Simmie Sangian: Finding Extraordinary in the Unexpected

  Don’t kid yourself, the reality of most artists is that they lead professional lives which combine critically praised productions alongside those that allow them to contribute to more “practical” projects. Twenty years ago there was an invisible line that accomplished actors avoided into commercial work lest they appear unable to support themselves solely with feature films. These days are long gone as recognizability is paramount and the gate keepers who controlled Hollywood are less guarded. Actress Simmie Sangian revels in this new template as it allows her to vacillate between films with substantial gravitas, such as in her multi-award-winning performance in the film Honor, in addition to other lighthearted and more brief productions. You’ve likely seen her in campaigns for Wayfair, CVS Beauty, and others; all the while thinking “Why does that woman seem so familiar?”. Part charisma, part malleability, and certainly full of talent, this British born actress of Indian descent emanates a worldly sense that allows her to connect with so many who gravitate towards her presence. 

  Simmie has established herself as a film actress who takes on roles that present women in character defining roles. While she revels in these opportunities, her work in commercials allows her to focus on the strength of female characters in more lighthearted productions. Regarding her recent appearance in a campaign for Wayfair, Simmie notes, “What I loved most about working on Wayfair was the idea that a strong woman doesn’t need a man to fit her shelves! She can do it herself! That is exactly what I did in this commercial and it felt both empowering and glamorous.” In a social media campaign for Katana (featured on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube), the safety doggle that affixes to any cell phone, Simmie received a boost in reconginzability when Oprah Winfrey selected Katana as one of her favorite things of 2018. 

  Beauty and fitness campaigns have provided working opportunities for actresses for decades. The modern iteration of these commercials requires both a charisma and a relatability from those whom are featured in these productions. From Social Media Ads on Instagram and YouTube to broadcast network national campaigns for companies like Koress Beauty, Hairstory, L’Ange hair, GLO, and others, Simmie has been seen working out, doing yoga, and living a daily life which perfectly communicates the “every woman” experience of today. How does this actress feel about the ubiquity of appearing on so many different platforms in productions that downplay glamour for real-life aesthetics? Simmie proclaims, “I’m really happy that companies are in touch with reality rather than imposing an unattainable status of what beauty should be. Korres beauty was a very empowering shoot. It was all about natural, glowing, bare skin. I love that no makeup was used and it was all about the skincare product on my skin. We all know that beauty standards can be somewhat unrealistic at times, so this production was a great step forward in changing the beauty standards.” Simmie also notes that commercial campaigns such as these offer her the chance to work with others whom she admires, such as when she starred in the CVS “Beauty in Real Life” campaign directed by Kat Keene (of the Peabody Award-Winning and Primetime Emmy and News & Documentary Emmy Award-Nominated Brick City). “Beauty in Real Life” focused on real women and the individual sense of beauty that they all can attain. 

  Embracing the eclectic core of an actor’s life in 2021, Simmie Sangian’s present day typifies the diversity it offers. Having just completed work on award-winning filmmaker Kellen Gibbs fantasy drama Tomorrow about a woman who inhabits the bodies of others on her journey to get back home, Simmie is currently shooting a Dermologica campaign to promote their line of products which will be on their website, social media, and billboards in Sephora. Los Angeles inhabitants will see Simmie’s face for quite some time as her face is presented on billboards, websites, and banners for the 2021/22 campaign promoting AIDA for the LA Opera.