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My Golden Horse Award experience was a very warm fuzzy period with the Asian press and with the Asian fans who continue to be so devoted in their support. I have read your resume and know that you have never been a fashion model. How did it feel posing instead of acting in front of a camera? If you’ve seen any photos that have been taken of me in the past, it’s pretty obvious that I love to play dress up and model. I prefer even more extreme looks because any time I can step outside my everyday persona, I think it’s just a cool change of pace. Finding poses can be technical though and that’s where I feel my acting kicks into gear. I know it’s important to fill a moment with some feeling or real connection with the camera. Since I have a background in dance, I love being able to incorporate my body but sometimes, there were poses that I thought look too technical and that’s when I have a real appreciation for models who can organically find movements the camera will love. You were born in Taiwan and raised in Virginia by your adoptive parents – your Taiwanese aunt and her husband. You were one of very few Asian Americans in your school. In the critically acclaimed film, Saving Face, in which you had your first starring role in a film, you played a lesbian who is clashing with the insular mores of traditional Asian culture. Where did you draw your inspiration? I was raised very Chinese growing up, but growing up in America means you grow up bi-culturally. At home, I felt I was Chinese but as soon as I walked out the door, I suddenly became American. Having an American father also had a huge influence on me. The clash between these two different experiences, who I am, who the world perceives me to be or who others want to perceive me as are themes dealt with in Saving Face. So, I felt I really identified with the world presented in Saving Face because it was about a young woman grappling with her own identity and how to claim it. As for the lesbian aspect, I approached the role as a woman who was falling in love for the first time. The sexuality part of the character of Wil, I felt, stemmed from her personality and not necessarily something identifiable as “lesbian.” A lot of my inspiration for Wil came from my observations of the film’s director, Alice Wu, who reminded me of the character. You received rave reviews from Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Washington Post and others for your portrayal, and were nominated for best actress at the 2005 Golden Horse Awards (the Asian equivalent of the Academy Awards). Was this movie a turning point for you? I believe the nomination was a turning point for me, emotionally. I wish I could tell you that it opened tons of doors for me in Hollywood, but the truth is that people will usually congratulate me and then ask to see my audition! The nomination meant more to me personally in terms of my artistic process than an industry accolade, because it was like receiving a giant bear hug from Asia and specifically Taiwan. I respect immensely the artistic work that is produced in Asia and I felt honored and moved when they acknowledged me and welcomed me as warmly as they did. The press also seemed to understand the challenges of trying to make it in the business, especially in Hollywood and they all kept cheering me on in my interviews. It was like we made friends and I felt intense pride for being Taiwanese. It’s a feeling difficult to describe because I had never felt that kind of support growing up in America. My Golden Horse experience was a very warm fuzzy period with the Asian press and with the Asian fans who continue to be so devoted in their support. I saw the first two episodes of Dirty Sexy Money and was disappointed that your appearance in the pilot was so brief and that you were not in the second episode. (I know that you will be in another four episodes and will look for you!). Aren’t you married to the clergyman who is so easy to dislike? If so, they need to develop your character because with a husband like that, you are bound to have a lot to say! Do you think they will? You have to keep watching, because things definitely heat up. It’s a large ensemble cast so the writers are just getting to know me. I’m married to the mean clergyman who is played by a really wonderful actor named Glen Fitzgerald. Glen and I get along really well so it’s fun to play off of him, but what happens to us as a couple is in high suspense. We are facing a pending writer’s strike so, literally, we are waiting to see where the storyline takes us! I think DSM is finding its strength as a show and being a part of this cast is nice company to be keeping, so I’m not too worried with how they choose to continue developing my story line. I had to leave in the middle of the show to shoot What Happens in Vegas..., and so I’ll be rejoining the cast later in the season. Where they decide to take the character is definitely a curiosity of mine, as well. Mei-ling is an emotionally repressed woman who needs a shopping spree and maybe a filthy immoral love affair with a New York fireman. Maybe we should suggest that to the writers? That’s dirty, sexy and money! What has been your favorite role? I just played a Siberian Inuit in Far North, a British feature, starring opposite Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon). It was an indie drama with thriller-ish aspects to it. We shot inside the Arctic Circle on all of these incredible glaciers. I have never been in such awe of my surroundings. Shooting this film and working with my director, Asif Kapadia, who strived to keep the experience as authentic as possible was a reminder of why I feel so lucky to be an actor. Asif really put us in an