Leaving behind degrees in Biochemistry and Nutrition from the United States, Somi came to Britain to train as an actress and entered the industry in 2004. Though she played a series of diverse roles in award winning films like Children of Men, TV crime shows such as The Bill and Wire In the Blood and several independent films, she quickly noticed that not only were mainstream roles limited for her racial background but there was an overwhelming focus on racially stereotypical themes.
This led Somi to set up her own company, Fractured Image, in 2008 – through which she has written, directed and produced four short films that deal with stories of characters’ humanity that people of all backgrounds can relate to.
Her long-term work with people of different ages and various backgrounds in the field of community health along with her personal hatred of racial stereotyping and segregation in her industry led Somi to work with Lawrence Davies, director of Equal Justice, to formally challenge the deliberately scripted racism for laughs on BBC’s Top Gear.