HERITAGE: Japanese, Hawaiian, a bunch of Caucasian
AGE: 25
BORN & RAISED: Born in California, raised all over the world (military brat)
CLAIM TO FAME: Actress and filmmaker Anna Akana creates vlogs and short films on her popular YouTube channel, where she has over 1 million subscribers and 90 million views. While she discusses everything from mental illness and sexual harassment to hypnotherapy and her four cats, in her most popular video, “How To Put on Your Face,” (see below) she flips expectations by doing a makeup tutorial while giving tips on inner beauty. Akana will next direct and act in a female-driven comedy feature film that combines wedding photographers, love and sabotage.
My go-to karaoke song: “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
Last time I cried: In acting class, doing a dramatic scene.
What always makes me laugh: Kitten videos.
My go-to comfort food: Chicken tikka masala.
Last thing I ate: Chicken tikka masala.
Currently on “repeat”: “Nobody to Love” by Alex Newell.
A guilty pleasure I don’t feel guilty about: Getting my nails done.
Current favorite place: Magic Castle!
Favorite drink: Strawberry mule.
Current obsessions: My new passion planner, buying sweaters for my cat, Congress.
Pet peeve: People who don’t say thank you.
Habit I need to break: Obsessing over all details and failing to focus.
Talent I’d like to have: Be more outgoing.
Word or phrase I most overuse: “You know?”
My most treasured possession: My passion planner and “Think.” notebook.
Greatest fear: That I’ll lose sight of what’s important.
Favorite childhood pastime: Playing with my siblings.
Motto: It changes often, but as of now it’s “forget yourself.”
What’s cool about being Asian: Everyone assumes I’m much smarter than I am.
My job in another life: Probably be in the military.
This story was originally published in our Spring 2015 issue. Get your copy here.
