Sumalee Montano

🌟 Feeling incredibly grateful for the inspiring energy from @salamisarah and @thesilverlining_1970 ! Your passion has empowered me to join the @not_controversial_ movement 🕊🌍✨️ Upholding our shared humanity, dignity and rights is not just essential—it’s our collective responsibility ❤️ Hoping that more voices will feel safe and encouraged to advocate for what matters. Together, let’s uplift each other and amplify our #notcontroversial stories! Let’s create a space where everyone feels heard and valued 💪✨

8 years ago this month, I took a leap, flew to Silicon Valley to see a college friend, and pitched my first film. Little did I know, that moment would kickstart my journey as an actor-producer. 🎬✨ Since then I’ve had the honor of producing/exec producing 8 films that represent my passions and heart as a storyteller—more than I could ever express in words. Our mission has been to tell intergenerational stories that uplift talent from historically marginalized communities. As part of the AANHPI community, it’s important to me to collaborate and build alongside other BIPOC artists. Reflecting on how much I’ve learned and receiving feedback from audiences has been a highlight; knowing how our films move people is why we do what we do. Our films have also been honored with 4 Sundance Film Festival awards, including the Grand Jury Prize; a Peabody Award; and nominations for the Emmys, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Critics Choice Awards, plus human rights, journalism, and changemaker awards. I’m so humbled to be a part of these films and incredibly proud at the same time. It’s been a lucky 8 years. And there’s more to come that I’m excited to share—stay tuned! 🎥❤️ #Filmmaking #LinLayProductions #Storytelling #ActorProducer #Grateful Films ➡️ - BLACK BARBIE: A Documentary (@netflix ) - SUGARCANE (In Theaters Now! @natgeodocs ) - NANNY (@amazonprime ) - RIOTSVILLE USA (@hulu ) - THE DEAL (Streaming on @appletv @therokuchannel & @electricnowtv ) - RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE (@pbs ) - COMMUTED (@pbs ) - AFTERSHOCK (@hulu )

I’ve been masking since March 7, 2020. It’s not just a habit—it’s a choice rooted in care and responsibility. For me, it’s about protecting my health and the health of those around me. I’ve been lucky enough to stay safe and continue working, but I know not everyone has that privilege. There are many people who can’t work the same way because of Long COVID, a reality that lingers far beyond the initial illness. I wear a mask because I want to avoid that fate for myself, and because I know the people I work with, and live alongside deserve the same protection. It’s about the collective. The more we mask, the safer we all are. Masking is a PERSONAL CHOICE that is reflective of my PUBLIC COMMITMENT. Beyond that, I wear it in solidarity with immunocompromised disabled people, and those who are most impacted by COVID - Black and Indigenous people. This isn’t just about preventing illness, it’s about ensuring that everyone is cared for. And yes, I’m also fighting back against the political forces trying to erase these safety measures. Mask bans aren’t just misguided—they’re dangerous. They put people at risk, and it’s our responsibility to stand against them. If you’re looking for more resources on how to navigate this, or want to learn more about Long COVID, masking, or disability justice, I’ve linked some info in my stories. Knowledge is power, and we need to keep supporting one another. 🙏 (Disclaimer: If you ever see pictures of me without a mask, I have taken the necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s saftey around me. This can look like holding my breath for short periods of time, COVID Testing, air ventiliation, nasal sprays, etc.) #KeepMasking #LongCovidAwareness #DisabilityJustice #FightMaskBans #PublicHealth #SafetyFirst #Solidarity #MaskTogetherAmerica

Been using stories to share stuff that I see on my daily walks. It helps keep me consistent -- doing something every day for my mental and physical health. These are a few of my favorite images from Week 1. I reeeeally hope I can keep up this habit! It's given me more joy than I anticipated🚶🏽‍♀️📷💗

✨ ✨🇵🇭💜OMG All these beautiful Filipino Faces!!! 🎬 October is Filipino American History Month 🇵🇭✨ This month, we honor the generations of Filipinos whose talent and storytelling have left a lasting mark in Hollywood. From the early pioneers who first appeared on screen to today’s creators breaking barriers, our presence has always resonated — shaping, inspiring,​ enriching ​and adding heart to the ​world of television and film. At the Manila International Film Festival, we celebrate this legacy and the bright future ahead — recognizing that our stories have always mattered and continue to shine on the big and small screens, connecting cultures and communities around the world. 💛 Special thanks to Ben​. AJ ​and Moses for the incredible research and work! This is. just a teaser! #ALLTHESEBEAUTIFULFILIPINOFACES!! ​#FilAmHistoryMonth #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #ManilaInternationalFilmFestival #FilipinoPride #Hollywood #RepresentationMatters #FilipinoArtists #filipinocinema

