Aneesh Sheth is a radiant force in the world of film, theatre, and activism, a woman whose journey is as courageous as it is inspiring. Born in Pune, India, and raised in New York City, Aneesh blends the richness of her Indian heritage with the vibrancy of American arts. She began performing at the tender age of seven, and over the years, carved a path for herself as an actress of grace and depth. You may recognize her from her roles in Outsourced, My Inner Turmoil, and Arbore, where she brought both authenticity and heart to the screen. But Aneesh is much more than her filmography. She is a passionate advocate for transgender rights, using her platform to challenge stereotypes and uplift her community. Her work with organizations like The Trevor Project and The Stigma Project speaks volumes about her commitment to saving lives and changing minds.
Aneesh also made history by co-hosting The TransView, one of the first web-shows centering trans voices, proving she’s as comfortable at the mic as she is under stage lights. Her artistic talents are matched by her elegance, intelligence, and fierce compassion. Whether portraying the complexities of trans identity onstage, or mentoring others through their own transitions, Aneesh is driven by love, empathy, and a vision for a world where everyone can live as their most authentic self. Today, she lives in Seattle with her husband and continues to pursue bold, meaningful work in both performance and advocacy. It is my absolute pleasure and honor to bring you this conversation with Aneesh, a woman of beauty, strength, and unstoppable spirit.
Hello, Aneesh! I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome you to my blog, thank you for joining me today!
Aneesh: Hi Monika! It’s truly an honor to be here. Thank you for having me and for the kind welcome!
Monika: For those who might be meeting you for the first time, could you share a bit about who you are and your journey so far?
Aneesh: Sure! I am an actress and activist originally from New York City. In 2010, I made my way to the West Coast, first to San Francisco, and then to Seattle in November 2013, where I currently reside.
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| Grishno Interviews: Aneesh Sheth (YouTube) |
Monika: Can you tell us how your passion for acting began, and when you knew it was the path you wanted to follow professionally?
Aneesh: I was lucky enough to have parents who were very supportive of the arts, and to live in New York where there is an abundance of it. Ever since I was very little, my parents took me to see lots of theatre and opera, and somehow I got bit by the bug. I think I was cast in my first show at age 7, and just continued my journey in theatre and film from there. When I was ready to leave for college, I made the choice to pursue a career in acting, and I was very lucky to have supportive parents who encouraged me to pursue my dream.
Monika: Who are some of the actresses, films, or creative figures that have had a lasting influence on your artistic journey?
Monika: Who are some of the actresses, films, or creative figures that have had a lasting influence on your artistic journey?
Aneesh: Sandra Oh is a big inspiration for me. She’s extremely talented and keeps her head above her “celebrity status.” She focuses on the work and stays out of the limelight. I’ve always admired her for that. I’ve recently read Janet Mock’s Redefining Realness, and Janet is an incredible writer. It is so inspirational to read stories of others who have lived experiences similar to mine and to see how far they’ve come and what they’ve achieved.
Monika: Your network television debut came in 2011 when you played Kami Sutra on NBC's Thursday night sitcom Outsourced. How did that opportunity come about, and what did it mean for your career at the time?
Aneesh: Kami Sutra on NBC’s Outsourced was my network television debut. Until then, I had done a few documentaries for LogoTV and PBS, and mostly theatre. I was very glad to hear that the producers were eager to hire someone trans to play a transgender character, something that has become a very heated topic of discussion lately, especially surrounding Jared Leto’s portrayal of Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club.
Monika: In 2011, you portrayed Priya in My Inner Turmoil, and the following year, you played Cypress in Arbore. Can you share how those roles came to you and what they meant to you personally?
Aneesh: I got the opportunity to play Priya in My Inner Turmoil after hearing about the audition through a friend. She knew the screenwriter and introduced us. The short film shows the struggle of a young woman who identifies as trans but feels forced to live as a man in her public life for fear of rejection from family, friends, and society. It is a story I think a lot of us can relate to. What was so special about this story was that Priya, the main character, was not only dealing with the duality of genders but with the duality of culture, as she had recently moved to the United States from India.
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| Copyright 2011 Kurt Jones. |
Arbore was a short film I worked on with a talented group of young adults studying filmmaking at Ex’pression College for Digital Arts in Berkeley, CA. It was my first horror film, and it was a lot of fun to work on.
Monika: What exciting projects are you currently involved in, on stage, screen, or elsewhere?
Aneesh: Currently, I am in rehearsals for a one-act play entitled Sexual Healing, by Seattle-based playwright Sarah Harris, which tells the story of a transgender woman and her quest to find true love. This is the first play of its kind being produced in Seattle. I hope it begins to open doors and windows for transgender characters in theatre. Then in June, I will be participating in a staged reading of a new play, At the Very Bottom of the Ocean by Benjamin Benne, where I will actually be playing a cisgender woman. And in April, I will be a co-host alongside YouTube's Grishno on a monthly web show called The TransView. Our first live show is Saturday, April 5, at 12 p.m. Pacific, 3 p.m. Eastern. Be sure to tune in on Grishno.
Monika: In addition to your acting career, you've been actively involved in advocacy work for the transgender community, including with organizations like The Trevor Project and The Stigma Project. Can you tell us more about your activism and what drives your involvement?
Aneesh: I like to be involved in my community and have always involved myself somehow. I also volunteer, as I have done in the past with The Trevor Project. I began my time there as a volunteer call center counselor for LGBTQ youth. I also volunteered at Beth Israel Medical Center on a Neurology Surgical Step-down Unit. Most recently, I was on the board of directors for The Stigma Project, an organization that uses social media to help curb the stigmas of HIV.
Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender stories and characters have been portrayed so far in films, books, and the media? What do you think needs to change?
