BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. — A dozen years after graduating from Woodward Middle School on Bainbridge Island, Anisa Ashabi has returned to bring the world she created in the novel "Finding Chaz" to a streaming service near you.
"It's definitely a pinch me moment," Ashabi said. "First of all to see my name as executive producer on a slate is literally like a dream come true. I think if you would've told me even a year ago I would've freaked out and not believed you."
We first met Ashabi five years ago, when the Washington State graduate interned on our show. She went out on stories with us and came up with story ideas for our show. She pitched a pumpkin pie story that went viral and became more confident as her year with us continued.
"That was definitely a moment when I realized I enjoyed having my work seen by the wider population, and it inspired me to keep writing and ultimately seek publishing a book," she said.
That book is "Finding Chaz," a young adult novel based loosely on her own experiences growing up on Bainbridge Island.
"It follows the story of Roxy Nazari, who is a 15-year-old girl at odds with Chaz Humbert, a sexually harassing creep that maybe has a little bit more to him than we all realize at first," Ashabi said.
"Anisa wrote something very fun I can play in," said Bryson Robinson, the actor who plays the title character. "I hope not to the same degree, but there are people like Chaz Humbert."
Emily David plays Roxie, the spunky character most like Ashabi herself. Her best friend Hanna is played by social media star Alyssa McKay. The Portland, Oregon native has 10 million TikTok followers getting daily updates from the set.
"They are ecstatic," McKay said. " I am convinced that this is going to be a hit!"
Director Andrew Taylor was drawn to Ashabi's highly-rated script.
"It's this really sociological take on issues that are pressing in our era," he said.
As executive producer, Ashabi works around the clock. She's betting on herself and the team she hired to turn "Finding Chaz" into a a series.
"Yeah, sleep is not on the table currently for me but it's OK," she said. " I'm having the best days of my life and I couldn't be more grateful to be here."
We felt like we were watching somebody's dream come true.
"You are!" Ashabi said with a big laugh.
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