Amazing Asians in the Arts: Anthea Neri Best

 

Anthea Neri Best is a singer, theater and TV/Film actress based in Los Angeles! Formerly a Genetics Specialist, she has worked in the theater in NYC and LA, and is currently playing the role of “Kailani” on Tacoma FD on TruTV and is a Chef/Judge for Season 2 of Sling TV’s Hot Mess Express! Keep reading to find out more about what makes Anthea an Amazing Asian in the Arts! 

Name: Anthea Neri Best

 

Heritage: Filipino

 

Hometown: Born in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina

 

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

 

Current Project: “Kailani” on Tacoma, FD on TruTV, and Chef/Judge for Sling TV’s Hot Mess ExpressSeason 2

 

What are some of your favorite credits/projects?

 

“Kailani” on Tacoma, FD on TruTV

“Tanya” in Mamma Mia! at East West Players

 

What are some interesting facts about yourself?

 

I used to be a Genetics Specialist. I worked at both Duke University and Mount Sinai Biochemical Genetics and Genomics.

 

Do you have any favorite moments in your career that you’d like to share?

 

So many! When I received my letters to join Actors Equity Union and SAG were big moments. I also remember taking the final bow when I performed as Diana in Next to Normal at East West Players. My parents drove cross country to see me on stage. It meant the world that they were both there to see me perform because at the time my mom was battling ALS and Frontal Lobe Dementia. I also remember when I was asked to sing the national anthem at Dodgers Stadium at the Staples Center. Just to be able to feel all the energy at those events was so memorable!

 

Any advice for young people getting into the arts?

 

KEEP GOING! Believe in yourself. Trust your instinct. REALLY enjoy your growth and your process. Everyone has a different path, so create your own. ASK a lot of questions, take a lot of risks and put yourself out there. Use what you have and create, connect, and have fun! I graduated with a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science, and now I sing and act for a living. GO and dream big!

 

How did you get your start?

 

I was cast in GMA7 Pinoy Pop Super StarSeason 3 in the Philippines!

 

Who do you admire?

 

My mom, my dad, and my husband. My mom recently passed away after a 5 year battle with ALS and Frontal Lobe Dementia. My parents taught me to dream big, work hard, always work as a team, and treat everyone like family. My husband has always believed in me since the first day I met him. He is my witness, my inspiration, and my teammate. He leads by example and has shown me to get out of my own way. Honestly, we help each other every day to grow and to be the best versions of ourselves.

 

Do you have any mentors?

 

Tony Award-Winning Legend, BAAYORK LEE. She believed in me and showed me how to get started when I didn’t know anything about the industry at all. She had me sit behind the table while they were casting for a Broadway show before I had ever even auditioned in NYC. She is an amazing example of a wonderful human, mentor, and friend. She was the one that encouraged me to quit working at Mount Sinai, believe in myself, and go for my dream. She told me I could make it. Six months after I quit working as a Genetics Specialist, I was offered my Actors Equity Card for working in Here Lies Lovefor the Public Theatre in NY!

 

Did you always want to be in the arts or did you have another path before you got here?

 

I ALWAYS wanted to be a creator. I was always creating shows: singing, dancing, producing, and making movies and music videos ever since I was a little girl.

 

Where did you study at?

 

I graduated with a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science at Western Carolina University

 

What is your greatest accomplishment?

 

Making a mindset shift. It always starts with your mind, when you BELIEVE it, you will see it. Stop waiting for people to choose you. You must first choose yourself! After that shift, I experienced a lot of growth and self-awareness. Now, I just see things in a different perspective.

 

What do you love most about what you do?

 

That I LOVE what I do. I get to hang out with fun people, and I get to create and play for a living.

 

What inspires you?

 

My family. My husband. My amazing and talented friends. Dr. Joe Dispenza. Oprah. Esther and Abraham Hicks. Eckhart Tolle. Dr. Wayne Dyer. Tony Robbins.

 

If you could name one point in time when everything changed for you, what was it?

 

When my mom passed away. I realized that we weren’t ever granted tomorrow. All we have is the present. Many people play it safe and play small, but the thing is you can still do everything right and still fail, so why not do what you want to do. RISK it all to live a fulfilling life for you because you do deserve happiness, and you can live your dreams!

 

To find out more about Anthea, please visit her at:

 

Instagram: @officialanthea

Tiktok: @officialanthea

Facebook: @officialanthea

YouTube: @theofficialanthea

www.OfficialAnthea.com