Aneesh: I think it is great that filmmakers, writers, and directors are starting to bring the lives of trans people to the screen. However, as important as that momentum is, it isn’t perfect. Some argue that actors should be able to portray a range of characters, including trans characters, while others argue trans characters should be played solely by trans actors. While I agree that it is an actor’s job to portray different types of people, it is equally important for trans actors to get opportunities to be cast.
We have a long way to go in terms of the depiction of trans people on screen, and I think more fleshed-out, fully realized transgender characters would be better served by casting trans actors. I do hope we get to a point where any actor can portray a trans person in an honest, fully realized way. Until then, filmmakers need to be a little more daring and not afraid to stray from the stereotypical portrayals we have seen in films thus far.
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Aneesh Sheth - If I Didn't Believe In You (J.R. Brown) (YouTube) |
Monika: During your transition, did you have any transgender role models you could look up to or follow?
Aneesh: Unfortunately, not. Growing up in NYC, my only experience with trans women was limited to sex workers and drug dealers along 8th and 9th Avenues. While training for my counselor position at the Trevor Project, a young trans woman came to speak to the class about trans issues.
After hearing her story, I began the process of realizing who I really was, and shortly after that meeting, I started my transition. Although I didn’t have anyone besides my doctor and a therapist supporting me through it, I found others online through social media to whom I could relate. That’s the beauty of the internet, you can find anything you need!
Monika: What was the most difficult part of coming out for you?
Aneesh: The hardest thing about coming out was telling my family. Looking back, I think to myself, “Why did I worry so much?” At the time, I felt like my whole life was about to change in ways I wasn’t mentally prepared for, even though I wanted it. I was terrified of the emotional and physical changes that were to come. In the long run, though, it wasn’t nearly as scary as I had imagined. I can thank an amazing support group of friends and family for that.
Aneesh: The hardest thing about coming out was telling my family. Looking back, I think to myself, “Why did I worry so much?” At the time, I felt like my whole life was about to change in ways I wasn’t mentally prepared for, even though I wanted it. I was terrified of the emotional and physical changes that were to come. In the long run, though, it wasn’t nearly as scary as I had imagined. I can thank an amazing support group of friends and family for that.
Monika: How do you view the current situation of transgender women in American society?
Aneesh: I think we’re just beginning to lift the veil on the lives of transgender people in the United States and around the globe. Just recently, I saw the photographs of artist Àlvaro Laiz, who captured transgender individuals across the world. People are starting to see trans people everywhere, from social media to film and television to the news. We still have miles to go before the stigma and stereotypes around being trans are behind us, but at least the conversation has started.
Monika: Do you think transgender rights represent the new frontier in the broader fight for human rights?
Aneesh: I think LGBT rights, not just transgender rights, are the new frontier. Sometimes I just can’t believe it’s 2014 and some nations, including the United States, still haven’t fully accepted LGBT people.
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| Copyright 2011 Kurt Jones. |
Monika: Are you involved in politics or advocacy? Do you take part in any lobbying efforts? And do you believe transgender women can make a real impact in the political arena?
Aneesh: I am not active in politics, although I am a political news junkie. I have often considered moving into politics; however, that would require a big shift in my lifestyle and living.
Monika: How important is love in your life, and how has your experience with love been as a transgender person?
Aneesh: Love is a big thing in my life. I think I, like many others, transgender or not, have always feared that I would never be loved in the way I need to be loved. Love and acceptance from peers and family is a constant concern. Being transgender adds another level to that: Can I even find the kind of love I’m looking for? Luckily for me, I met the man of my dreams a few years ago and have been married for almost a year now.
Monika: Are you passionate about fashion? How would you describe your personal style? Do you have favorite designers, colors, or trends you like to wear?
Aneesh: I love fashion! When I was in high school, I attended a pre-college program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, thinking I might want to be a fashion designer. I grew up sewing and making costumes for local theatre troupes. Although designing and sewing have always been a passion of mine, it’s not something I’m nearly talented enough to pursue as a career. Still, I love fashion, and my style tends to range from classy and sophisticated to edgy and, often times, just plain weird. To each their own, I guess!
Monika: What are your thoughts on transgender beauty pageants and the role they play in society?
Aneesh: Growing up, I would never miss the Miss Universe Pageant. Mainly, it was because I wanted to see Miss India, but probably deep down, I longed to be as beautiful as those women, although I didn’t realize it at the time. Now that I’ve become a fully realized woman, I tend to find the idea of any beauty pageant a little off-putting. There is a huge emphasis on sexuality and a certain standard of beauty for women that I disagree with. I know many women who are just as beautiful, or even more beautiful, than those ‘pageant’ girls but don’t fit the “ideal” beauty type. And that’s okay! I much prefer being around people who are beautiful on the inside, as cliché as that sounds.
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| Copyright 2011 Kurt Jones. |
Monika: Many transgender women write memoirs about their experiences. Have you ever considered writing a book of your own?
Aneesh: I have thought about it! In fact, for about five years now, I’ve compiled index cards with memories written on them, and I continue to do so. I used to keep a diary, but life gets so busy that I find writing memories on cards to refer back to easier for me. My hope is to one day write an entire book from these cards!
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Aneesh: Be true to yourself. If you’re scared, concerned, or have questions, reach out. Talk to people; make connections. Don’t isolate yourself. And most importantly, dream big. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t be someone or something because of who you are. When I transitioned, I didn’t think I could ever be an actress again. I am still surprised to find that my career is thriving more now than it was prior to my transition.
Monika: Aneesh, thank you for the interview!
Main photo credits: Kurt Jones
All the photos: courtesy of Aneesh Sheth.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
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