Shanti Lowry moves with such grace despite the challenges and setbacks she’s faced throughout her journey. What was once an escape mechanism, she molded and nurtured into a thriving career as a dancer, actress, and producer. Now she is spreading her kindness to those around her, striving to create more opportunities for women and people of color in the industry, and sharing tips to other busy moms to help them find balance and peace amidst the beautiful chaos.
She sits down with NEW YOU to chat about her upcoming thriller, Persona, her favorite workouts, and the power of manifestation.
1. You star in and produced the upcoming thriller, Persona, what can you share with our readers about the film?
Persona is an intimate thriller about a woman who wakes up injured, with no memory, trapped in a terrifying house. When she discovers another woman, bound and gagged in a hidden room, the terror quickly escalates. These two women, from very different walks of life, must try to work together to figure out what’s going on before the doors are unlocked and their captor is revealed. It took me almost 7 years to finally bring this movie to life the way I knew it deserved and I’ve never been more excited to share a project. Ever. I produced Persona myself and decided to take that opportunity to hire over 75% BIPOC and over 50% female cast and crew. I also starred in Persona while my daughter was just a year old, which meant living in my on-set trailer with my whole family during the shoot…it was …cozy.
2. When did you first learn that you wanted to be an actor?
I don’t ever remember a time when I didn’t want to be an actor. I’ve been interested in other careers but entertainment was always at the top of the list. I think that comes from a naturally creative spirit and also a difficult childhood. I was looking for an escape and acting offers you so many— in the characters themselves and also the distant locations where you shoot.
3. As someone who started their career as a dancer, do you find that your background in dance benefitted your journey as an actor?
Oh definitely. In many ways. The discipline I learned in dance has benefited my career immensely, for sure. In dance class, you learn to be aware of and correct yourself. It puts you in charge of your own growth. On a set those are great skills to have. And being a professional dancer actually put me on big sets to watch and learn from the best in real time.
4. Tell us more about how you aspire to make projects, like Persona, that create more opportunities for women and people of color in the industry?
I do aspire to create more opportunities for people of color and women in particular, yeah. I’ve been in the industry for 2 decades now and have witnessed how hard it is for us to even get in line, to get our foot in the door. And I really want to change that. For everyone involved. The industry is becoming stale because the perspectives are always the same. The writers are the same. The producers are the same. The directors are the same. Therefore, you get the same types of stories over and over. If I can hold open the door and let 10 new storytellers in, hopefully they do the same and someday soon the stories on screen might actually reflect the incredible variety of stories in the world. That’s the whole goal of my production company.
5. Who are some of your role models in the acting world?
I’m pretty obsessed with Viola Davis. She’s beyond talented and I love her as an actress alone. But to know her journey and how she has fearlessly paved a path for people like me to follow, is to love her in a whole new way. And Greta Gerwig. I’m in absolute awe of how much she’s accomplished at such a young age. I’m really excited to see where her creative journey is going.
6. Do you have a set routine before or after a long day of filming to help maintain a healthy mind and body?
That’s such a great question. I used to struggle with finding a routine and getting back to myself after a long day at work. But after having my daughter, Elora, that adjusting has become very easy. One look at her, one smile, one hug and I’m definitely back to being me. I like to plan to spend at least a half an hour just unwinding and being grateful before I do anything else when I get home from a long day on set.
7. What are your favorite ways to find balance as a busy mom?
That’s an ongoing project! But I’m a big fan of detailed planning with a willingness to pivot. If there’s something I want or need to get done I have to make sure it’s scheduled these days. And that’s something that took some getting used to, but it has also meant that I’ve been getting a lot more done when I have the time.
8. What are some of your go-to workouts that you’re loving right now?I’m a dance class and CrossFit fan. I take contemporary or hip hop or heels class twice a week and go to my gym to do a CrossFit workout at least three times a week. I also stretch for about 15 minutes every morning and do cryo once a week for recovery.
9. You have such beautiful hair! Tell us about your must-have products to keep it looking so lush?
Thank you! That’s a big compliment for me! I’ve struggled with my hair my whole life. My mom is white and she raised me alone. She did her best but she really didn’t understand the amount of moisturizing my hair demands. It’s taken a long time for me to figure out what works for me. I keep it really simple. I always sleep on a Sateen pillowcase. I use Mario Badescu rose water to refresh my curls with a bit of jojoba oil instead of mousse. And the jojoba oil is great for your skin too.
10. Do you believe in the power of manifestation? What have you manifested for yourself in 2024?
Yes. Yes yes yes. I work on my manifestations daily. To me, manifesting is just planning. Big plans! But planning. How will it feel, how will I act, how will I proceed? If you’ve manifested the opportunity over and over you’ve got a great map and can move forward with confidence. I believe I’ve manifested every bit of my life. From my marriage, I manifest a partner and friend to adventure with and I’ll be celebrating 20 years of marriage to my best friend this year. For my career, I manifest a path to create amazing content while opening doors and minds, with Persona making the festival rounds this spring. For my life, I manifest a sense of accomplishment and overall peace. And most days I feel like I’m finding exactly that feeling.
