Multitalented Filipino-American actress and singer, Melody Butiu, has been performing for over two decades in various TV shows, films, and stage productions. Some of her notable TV credits include appearances on shows like “Modern Family," "True Blood," "General Hospital," "Without A Trace," and "Harry’s Law." In addition to her on-screen work, Melody Butiu is also a talented singer and stage performer. Melody played Estrella in David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's musical, "Here Lies Love," at The Public Theater in New York City, among numerous other theatrical productions. Last summer, she played Tita Yvonne in “Easter Sunday” produced by Jo Koy. The film starred an all-Filipino cast, and Melody talks about that experience along with what’s next for her.
In the comedy, "Easter Sunday," this was the first time, as long as I can recall, seeing an all-Filipino cast. What was the feeling like for you walking on to the set every day ?
Yes! “Easter Sunday” is the first Hollywood Studio-backed film centered around a Filipino cast. To be produced by Amblin, Rideback, and Universal Pictures was an incredible milestone for us as a community. It was such a joy to share this experience and create this big, boisterous family with so many Filipino artists. There were cultural references and touchstones that we recognized right away, and the way we bonded was so instinctual, almost like a shorthand. Because we shot during a time of strict Covid restrictions, we had a very close cast bubble and we lived on a single floor in our apartment building, which also gave us time to connect and get to know each other. Even on our days off, we found time to explore the city, ride bikes in the park, go to open-air markets, cook for each other, eat, celebrate, and sing karaoke together.
How relatable was it for you playing Tita Yvonne? Did it remind you of how you grew up with your own titas (aunts)?
As soon as I read the audition material for Tita Yvonne, I thought, “Oh, I know this tita!” She reminds me of my mom and also of my own titas. She’s affectionate, fun-loving, cannot pass a karaoke machine without taking a turn at the mic, and loves to be all up in your business. Because the central titas—Tita
Susan and Tita Theresa (Jo’s mom and aunt)—were in an epic battle throughout the movie, I wanted to bring another element and personality of the women I grew up with.
Jo Koy is the most recognizable face representing Filipino culture in the mainstream. What did you like the most about working with Jo and the rest of the cast?
Jo is incredibly kind, positive, generous, charismatic, and humble. I saw how passionate and determined he was in making sure Filipino culture was represented and that our family had an opportunity to share our voices and our stories. The day before we started shooting, he gathered us all together to thank us and share how much it meant that we were part of this project and how excited he was to share this experience with us. People in our cast came from so many different backgrounds—some with careers in stand-up, others with improv and sketch comedy experience, others with extensive film careers, and people like me, with a career built mostly with plays and musical theater. We were all incredibly supportive of one another and loved to lift each other up and make each other laugh throughout the process. We had the opportunity to play, throw in our own jokes, and try different takes to the scenes, thanks to our director, Jay Chandrasekhar. I learned so much and also had a blast diving into the process. In his latest special, just released on Netflix, "Jo Koy: Live from the Los Angeles Forum," he talks about his journey and the challenges he faced in making his voice and his mom’s voice heard, how he wanted to open the doors of representation to not only Filipinos, but people of all backgrounds and experiences.
You're also a singer. Do you have any albums planned for the future?
No albums of my own! But I am featured in the original cast recording of David Byrne’s musical, “Here Lies Love,” a show we did at The Public Theater in New York in 2013 and 2014. I also sing with the band Dinosaur Tooth here in LA. My partner, Alan Combies, is a phenomenal drummer, along with the brilliant musicians Jeffrey Cleveland, Nate Hertweck, Douglas Freyre, and Tony Silbert. When I’m not traveling, I’m often sitting in with the band, singing covers of artists such as Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Gaynor, Joss Stone, and more.
What advice can you give to other Filipino actresses or actors who may want to pursue a career in the arts?
Embrace all the things that make you unique: your experiences, passions, hobbies, travels, relationships and friendships, points of view, look and fashion, and how you move through the world. All of these things will inform your art. Be prepared, professional, and kind to those around you. Continue exploring and working on your craft and be ready to jump in when the opportunities arise. And do your best to avoid the comparison game. Everyone’s journey and trajectory is different. It’s often not a steady climb, but a roller coaster of ups and downs, milestones, and dry spells. If you are constantly holding your own success against other people’s journeys, you will find yourself judging your own path rather than enjoying it and being curious about what’s next. This career, this life, is full of unknowns, and that’s something you want to embrace because it means that so much is possible.
What is your ideal role, and do you feel "Easter Sunday" gives other Filipino filmmakers the confidence to have their stories greenlit?
I’d be excited to tackle a character that is nurturing and loving, but also complex and flawed, who might make huge mistakes, but fight to do better. I certainly hope "Easter Sunday” is a step in the right direction, and that more Filipino filmmakers and artists have the opportunity to share their perspectives, both in comedy and drama. The more specific we get with our storytelling, the more universal it becomes, because it allows people to connect with our humanity. That’s why representation is so important. Our experiences are part of the fabric of the American story, and we want our voices to be heard.
Creative Credits
- Written by
- Christina Anastasiou
- Senior Editor
- Jessica Catignani
- Photography
- Ben Cope
- Retouching
- Brianna Kish
- Glam artist
- Caitlin Krenz
- Styling
- Sky JT Naval
