Alisha Vellani Diversity

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Recommended: Stereotypes in the film industry

I am one who appreciates diversity in film and TV--I really do. I know I'm as white as they come (I have regularly apologized over the years for the color of my skin as more often than not, many things are assumed about me because of the way I look), and when I noticed Aliza Vellani in a recent Hallmark film, I knew I wanted to interview her. Thankfully, she agreed, and she was quite happy to tell me how she got started in the business, her notable and current works, and even a bit about her unique perception of the industry as a whole.

Photo Credit: Liz Rosa
RH: What inspired you to become an actress? What kind of training have you received?

AV: I have always wanted to be an actress since I was a little girl. For me, acting is like getting …show more content…

I still feel like I am in training and that I will never stop being in training. It’s very much like any other profession. You always want to make sure you are the most up to date in your field of work.

Please tell us about your first job and how it impacted your career.

Believe it or not, Little Mosque on the Prairie was the first thing I ever booked as an actress, and it went much further than I expected. Six seasons on such an incredible show has definitely made the most notable impact on my career. I would say a huge part of what I have learned in the industry still comes from working on that series. However, as I have gotten older, I have had some amazing experiences such as being turned into a zombie and working with incredible actors such as Gillian Anderson.

How did you get involved with Little Mosque on the Prairie? Please tell us your experience with that …show more content…

Diversity is becoming a huge topic in film and TV, and we are seeing more diverse characters on screen than ever before. People have asked me if I am bothered by the idea that I constantly play medical roles in the industry, and to be quite honest, I think it’s actually a great thing that I do! Being an actor isn’t exactly in the top three professions for East Indian Women my age. As great as that would be, that isn’t the reality. The truth is, when I get cast as a doctor in a show, I feel like I am truly representing the many intelligent East Indian women in the world that deserve to be shown. I would say the best thing I have seen right now for auditions would be in the breakdown of a character I audition for. At the top of the page it always says “We are open to all ethnicities,” and that always makes me smile. It assures me that the attitudes are positively changing in the industry and it will continue to do so in the

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