Biography
Shanti Ashanti was named after her family's Non-profit Organization, a rare shelter for homeless and abused youth, Beit Hashanti, based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Raised with 40 different sisters and brothers at any given time, she was exposed to many unusual cases of kids in need of a loving home. In her late teens and early twenties, she worked as a guide in the home, helping many of her peers in their personal process to accept and leave the past behind them, while becoming strong individuals in society. Till today she's working as a mentor in the organization, helping the troubled youths choose life and guiding them to make their dreams a reality. The experience motivates and inspires her work in every field.
Trained in Ballet and Modern dance from a young age, Shanti found her niche in performing and entertaining. As a teen, she was accepted into Israel's well-known High School for the Arts, Ironi Alef. She specialized in dancing and acting, while a member of Beit Tami's theater group, performing original pieces and classics like House of Bernarda Alba on the stage of the most reputable Israeli cultural center, Suzzane Dellal. Shanti obtained her B.A. in dance and theater in Tel-Aviv studying at the prestigious Seminar-Hakibbutzim College, during which she appeared in numerous theatrical productions throughout Israel.
In 2009, Shanti moved to New York City to pursue her acting career while studying with Lee Strasberg alum, John Anthony, at his "Second Studio." In 2014, Shanti continued her journey in Los Angeles. There, she studied with Stella Adler alum and respected acting coach, Marjorie Ballentine. Now living between Israel, New York, and Los Angeles, she maintains an international career.
Shanti starred in "Where Do You Live?" an Israeli comic drama. The TV film "Gun Hill," in which she had a lead role opposite Larenz Tate, is available on Netflix. "Gun Hill" secured three spots on the NAACP Image Awards 2015. It also screened at the 2013 BET Awards in Los Angeles and the 2013 Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City. Recently, Shanti was featured in the major motion picture "Jarhead 4: Law of Return", a Universal production, which is also available on Netflix.
Despite her years of professional experience in acting on stage and screen, she has discovered that singing demands a different kind of courage, one that's solely dependent on the strength of your voice. Possessing the strength of song invigorated her, so she has been writing, composing, and singing for the past 3 years. She found guidance navigating this new skill from an amazing creative director, Moran David, which worked with Israel's top singers. Moran and the versatile pop music producer, Ido Brian Rivlin, helped Shanti create a sound design that mixes: Pop and Soul, in her music. Shanti released her first single "FALL IN LOVE" and the following "ANIMAL", both reached popular Radio stations in Israel.
