumiko Whitney, her roles in "The Road Dance," "Snow Valley," and "The Islander," as well as to learn more about the nonprofit and volunteer organizations she has worked with.

Where are you based? I currently live in New York City!

You are the daughter of Tony-Award-winning Producers, Ken and Liz Whitney. Would you say you were born to act? When did you first notice it as your calling? Growing up with a mother who was an actress influenced my love for performing. She exposed me to the arts at a young age and while neither of my parents were producers during my childhood, they helped give me the confidence to pursue my passion as I got older! I have known I wanted to be an actor since I was four years old and saw my first Broadway show. The joy I get from being part of a production, whether it be in theater or film, is hard to put into words! I am grateful that I have been able to pursue the arts with the love and support of my family.

You studied theater at UCLA but are originally from New York. How do the two coasts teach or explore theater differently?
In general, I find LA and NYC to be very different and incomparable cities. I think your environment always affects how you learn and therefore studying theater in LA was a very different experience for me. While we did study in studios, we also had the opportunity to have class outside which offered a different lens and experience. Weather, in general, affects the way I feel so getting to live in a city that allowed for outdoor activities all year round made my four years at UCLA very special.

Your first film is “Snow Valley,” a horror film that is set to release in 2022. What can audiences expect from this film?
I’m very proud of this film as it is my sister’s passion project that she and her friends worked tirelessly on throughout the pandemic. It is not a traditional horror film but rather more of a thriller with elements of comedy. My character, Kiko, was an absolute blast to bring to life and it was an honor to get to act alongside my real-life sister, Rachel Michiko Whitney.

Your next film “The Road Dance” recently premiered in the US at the Santa Barbara Film Festival on March 3rd. What has the reaction to the film been like so far? I’m so grateful for the positive audience responses so far, and am happy to hear audiences have been moved by our film. “The Road Dance” took home the Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Critic Award at the Manchester Film Festival, and has received great reviews via Rotten Tomatoes. Our film is now playing nationwide in the UK, and I look forward to sharing this movie with audiences in the states very soon!

The film centers around first love, the horrors of war and patriarchal oppression. How does this period drama relate to modern times?
I don’t want to give too much away, but I think the main tragedy Kirsty faces throughout the film is something a lot of women will unfortunately connect with. As well as how she overcomes this tragedy through the love and strength of her mother and sister. The overall theme of female strength in this film is what initially drew me to the project, and I hope audiences can walk away feeling empowered by the courage and power Kirsty, played by the brilliant Hermione Corfield, embodies.

You worked with filmmaker Richie Adams on this film in the remote location of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. What was filming on location like?
Stepping onto set for the first time took my breath away and I could not have dreamt of a more beautiful place to film a movie. The land felt untouched and preserved which added an element of realism to creating this period drama. Putting on the costume and getting to film where our characters would have lived during WWI helped me step into the character of Annie. The film captures the Isle of Lewis beautifully and I am excited for audiences to experience it.

Are there any particular genre of film that you would like to work on in your future career? I would love to work on an action film in the future! I have always been a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so putting it out there into the Universe that I would love to take on a badass action role in that world!

You have translated your love of musical theater into volunteer work at Harlem Village Academics, in NYC. How are you able to integrate music and performing arts into their courses? You are also a part of their youth leadership program. What type of volunteer work does this entail? Why is this important to you?
What initially drew me to HVA was meeting Hugh Jackman, a longtime supporter, when I first visited the school at 14 years old. I remember walking around their Elementary School as he gave us a tour and seeing the teachers incorporating songs into their lessons. When I started to volunteer for HVA in 2019 I knew I wanted to help with their school musicals. Their teachers are incredible in that they have curated a curriculum which encourages independent thinking and builds the confidence of these students. I want to continue to support and spread the word about HVA’s amazing schools because it is important to me that kids from all backgrounds are given the chance to explore the arts!

