Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with black-ish’s Siaki Sii

Polynesian triple threat Siaki Sii is taking the industry by storm. Fans know him best for his onscreen performance as Owen in black-ish, but he’s also an award-winning dancer and musician. Pop Culturalist caught up with Siaki to chat about his career and all the original music he has on the way.

PC: You’re an actor, dancer, and singer. How did you discover your passion for the arts? Is there one that you naturally gravitate towards?
Siaki: That’s a great question because I had to think back to that! I actually originally went to Nonosina Dance to become a fire knife dancer when I was seven. I had a few fire knife lessons, but my rugby schedule conflicted with my dance schedule, so “Gram”, the founder of Nonosina, introduced me to Tahitian dancing. She held my hand and walked me to meet my dance teacher, Tiana Liufau. Tiana said, “You can just watch. Whenever you are ready, you can participate.”

It took me four consecutive weeks of watching before I actually participated and discovered that this was my passion, and I have been doing it ever since. Although I do a variety of things, dancing would be the one I naturally gravitate to, and it’s any kind of dance form.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Siaki: My faith has been the biggest influence on my career. I have overcome so many obstacles and challenges. I’m still going through them, but my faith has never wavered.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Siaki: I think the biggest moment that stands out for me was my very first performance as a music artist: it was for a Christmas event for the Inner City Community and Youth. That’s where I discovered that I have a special place in my heart for the Inner City Youth and I wanted to make sure that I acknowledge every single person who came up to me.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Siaki: I said this before, but I will always be grateful for the support system that I have had along my journey and continue to have. It’s because of my support system I have learned many things along the way. I learned that every path has a purpose, so what I know now is that there are no shortcuts, and you have to put in the work to succeed in anything you do—it doesn’t happen overnight.

PC: You’re spreading a message of positivity through your craft. Have you always known you wanted to use your platform for good?
Siaki: I never planned on using my platform at all, but with time I’ve seen that this is how teens my age connect and what they turn to, so it’s one of the greatest platforms to share positive and uplifting good.

PC: What does the year hold for you as we look ahead to the rest of 2020?
Siaki: I will be doing a lot more new original music. I will be focusing on a lot of myself through music, and I am excited to share that with you all in the winter of 2020.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Siaki: Impractical Jokers

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Siaki: Fast & Furious

PC: Favorite book?
Siaki: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Siaki: The Lion King

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Siaki: Bee Gees

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Siaki: My little cousin, Jonas Tuifua.

To keep up with Siaki, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.