Today is the season 4 premiere of Love, Death & Robots on Netflix!!! *Endless* gratitude to Tim Miller, David Fincher, our brilliant director Jennifer Yuh Nelson and casting director Ivy Isenberg for entrusting the oh-so-precious “Little Nose for Profits” to me :) I’ve lent my voice to over 200 animated characters (across video games and animated series) but this role is extra near and dear to me. Not only because I’ve been lucky enough to be part of this anthology from season 1, but also because I voice a higher-pitched — and super adorable — creature character! It’s something that my long-time agents at AVO know I can do, 🙏 But it hits differently when you’re also given the role from such an amazing team ❤️ A personal highlight from the premiere screening was the Q&A hosted by the legendary Guillermo del Toro!! When singing the anthology’s praises, Guillermo spoke about how #LoveDeathAndRobots pushes the boundaries of animation to mind-bending heights, proving there’s still so much this medium can accomplish. I couldn’t agree more! Animation allows storytellers to be incredibly innovative and groundbreaking. It’s no wonder #LoveDeathAndRobots has won so many Emmys and other awards. Being celebrated isn’t just about shiny trophies but about being seen by lovers of craft. Knowing I’m part of a project that has moved people in that way for years is a wonderful pinch-me moment. Thank you for your continued support over the last six years and make sure you head to @netflix to watch season 4! ❤️‍🔥💀🤖 Premiere pics by super-duper plus one, my friend @jinnyxchung ✨️ Premiere glam ❤️ Styling: @chantalbond Hair: @creepycheekytiki Makeup: @makeupbybora

📣 ENTERTAINMENT LABOR WILL NOT BE SILENT ‼️ An artist’s duty is to speak out against injustice. A union’s duty is to stand in solidarity with all those laboring to be free. Unions around the world are protesting the surge of repression and ongoing genocide — BUT NOT HOLLYWOOD. On this May Day we declare loud and clear: Our union leaders’ deafening silence and complicity do NOT represent us. We are united for Palestinian freedom BECAUSE we are united for labor justice. For Indigenous rights globally. For an end to racist state violence here at home. Our solidarity will not break. We will not stop fighting for Palestinian freedom. WE WILL NOT BE SILENT. ```````````````````` DEEP GRATITUDE TO — @juanita_stiles of Sweet Potato Productions @dominicstewart.film @yourfriendlilan @saagarshaikh @queitann @filmworkers4palestine @watermelonpictures @thesolidarityindex ````````````` MUSIC @alsarahandthenubatones — “Wad Alnuba – Captain Planet Remix” @clarissabitar — “Fi Kul Ballad”

My name ‘Sumalee’ is a Thai word meaning “fragrant flower.” It refers to Arabian Jasmine (slide 2) which happens to be the Philippines’ national flower, which we call ‘sampaguita.’ I love the way my name ties together the 2 nations that make up my heritage. And lately I’ve come to appreciate a 3rd connection: how my name ties me to my Arab siblings who call West Asia home (slide 3) and are also part of the Asian community. Bear with me for a mini-history lesson: While Thailand was able to avoid colonization, the Philippines did not. To be Filipino/a/x is to straddle multiple cultures and lean into our history of resistance & resilience in the face of imperialism. It is to know war & desecration, but to also know love & *kapwa* (slide 4). To be Asian American at all is to know that in the western world, our diaspora has had to fight back against war machines, internment, the model minority myth, and much more (slides 5-6). Somewhere along the lines, some of us got separated from the revolutionary ethos of our elders & ancestors. We forget where solidarity was strategically built and lean into a hyper-individualism that isn’t who we really are (slide 7). As Arab American Heritage Month draws to a close and AANHPI Heritage Month begins, I want to use this post as a reminder that Asia is an expansive continent holding multitudes. The stories of Palestinian people are Asian stories as well – stories worth protecting (slides 8-9). My heart aches for the decades of loss and devastation. But to stand up for the Palestinian people, is to stand in the truth of what it means to be a Filipino and Thai American woman aware of the struggles that came before her. The word ‘sampaguita’ also stems from the Tagalog phrase meaning ‘I promise’ (slide 10). So in the spirit of the name my parents gave me, I promise to use each day to stand deeper on the right side of history. Thank you for reading this far. Thanks to all who make these connections clear like @pinaycollection @beyonkz @18millionrising . And thank you, most importantly, to my West Asian siblings in Palestine who help us to see and not look away.

