Mabuhay and welcome back to Filipina on the Rise… 

Today, our host Tesz Millan is excited to talk with Kimee Balmilero, a successful Hollywood and Broadway actor and singer, who is breaking through the entertainment industry's glass ceiling while inspiring the world to laugh and feel good with her effervescent energy and her beautiful soul. More recently, Kimee played opposite Fil-Am Comedian Jo Koy as his sister Geraldine on the TV pilot JOSEP. She can also be seen regularly on CBS’ Hawaii Five-O and Magnum P.I. as Medical Examiner Dr. Noelani Cunha. In addition to playing a wide range of major television roles, Kimee first started her career in musical theater, starring on Broadway in the Original Cast of Mamma Mia! as well as performing in the 2nd National Tour of Miss Saigon, which she joined right out of high school.

In this episode we’ll cover…

·       Working with Fil-Am Comedian Jo Koy and how the movie Easter Sunday is one of many examples of how Filipinos are ready to have their stories featured in Hollywood.

·       Kimee’s Hawaiian upbringing, which led to her auditioning for roles that weren’t typical for Asian actors and how that led to her breaking through Hollywood’s glass ceiling.

·       How Hawaii continues to be a trailblazer in hiring local actors and featuring Asians in major film and TV productions. 

·       The importance of celebrating each success as Hawaii's entertainment community continues to open the door for Asian stories.

·       The joy of acting with her dad on a special episode of Hawaii Five-0.

Importance of Episode:

Kimee has persevered as a Filipina in an industry that is only now just starting to share Filipino stories in a big way. She recalls a time (not so long ago) when she could only audition for the one Asian role in a major production, to now going after and winning lead after lead, regardless of her ethnicity and skin color. What’s remarkable is that a major part of her success can be attributed to her Hawaiian upbringing, where seeing Asian faces on television was normal. It’s why she never thought twice about busting through Hollywood’s seemingly impenetrable glass ceiling and going after roles that would normally have excluded her because she’s Filipina. Most important, despite paving the way for Filipino representation in the entertainment industry, Kimee continues to hold humility and hope for what’s to come. Because she knows, this is just the beginning for all of us.

Watch Exclusive Footage from The Interview with Kimee: https://youtu.be/wBNLMhTv7qw

Connect with Kimee: 

·       Website: https://kimeeb.com/

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimeebalmilero/

Join the Filipina Soul Sisterhood Circle! Hang out with Krystl and other “journeying” Pinays every week, as we reconnect with our culture, meet with and get mentored by impactful, industry-disrupting Filipina leaders, and help each other step into our power as Pinays.
 
Support, Share, Follow, Get Spotlighted:

·       Support the show for as little as $1 a month: http://patreon.com/filipinaontherise

·       Follow IG @filipinaontherise

Pledge $3 or $10 a month to help keep the show going! Here: Patreon