Behind American Stunner

Twenty-two-year-old Danto has been making waves in the US for his wit and charm in film, television, and on stage. Hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia, it was always Danto’s dream to pursue a career in entertainment. After uprooting his life from Jakarta to Los Angeles, CA, Danto hit the ground running with his desire to perform. Since then, he has made a body of work that bodes short films, music videos, and musical concerts. On top of all of that, he is set to make his feature film debut in an upcoming comedy feature, set for release at the beginning of 2018. If his success in 2017 is any indication, Danto is well on his way to stardom.

The following interview with Danto has been edited for length and clarity.

THE PLATED PLANTS: Thank you so much for joining us today, Danto.

DANTO: It’s my pleasure! Thank you for having me. I’m such a huge fan of the blog.

Well, we’re huge fans of yours. We’ve been following your career as a performer for some time now. Can you tell us what it is about performing that you love so much?

I love that it’s limitless. As humans, I think that we’re all susceptible to insecurity, but performing is the one thing for which I hold no boundaries or reservations. I love that I get to leave my own reality as Danto and enter into another reality where my character lives, whether it’s on screen or on stage.

How did you realize your love for it?

I don’t know if there was a singular moment where I realized it, but I will say that as a performer, the one indication of my love for the craft is that I’m always itching to do it. Whenever I’m not on set or on stage, I’m always looking for the next opportunity to do just that.

In that case, tell us a little bit about your approach to performing and how it came about.

To me, it comes down to human nature. We all desire things and need things, and I always look for a way to embody and manifest that as humanly possible. I people watch a lot–more than I would say I should–but it’s the best way to get a sense of how people behave and why they behave the way they do. It’s the best form of character study. I can watch films as much as I want, but a real person in a candid situation is my favorite to analyze.

Speaking of movies, what would you say was the defining movie that inspired you to pursue this career?

This is going to sound ridiculous, but it’s Mean Girls. I remember seeing it when I was 9, with my dad’s consent–because my mom said no–and I remember thinking that it was comedy gold. I think Tina Fey is genius, and that film was so precisely cast. The way those actors portrayed comedy, paired with the script was perfection to me. I would love to be a part of a project like Mean Girls if the opportunity ever comes.

Well, you’re going to be in an upcoming film You Should Meet My Son 2, which tells the story of an engaged couple with a set of overbearing friends and family, and from the looks of it, it’s going to be pretty hilarious.

Oh gosh, I had a blast working on it. That whole process was just unbelievable. The film is a farcical comedy, so it’s over the top humorous, but aside from that, it’s also heartfelt and sentimental. It’s the ultimate combination of laughs and I would even say a little bit of tears.

Can you tell us a little bit about your role in the film?

I play a character named Greg. I would say that he is eccentric, quick-witted, and sassy. Greg stirs up trouble for the couple set to marry, but I think he ultimately means well because he does hope that they could work through their issues, that Greg actually started. [Laughs]

We understand that you made an appearance in the music video for John Legend’s “Penthouse Floor.” What was the experience like?

First and foremost, being in his presence was a dream, but to be in the music video was just unreal. It was super fun, and I strongly believe in the message of the song as well as the video, so to be a part of something I was that passionate about was awesome. I hope to continue to get involved in projects where it’s not only fun but fulfilling as well.

You also have been writing a book. Tell us about that.

This book is my baby. It’s called American Stunner, and it tells the story of two people in love in New York City. I often find when I watch or read about love stories that it seems cliché and sometimes even contrived. I wanted to create and exude a love story that’s grounded, but at the same time, full of passion. This is a story about two young adults and their surroundings, where their conflicts are within themselves and their relationships. Another aspect that I wanted to incorporate was a hint of comedy. I believe that no story is fully happy or fully sad because every day is a spectrum of emotions, so my story will have all the joy and all the pain and everything in between.

Finally, what does it mean to you to be a representation of Southeast Asians in the entertainment industry?

It’s something that I take very seriously. In an industry where I still wish for more representation for every person out there, I want to be part of the wave of change. I’m very happy with the opportunities that I’ve been given, and hopefully I get more and more opportunities as I go, but know that every single thing I do, I’m not only doing it for me; I’m doing it for Indonesia. I’m very proud of where I am, but I will never forget where I came from, and I’ll always carry it with me.