Actress, comedian, filmmaker, and model Anastasia Washington is doing it all. Her latest project features her playing multiple roles in the four-part horror comedy anthology “Grind.” Anastasia is also a fierce advocate for bipoc and women, tackling tough subjects, including police brutality, eating disorders, colorism, and more through the content she makes. To learn more about Anastasia Washington and her new film, read on.

Where are you based?
I'm based in Los Angeles.

You kind of do all the things! What inspired you to pursue acting, film making, modeling, and comedy?
Apparently I just wouldn't stop performing as a little kid. I was a handful, always singing and dancing even when I wasn't supposed to. My mom saw that I needed an outlet for this creativity and cultivated that in me and I started acting and singing professionally at the age of three. I was a unique looking kid, being biracial with red hair, so modeling was also a great fit, and I started that pretty young, before I even started acting. I came to comedy because it was a natural fit to how I see the world, and filmmaking gave me the chance to take my own narrative and run wild with it. It's truly freeing to be creating your own stuff.

Congratulations on your roles in “Grind,” a four-part horror anthology! Can you tell us a bit about this film and the themes explored throughout?
Absolutely! It's about working that gig life and living from paycheck to paycheck, which is so many people in the current economy, and the horrors that brings. I play various roles, just as we do in this weird life we live in, trying to get by with as many hats as we can to get the bills paid.

You play multiple roles throughout the project. What are some things we can expect to see from your characters?
Definitely different characters from crazy Karen type to cult following scammer. It’s really fun to play a range and all in one film.

You’ve played leading roles in many different horror films, including the short film “Gaslighter” and the horror comedy film “DeadHead,” and have even created your own Horror Filmmaker Community with monthly meetups, conventions, and more. Why is horror a genre you gravitate towards?
Well, I am a huge fan of horror — addicted to it as are most of the women in my family. I also find that of all the communities I navigate in; Horror is the kindest and most supportive community. The most empathetic people create and watch horror and I love that. Some people don't get it, but the complexity of horror and comedy has the power to deliver some amazing messages to the masses and create change. From Night of the Living Dead starting the zombie genre and putting a black man in the lead to women empowerment that I hope is becoming the current trend, horror is making a splash and political statements and that's how I like to create. I love to create for entertainment and for change.

We love how you have used your platform to educate your audience on topics like police brutality, eating disorders, and colorism. Can you talk about this a bit?
I think it's important as a creator to be authentic to who you are and what those stories are yours to tell. These topics are all things I have experienced first-hand, and they are all things I wish to see differently or have changed. I think that including them and exploring them in creative ways hopefully will cause such changes. By opening up reflection and discussion I hope to not only change my way of dealing with these things but others.

How have you been able to use your voice to break down barriers and stereotypes for BIPOC?
You know in some ways not rejecting the tropes and instead joining in on them, embracing them and adding my own spin...I really have carved my own way. Being mixed, I'm supposed to be the best friend and sassy, and well I am those things and I'm good at those things, but I am unique and have a powerful voice, so, I carve out position in a way that makes me stand out in complexity and support. Also, I have always been curvy even when I am the skinniest ever. By those standards and by the fact that I look different than everyone else, I should not be considered the hot one in things. Well, I am hot and you put me there. I am going to be hot at 200 pounds or 135.

You have a new monthly show called Comedy 4 Nice People. What inspired this show? Can you tell us about it?
Caryn Ruby, my co producer and host, and I got tired of being in shows with frankly disgusting individuals and feeling unsafe. We wanted a safe, fun and edgy environment for women, non-binary, lgbtqia and Bipoc people to feel safe and laugh and find community... and that is what we are doing. We're traveling with the show to different areas, having fun community exchanges like bringing a book you never read, getting one you will read, etc... We are really bringing nice people to comedy. I hope we can take this show even further on the road to cities and countries to really bring a communal positive message further.

How do you balance serious topics with humor?
I always try to come from a place of empathy, and If I don't know something, I am always honest. It's hard not to make mistakes, but the important thing is that I am willing to learn, and I don't come at people, we are in this together. The joke isn't on us; we are joking together, if that makes any sense at all. Sometimes I mess up, and I have to learn to be better — that's just the human part of comedy.

What changes do you hope to see in the future regarding representation within the entertainment industry?
I hope sexy can be all sizes and not be a big deal. I hope that colorism dies, and we show how all of our communities truly look.

You are a member of Women of Color Unite. Can you tell us a bit about this organization and your involvement?
I am!! It’s an amazing organization that was started by Cheryl Bedford with the JTC list, which is a list of women of color you can hire. She expanded it to programming to enrich, teach and network. She started programs like start with 8 in which top people in the industry mentor 8 women of color. She does so many amazing things. I was blessed with being a mentee in start with 8. I always want to get even more involved because this is truly an amazing organization that she never charges a dime for... not application fees, not education. That means some people who could not have accessibility to such things now do, and that’s so important. Having a diversity initiative that no one can afford to apply to really does very little to achieve parity and Cheryl puts her literal money behind everything she brings to the community.

What advice do you have for young girls wanting to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?
Love who you are and know that makes you the best. Cookie cutters don’t get far. Unique individuals do. And build your community. Find people you can bring up and bring you up.

Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
Definitely! I’m in a horror comedy called Plantasia doing its festival circuit, as well as two other horror films set to start doing the circuit this year as well. On both of the upcoming projects, I have my real life niece play my daughter, mother is part of the Womanhood trilogy by a first time female director and Svengali is a short by an up and coming first time director.

It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least three more. How have you been staying positive?
Oh, I have my moments, but exercise and creating has always been my outlets. I also think making things with good people not only changes the world, but it feeds your soul, so I just keep doing that.

What is your motto in life?
Empathy and truth are always the best way.

To learn more about Anastasia Washington, please check out the links below:
Instagram: @anastasiawash
Anastasia’s Website
www.comedy4nicepeople.com

Anastasia Washington: Fierce But Funny