Chillin’ With Brittany Ishibashi

By Chilled Magazine

This summer Brittany can be seen co-starring as Karai in Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” a sequel to the summer 2014 blockbuster.

Set to premiere nationwide on June 3, 2016 the film, which also stars Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Laura Linney, Tyler Perry, and Will Arnett, follows the turtles once again as they come info conflict with T.C.R.I. scientist Dr. Baxter Stockman [Perry], The Foot Clan, and the return of their enemy, The Shredder.

Brittany shines as Karai, a highly trained ninja assassin and the leader of the notorious Foot Clan, who is also Shredder’s right hand woman who will stop at nothing to carry out his plan.

Chillin’ with Brittany Ishibashi
Photo Courtesy of Riker Brothers

You may recognize Brittany from some of the characters she has brought to life over the years on TV:  she has held recurring and guest star roles on over three dozen series including: “The Office,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House M.D.” “The Mentalist,” “Emily Owens M.D.” “Bones,” “Castle,” “Major Crimes,” “Grace and Frankie,” “Young & Hungry,” and “Supernatural.”  After an exciting debut at Comic-Con, Brittany reprised her role as Maggie Zeddmore in the “Supernatural” spinoff “Ghostfacers,” which has developed a worldwide fan base.

Brittany might be best known however for her role as Anne Ogami on USA Network’s Golden Globe and Emmy nominated series “Political Animals.”  She was a scene-stealer as the bright, beautiful interior designer whose distress is quietly mounting, as the pressures of life in a family of political animals begin to take their toll.

On the film and multimedia front Brittany has worked on nearly two dozen projects, some of which were under the direction of Joan Scheckel, Robert Redford, and Danny DeVito.

In her new role as Karai, Brittany is the only female villain in the film- check out what she has to say about playing a badass ninja, her fave restaurants and her awesome custom-made home bar!!!

Chillin’ with Brittany Ishibashi
Photo Courtesy of Riker Brothers

CHILLED: Tell us a little about the projects you are working on or have coming up?

Brittany Ishibashi: I play Karai in the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. She’s a badass ninja assassin and Shredder’s right hand woman. It was such a thrill to play in villain-action sequences, chase scenes, with weapons, and trying to take over the world! Bad guys always have more fun.

CHILLED: With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your down time?

BI: I like to get outside and take in some fresh air. I like to cook with my family and have impromptu dance parties with my husband and toddler. I also really value hang out time with my girlfriends. Give us some cozy clothes, a bottle of wine and dark chocolate and we’re good!

CHILLED: When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?

BI: We cook at home a lot but definitely enjoy trying new places for date night. I enjoy a lot of cuisines, but when we go out we gravitate toward farm to table restaurants and sushi. Our neighborhood has a ton of great sushi! My new favorite restaurant is Kali Dining on Melrose ave. (If you go, you must try the sous vide egg and wheatberry risotto). I also love Crossroads, Hinoki and the Bird, Sushi Yuzu… Some friends took us to N/Naka the other day and it blew our minds. We are finally visiting Bestia in a few weeks and I am so excited!

Chillin’ with Brittany Ishibashi
Photo Courtesy of Riker Brothers

CHILLED: What types of dishes do you usually order?

BI: I always try what the chef is known for and ask what the server’s favorite dish is and why. I also eat a LOT of vegetables and balance it out with a LOT of dessert.

CHILLED: Do you cook?

BI: Yes. My husband and I used to cook a lot more before we had a toddler, but we’re slowly getting back into it. We have a garden in the back yard and our son has his own plot that he loves to water and care for. It’s important to us to show him where our food comes from and how to prepare it. Cooking with a toddler adds a whole other degree of fun to it and helps me be more creative in the kitchen.

CHILLED: What types of drinks do you order when out?

BI: If I’m at a place with a cool bar program I will always get a few of the more interesting ones on the menu and share them with friends. I want to be able to try them all but I’m a lightweight! Taking a few sips of each one lets me sample the style and creativity of the establishment.

CHILLED: Do you prepare drinks at home?

BI: Sure do. My husband likes a good Old Fashioned and I like playing around with the fresh citrus and herbs from the garden.

Chillin’ with Brittany Ishibashi
Photo Courtesy of Riker Brothers

CHILLED: Do you own a home bar?

BI: It is one of my favorite parts of the house. We had it custom built when we were remodeling our home. It’s lacquered black with antique mirrors and copper hardware.

CHILLED: What is it stocked with?

BI: Thanks to my dear friend Jenn Wong (@WayOfTheWong), it is beautifully curated. She is my go to for all things cocktail related. Because of her, I have a bunch of fancy bitters that are fun to play with. If you come over, we will always have delicious and interesting liquors that cover all the bases. And wine. We always have a lot of wine.

CHILLED: What is your favorite drink/cocktail?

BI: My go to is an ice-cold vodka Martini with a twist. When I was pregnant I would literally dream of dressing up, sitting at a gorgeous bar and ordering vodka Martinis. That’s it.

CHILLED: Have you ever been a bartender?

BI: Yes. And oh boy do I have stories!

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