Early career (1997–2009)

As a student of 16, while majoring in Art History and Dance, and with no plans of being an actress,^[4] Anapau was discovered by a talent agent and encouraged to audition for the 1997 film Escape from Atlantis (1997), which filmed in Anapau's native Hawaii. She landed the role of Katriana in the production and at the request of the film's director, Strathford Hamilton, she relocated to Los Angeles where she pursued more work, ultimately continuing to work steadily across theater, film, and television.^[1]

Over the next few years, Anapau appeared in numerous productions, including the films Madison, the comedy 100 Girls, and The Opposite Sex, as well as TV series General Hospital and Once and Again.

At age 20, Anapau joined the girl group "3G's" and they landed a recording contract with Hollywood Records and they spent the better part of a year recording an album and opening for Destiny's Child^[5] on MTV's TRL Tour.

Anapau starred in the 2005 thriller Cursed, then appeared in the independent feature Self Medicated. She also starred as Cassidy Merteuil in Cruel Intentions 3. During this time, Anapau guest starred and recurred on many television series, including House, M.D., CSI:NY, Monk, Without A Trace, and Knight Rider.

Anapau also starred opposite comedian Dane Cook in the Sony Television produced pilot, Cooked.^[6]

Recent work (2009–present)

In 2009, Anapau was cast in Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky. "Darren is a genius whose focus and discipline on set is contagious", Anapau said in an interview, reflecting on her work in the 2010 film. "To say that working on Black Swan was inspiring would be an understatement."^[7]

Anapau then completed several independent films including The Speak and the paranormal thriller 5 Souls, which she also co-produced. She appeared on an episode of the AMC series The Glades and then went on to land the role of faerie, Maurella, in HBO's hit series, True Blood, appearing in five episodes over the fourth and fifth seasons.

In 2012, Anapau appeared on the NBC show Grimm, where she played "Megan Marston, a quiet, sheepish secretary working at a Wesen church who is actually a sheep-like creature dubbed a Seelengut".^[8]

Anapau starred as Theresa in the 2014 paranormal feature Altergeist (aka Sighting).^[9]

Anapau says she enjoys working in film and television equally, saying they have their "respective pleasures and challenges" and simply looks "for content that inspires me and hopefully elevates the world in some way—films have a track record of best fulfilling both the previous and the later, but there are some really incredible television shows out there that are doing the same. There is a lot of freedom to cross back and forth within the industry now."^[10]

Film

Television