I am Filipina-American 365 days a year, but April gives me an opportunity to express my Pinay pride through my mom’s birthday today. Being Filipino in Hollywood means bringing our culture into every room with us, so those coming up after us know they don’t have to shrink themselves to be successful. Here are some of the ways I’ve done that over the years and the loved ones who make me extra proud of my cultural roots! 1: 🇵🇭❤️❤️ (Hair & makeup by @lazadehboudoir ) 2: mom and I 🥰 3-5: One of the greatest joys of my life has been my time as a US Fulbright Scholar to the Philippines, so I was elated to be featured in the Fulbright Program’s 2024 Year In Review (link in bio) 6-7: #SeverinoMontano, a National Artist of the Philippines (playwright, director, actor, and theater organizer) who also happens to be my granduncle! These are images of his commemorative stamp & the inside cover page from Vol. 1 of his Selected Plays 8: my mom with her parents and older sisters, just before her Debut (18th birthday party in the Philippines) 9: the Filipina character (“Blessie Dalisay”) I play in the DreamWorks Animation series “Fright Krewe.” It was such a joy bringing this Pinay mother figure to life!! 10: a photo from the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike with Fil-Am fam! 11: image of the Sunrise Mixer I sponsored at Sundance this past January. It brought me so much joy to carve out space for us during such an important week and festival for filmmakers and film workers. 12: my very first TV job in Hollywood was portraying a recurring Filipina nurse named “Duvata Mahal,” on E.R. literally more than 22 years ago 😱😝 Mahal kita! 🇵🇭 And happy heavenly birthday, Mom. Thank you for the beautiful life you shared with me. I miss you with all my heart. #PinoyPride #FilAmActor #Filipino

#TheResidence has been out for nearly a month and I’ve enjoyed seeing viewers love it as much I did from our first table read. What makes this moment even more special for me is knowing how amazing it felt to bring this project to life and that it shines through on screen. Swipe through for a #photodump of some #BTS moments. And if you haven’t already, let this be your reminder that all 8 episodes of season 1 are available NOW on Netflix! P.S. I was masked up a lot more than this slideshow reflects *and* I’ve honed the skill of holding my breath when I need to be close to others while unmasked — like in photos. COVID safety and community care are *always* in style!

Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine how many fans would turn out to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Transformers Prime! Arcee has been such a special character to me. I’m beyond grateful to share that connection with so many. And there would be no anniversary without YOU. Thank you for the kind words, hugs, smiles, and gifts of appreciation. And cheers to people who traveled from afar, including Hong Kong and Korea! I had an absolute blast meeting everyone at #TFConLA 💙💖 Heartfelt thanks to @TFCon organizers & staff. Thanks @moyminyoy for being the best handler ever. And thanks to my rockstar friends @taniagunadi29 and @gregchunva for helping me get ready (for my first con in over a decade). A warm thank you to Frank Welker, even though he’s not on IG. Frank wrote the absolute best “welcome to this world” e-mail to my kiddo when he was born. I think we were recording the 3rd season of Prime at the time, and I’ll never forget his words of encouragement. Happy I got to express my gratitude to Frank again. And a big shoutout to the whole TFPrime cast and crew @dcshowcase @mfgriffin818 @nicoledubucink @joselopez @davidhartmanart @spacepadre @blumspew @erniehudsonofficial #petercullen #jeffkline #kevinmichaelrichardson #jeffreycombs #DaranNorris #JamesHoran @david_sobolov #andypessoa and the list goes on. Am thinking very much too about Roberto Orci who was always kind and supportive of me 🙏🏽🕊 Sending lots of Prime love to everyone, always. Happy 15th Anniversary!

The premiere of The Residence was like something out of a Hollywood dream. It’s the gift of a lifetime to be part of such a powerhouse cast and crew – and to be the first Asian-American woman portraying the White House Chief of Staff (as far as I’m aware). At a time when our current presidential administration seeks to diminish and erase certain communities, this smart and witty series reminds us that no matter our background, we are all worthy of taking up space in the halls of power 😘 The Talbot Runhof dress I wore is actually my costume from the show – I love it so! Costume design by the brilliant @lynpaolo Shoutout to my incredible glam team for making me feel like my best self: Hair: @creepycheekytiki MU: @makeupbybora Jewelry styling: @lazadehboudoir V grateful for this outdoor red carpet event. As always, I’m masked when I’m not in front of the camera to stay as safe as possible. And last but not least, props to the best +1 I could’ve ever asked for, Gracy Lay. Producing partner extraordinaire and taker of many of the photos in this post. Love you, Grace! P.S. Keep an eye out for some BTS pics coming soon 😊 @shondaland @netflix @shondarhimes