As an American actress of Japanese-English-Scottish descent you have also expressed interest in joining the Asian coalition within the arts. Can you tell us a bit about the coalition and why it is important? Currently, I follow along with a nonprofit organization called CAPE. Their online presence is an incredible outlet for keeping up with Asian and Pacific Islander representation in Hollywood. My goal is to help find stories that highlight the Asian American experience and help bring those projects to life! It’s important to me to share how proud I am to be half Japanese because growing up I never felt I could relate to characters I saw on TV and therefore did not connect with my Asian heritage as much. It was not until I went to UCLA and took an Asian American studies class that I fully understood myself and my cultural background.

We also heard that you have also embraced your culture through your love of cooking Asian cuisine. What is your favorite dish to prepare?
My mom is a phenomenal cook, and I am so fortunate I grew up learning from her in the kitchen. Stir fry is probably the easiest dish to throw together and one my mom constantly cooks for my family. We usually take what we have leftover in the kitchen and add in any additional vegetables and chicken with teriyaki sauce (gluten free) or soy sauce (tamari) and pair it with a fresh pot of rice. Another favorite of mine is a dish called Chazuke, or Ochazuke. This is a Japanese dish we make using cooked rice with savory ingredients like furikake and a green tea base. I always pair this soup-like dish with umeboshi, which is a traditional Japanese pickled plum (salty and delicious and have many health benefits as well!).

As someone with a gluten free allergy, how are you able to work around that in the kitchen? Honestly, there are so many incredible gluten free alternatives available now that I find it easy to cook most meals gluten free. Eating out is often more of a hassle than staying in and cooking as not every restaurant offers “certified gluten-free” options and cross contamination is a big issue for me with my allergy. The brand Banza is my go-to for a gluten free pasta alternative as the chickpea base makes it full of protein! I also think my allergy has forced me to be more conscious of what I cook which makes for a healthier lifestyle overall. There is always a silver lining.

Jejune loves that you are also really passionate about the environment and actively shop consciously. What brands are your go to for reducing your carbon footprint? Do you have any advice for people who want to start shopping consciously but don’t know where to start?
I am still new to discovering more brands that are eco-friendly, but right now my top two favorite stores are Reformation and MATE the Label. Both clothing brands allow you to see how you are helping the environment with each purchase and the quality of their clothes is incredible. I live in my matching sweatsuits from MATE! I still get intimidated at times when I think about shopping consciously, and I still have a long way to go. However, I find doing research and asking friends is the best way to hear about brands dedicated to making an impact with the environment.

How are you staying positive during the current wave of the pandemic and all the insanity going on in the world?
Staying in touch with my loved ones. Reaching out to people to check in on them and connecting over shared anxieties or stressors. Journaling and taking time to rest and reset. Staying physically active as much as possible. Being outside in nature. Also, in general, spending time with my family, particularly my three adorable nieces, Teagan, Kenley, and Locklyn. They bring so much joy into my life and I am so grateful for them!

What does your new normal look like? My new normal consists of more alone time. I think in general, aside from the pandemic placing restrictions on social gatherings for so long, I learned to really love being on my own. For me, finding quiet moments to focus on things that make me happy has been therapeutic. However, I still am fortunate that I see my friends and family often. I live with my younger cousin Lucy, and together we have formed our little New York City routines of exploring restaurants in our neighborhood while also enjoying time at home together.

Do you have any future projects coming up that you could talk about? I am currently in Cyprus working on a dream role for a Romantic Comedy called The Islander with Harry Connick Jr. This role and project have been the experience of a lifetime and I can’t wait to share it. Getting to sing in a film is something I have always dreamt of getting to do and to get to do it with Harry is INSANE!! Somebody pinch me!!

What is your motto in life? “If it’s to be, it’s up to me”. My late Auntie Jeanie lived her life according to this motto. I never met her before she passed from battling colon cancer, but I hope to live my life in her honor and always keep her fearlessness with me throughout my journey.

To see more from Ali Fumiko Whitney and view her upcoming projects, you can follow her on the platforms below:
Instagram: @alifumikowhitney
IMDB

Photography by Storm Santos.

Ali Fumiko Whitney- Learning To Love Her Heritage