ShareThisA Fil-Am actress from Chicago, who landed a coveted guest role in the hit ABC TV series Castle early this month, is making inroads in Hollywood after being in the business for a few years.
Tiffany Panhilason, who is in her 20s, is originally from Bacolod City, Philippines. She moved to Chicago when she was very young and then to Los Angeles where she is now enjoying a steady stream of success after starting out as a principal in her first-ever music video a few years ago with the Black Eyed Peas.
What followed after the BEP music video is an impressive list of projects that includes three films, TV shows, music videos and commercials. She has appeared in three movies: Slaughter’s Cove, American Dreamz and Dumbbells that’s scheduled for release in 2012. She played a sorority girl for the ABC TV show Greek, a surfer on HBO’s John of Cincinnati, a principal for TBS’ One Night Stand Up, a dancer for Showtime’s The Underground with Damon Wayans, Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush, Justin Timberlake at the VMAs, the Espy Awards and the Rihanna/Neyo Tribute at the Grammys, played different characters in Late Night with Jay Leno, a model for MTV’s Wild N’ Out, and many more. She played opposite Corbin Bleu in the Disney Celebrate You campaign and worked with big artists like Carlos Santana, Nickelback, Pharell, Gwen Stefani, Jonas Brothers, Pitbull, Ying Yang Twins and Lee Ann Womack, among others. Her TV commercials include Taco Bell, Pepsi, Nike, Disney, Nascar, Shiseido, American Idol, Best Buy, and a string of many more.
Tiffany is also a member of the all-girls rock group, Darling Stilettos, created by Matt Sorum, the lead drummer of Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver.
Darling Stilettos recently played in the Beatles’ LOVE anniversary show in Las Vegas. They also headlined numerous shows in the Viper Room in Los Angeles, in popular venues in Chicago and New York City as well as a pre-game show for the Miami Dolphins football team in one of their home games. Darling Stilettos also played in a few Camp Freddy shows with Steven Tyler and a show for Ryan Seacrest, both in Los Angeles.
She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). She is represented by two of the most respected agencies in Los Angeles, Momentum Talent Agency and LA Management.
“As an amazing young Filipina actress in America, Tiffany Panhilason has made extraordinary leaps and bounds to break out of the stereotypical Asian-American roles over the years. She has done this with the strong talent, passion, hard work and determination it takes to make it in this cut–throat industry. There is no doubt that Tiffany will continue to do big things!” said Rachael Horwith, Personal Talent Manager, LA Management Co.
Through perseverance and determination, this Filipino-American beauty and powerhouse – actor, dancer, fashion designer, and choreographer – is starting to carve out a name for herself in a business where being a minority could be a deterrent and going for the non-stereotypical roles poses an even bigger challenge. But for Tiffany, being different is a huge motivation to break barriers in Hollywood and an avenue for her to prove that being Filipino is something to be proud of. And from the looks of it, she’s well on her way!
Editor’s Note: Tiffany, daughter of MegaScene columnist Nelia Bernabe, went to school in Elk Grove Village.