Meet Tanisha Hereast of New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanisha Hereast.

Hi Tanisha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Brooklyn, raised in the Bronx and moved to Staten Island during my young adulthood. I first became interested in acting around the age of 10 years old. I was highly inspired by watching the show sister sister with Tia and Tamara. I remember always watching, reruns and knowing all of the lines. I used to fantasize that I would be on an episode with them as their cousin from New York. Since the show took place in Michigan. A lot of people used to tell me that I resembled them at that time with some of the features and the dark long curly hair. My mother had always supported my dream, although she didn’t know much about the business. She tried her best to show support by getting me different reading materials about acting and took me on a few auditions. Unfortunately, due to lack of knowledge we came across a huge scam that was later on featured on the news for their shiesty business after we had paid several 100 dollars. That truly was a lesson learned and my first huge disappointment in acting. As I got a little bit older in my teen years, I spent a lot of time in the library with a close friend and we would do cold reads of different plays and monologue’s together. I continued to work on my craft in this way, as well as taking classes and as I got older I featured in theater attending City college in Harlem. During this time I started my family and was having children while attending college and still standing strong and pursuing my dream of acting. I believe it was in in 2014 when I booked my first theater role at a small theater in Mount Vernon. In that show it was my first time learning how to roll with the punches and last minute changes. My role was changed 5 days before Showtime. And to my surprise I adapted extremely well! After that I continued to book Theater roles and Independent film. I remember my first Independent film role came 2 days after I was laid off from my part-time job and I thought what the heck like I’m going to go on on audition. This was many years ago when we all as actors relied on the backstage magazine LOL. It was my first audition and I booked a lead role! Unfortunately the project did not come into fruition but it was a wonderful experience. So I continued on in the independent sector, also received private coaching from a few one being Kim Hopkins during covid. Covid. She inspired me to create my own projects at this time. I’m currently working on my 3rd Independent film. My first one is called not again which is currently on YouTube. My second film is in The edding stages this time and I’m currently writing the third one. I’m super proud of what I’ve been doing. Also, at this time I’m currently casted as lead roles in in a independent film called cousins and an independent series called artist development. I’m super excited to play these two different roles that I’ve never played before, like. Overall, I love acting getting really tuned in with the cow character or and bringing it to life while sprinkling myself in the character.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, for most people no road is smooth. They are always some bumps. Back in my childhood. The first huge bump was that scam that my mother and I came across. I came from a single parent home and money was tight but my mother did what she could to pay what they said they needed. And in the business of acting there will be and has been lots of rejection. You have to learn to have thick skin, not take it personal and if you don’t book a roll, it doesn’t mean that you weren’t good. It just means that you weren’t the exact fit for what they had in mind.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Outside of acting, I am a care manager which is something similar to a social worker for people with intellectual disabilities.; it’s pretty rewarding. What sets me apart from other people. I would say my heart of gold! I am extremely caring, compassionate, and generous. One of the things that I’m most proud of is a few years ago I served as a surrogate, carrying a baby for a woman who was not able to. That was one of my dreams. I have three dreams and I have accomplished two out of three. One of those is to make a comfortable living off of my acting career. This is the last one on the list to accomplish.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
New York is where it’s at! People who grew up here and move elsewhere always talk about how they miss the food! So I would say that is my favorite part of the city is the delicious food that we have here. For example, in order to get a good chopped cheese you have to go to the hood! That’s a fact. LOL I love the fashion and diversity of New York. I love how when I step outside of New York. People always know where I’m from. What I like least about the city is certain areas have obvious high levels of drug use, poverty and mental illness that I feel personally needs to be addressed. Addressed. What I also dislike of the city is the cost of living! It’s ridiculous but I digress.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracejoy2025
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17eWWBM66y/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tanishahereast2026?si=0gUDajMAbOy29LL3