It seems that I’ve become quite the go-to for anything Persian culture these days! Exaggeration – yes, perhaps. But having the unique opportunity to connect with both Reza Farahan and now the gorgeous Asa (always seen as A$A in print) Soltan Rahmati from Bravo TVs Shahs of Sunset via the Internet gives me a personal glimpse inside their glamourous and increasingly popular worlds of Persianity. I was amazed at the speedy return I received from these celebrities in getting the responses back. As Asa tweeted me back, “I do this boo.” Yes she does.
From the time I sent the Q/A to when I gathered them back in my inbox, I was simply impressed, truly. I know people are busy. When someone cares enough to get something completed like this, they’re aces in my book. Truly a class act. Both Asa and Reza! Like I do during interviews, I tend to quote verbatim what I’m given with very little change only for continuity. These are actually the generous stars replying back to me taking time to let fans in on a little bit of their true selves the cameras may not show. Genuine content and connection is very important to me. The fact that they trust me in giving of their time makes me feel very good.
Here’s what the goddess Asa Soltan Rahmati had to say about loosing her private life to reality TV, the difference between becoming a pop star and PPP – Persian Pop Priestess and how equality and human rights are very important to her! With the whirlwind networking of social giant Twitter, we’ve become fast friends! She encourages her fans to follow her on Twitter @AsaSoltan for updates and current news!
Steven Michael – Thanks so very much for doing this, both the Q/A and the Picture Me Happy charity benefit on May 20 at ACE Hotel Swim Club. Founder Tim Courtney is so looking forward to seeing you and Reza. Glad it’s worked out that you will be involved, too! Are you excited?!
A$A Soltan Rahmati – I just watched the Picture Me Happy video on YouTube and I am thrilled to support and be part of it!
I’ve been checking out your iTunes page of music. Loving it very much. Especially “Diamond Water.” The groove is very my feeling. How hard has it been to stay true to your culture in the process of becoming a pop star and not conform? We saw a bit of your struggle on the show.
I’m a PPP- Persian Pop Priestess and a Gypsy Jetsetter, so I stay true to my personal culture 100%. The world raised me and I’m a universal being. While laying new ground for Persianity, I very much am a citizen of the world and know that other international gypsies feel my movement.
’Diamond Water’ is very close to my heart. Am sooo jazzed about shooting the video for it this summer. Am also working on actually bottling my Diamond Water… because everywhere I go, people ask me for it.
Give me a glass of it! I love anything where bling is involved! However, I do have one question to ask. And I really need your answer on this. Whatchu know about gold? I had to go there! The song’s main chorus hook was in my head all evening! Does that describe your lifestyle? “GOLD” your newest track, right?
TALA!!! Hahaha… Actually ‘GOLD’ is the very first song I every made. I just never released it. Recently we shot and premiered the music video for it. The feedback I’ve gotten from it has been so amazing. I’ve always had lots of gold around me since I was a little girl. In Iran, for birthdays we used to get a gold bangle from family… and that adds up you know. The epic Persianity summer jam ‘Tehrangeles’ is my newest track.
Your music seems to find many rhythms and beats which is very refreshing. It has many unique sounds to it but it does stay very true to your Persian culture. I’m digging it! How do you like Palm Springs? Do you make it down often and what parts of the desert do you simply adore?
I love Palm Springs. Mid-century modern architecture, desert, palm trees, kaftans, gold, and pools… my kinda scene. Growing up in L.A., I’ve been coming to this lovely desert dream since I was a teenager. Plus I was born in a small desert town in Iran, so I have a very special relationship with the sun and the springs.
When the cameras and lights are off and viewers aren’t gawking into your life that’s displayed on TV, what is Asa doing and wearing? Do you ever have down time that is pure relaxation without the need of image control and angles, if you know what I mean?
Absolutely. I DO ME, on or off camera! When we’re not shooting, I’m creating, whether it’s music, videos, paintings, installations, traveling and taking photos, visiting distant bazaars finding treasures, BBQing with my family, biking to the beach, dancing, hitting up the farmers market and cooking up a storm, writing, reading, learning new stuff.
We have to keep going with our creativity or simply shrivel up and not exist. That’s me, too! I’ve always got something on the burner trying to happen. What’s the biggest challenge about shooting reality TV? I’d imagine it would be privacy. I’d die not having music playing everywhere.
Yea the music thing was a big one for me. It made me realize that my life ALWAYS has a soundtrack. Privacy is also tuff because not everyone in your life wants to be on TV.
Do you realize you have a growing gay fan base? People are very excited to meet you at Picture Me Happy’s benefit on May 20. I bet you turn the heads of both men and women more than you know! You and costar Reza Farahan on Bravo TVs Shahs of Sunset seem to have a great bond! We really do enjoy watching the show!
I’ve always had very, very close friends who are gay. And being an artist and living ‘outside the box’ always, I’ve been very curious and active about gay rights. A few years ago my mom and I went to a conference at UCLA about gay refugees from Iran and being a political refugee myself I completely felt the pain. There were lawyers present who represent gay men and women who fled Iran and sought asylum here. There is so much violence against homosexuals in the world. I am perplexed and disgusted that in the year 2012 we are still talking about gay rights, which by the way in my point of view is a HUMAN rights issue. Reza is my boi, LOVE him. We have so much fun together and a beautiful connection.
Beauty and brains, my love! You’re stunning for this. Asa, THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! I’m so sorry I’m going to be away visiting my Mom in Tennessee during the event and will be missing meeting you in person. Thrilled we could do this for my blog and for promotion for Splash into Summer Bash at ACE Hotel Swim Club for Picture Me Happy beforehand. Best luck with the music and Shahs of Sunset!
Have a great time with your Mom, Steven!
Much Love to you.
For more Asa Soltan Rahmati check out this gem of a blog find on the wonderful Tamara Tattles. The posting is very in-depth and her juicy website gives quite the grease when it it comes to everything reality TV. No Tea – No Shade. It’s the One.




