environment that couldn’t have been created anywhere else except in the 20 below freezing arctic and I absolutely loved it. The element I’m most drawn to is the indie director who is working solely off of his or her passion and belief in their own visions. It’s the connection with these directors that gives me the most gratifying experiences as an artist. I’m truly inspired by them and I count it a blessing when they want to work with me, as well. Working with Alice Wu in Saving Face was like that, as well as with Bill Guttentag in Nanking. You have worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Ben Stiller, Joan Chen, Drew Barrymore, Eddie Murphy, Reese Witherspoon, Anthony Hopkins, Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. Did anyone particularly impress you? I was most impressed with Joan and Cameron. These are two leading ladies who are talented and also superb people. I’m a sucker for a nice person and I’m a firm believer that you can make it in this business without having to become demonic or diva-like. Both Joan and Cameron were really giving actresses on set and they are just truly gracious about their own presence. It’s easy to meet a star and see that they are not under the influence of their own celebrity, and I think it just makes going to work so much more enjoyable. I’m there to act and focus on the work at hand, not the drama on the set. In preparation for Saving Face, you quickly elevated your proficiency in Mandarin from elementary school level to high school. In the pilot of Dirty Sexy Money, are you speaking Mandarin to your husband? If so, that is kind of a different tact for a primetime show. Is that limiting or does your character also speak English? And why did your brother-in-law in the show call you “No Fun”? “No fun” is just a nickname, because Mei-ling Hua isn’t the most fun character on the show. She’s pretty solemn in the first several episodes. The costume designer and I talked about dressing her as a kind of 50’s inspired housewife. It’s funny though, I have the shortest introduction on the show and almost everyone comments on the Mandarin and the nickname! I speak Mandarin to my husband who presumably can speak or at least understand me and I think that’s the network trying to create nuance around their relationship. I don’t think I do that bit again in another episode, but it’s cool that they did it and didn’t explain it. I think we’re at an age where we don’t have to explain every cultural reference, now. There are a lot of Asian bilingual Mandarin speakers and they don’t have accents and believe it or not, Mandarin is the number one language to study in all universities. So, I think it’s cool my husband speaks Mandarin. In the backstory of the show, my husband did missionary work in China. Hosting Travelers for a couple of years introduced you to more than 50 countries. Isn’t that kind of like being paid to go on vacation? What were your favorite countries and what did you get out of the experience? Since I wasn’t paid very much money at all, it was like vacationing! I was so young when I did it – I don’t think I was even of legal drinking age. I could have died after that show and felt like I lived a great life. I was so lucky to be exposed to so much culture at an early age that it was similar to receiving a postgraduate degree. It presented some of the hardest working conditions because we sometimes shot up to 15-plus hours a day in the heat, dust and grime of some impoverished countries trying to capture them at their best. But I was always more drawn to the exotic locales. In Ghana, I was attacked by almost fifty kids each trying to give me their address because they wanted to be sponsored to America. In India, I got off of a thirty hour travel day and drove straight to the river banks in Kerala to watch dragon boat racing and was greeted by thousands of people dressed in every color Silk Charmuese & Crinkle Chiffon Corset Dress with Sequin Neck $650 Multi-Color Precious Stones White Gold Necklace $5,995 Designer: Tamara Pogosian Multi-Color Precious Stones White Gold Bracelet $2,995 Available at tamarapogosian.com Wide Micro Pave Bracelet $7,695 Art Deco Bracelet $2,995 12 | November 2007 Round Invisible Tennis Bracelet $5,869 Available at diamondclubjewelry.com Yellow Magazine
Everything I do as an artist stems from wanting to become a stronger person with a specific voice and having something of myself to share with the world. of the rainbow. It was spectacular. In Turkey, I ate so many incredible lamb kebabs for like two dollars and learned that I couldn’t haggle for s--t! The show taught me how the rest of the world lives, to appreciate what I had in America and to see the world as a huge place with a myriad of ways to live one’s life. But our connection to each other in this world is not so wide of a divide. People, despite our differences, are more alike than different and it gives me my basis for understanding character when I work as an actor. I really grew up on that show and sometimes, when I think about that period, I feel like I won the lottery with that job. Also, I wasn’t the best host! Articulating my thoughts on camera was really nerve wracking at such a young age, but it taught me how to articulate better for interviews. What inspired you to participate in the recent documentary film Nanking about the aftermath of the fall of that city to the Japanese in 1937? The film received quite a buzz at the Sundance Film Festival this year. I had worked with the director, Bill Guttentag, on another film called Live!, which starred Eva Mendes. During the shooting of that film, Bill and I really clicked and discovered that we were both interested in the subject matter of Nanking. Bill’s also an exceptionally accomplished writer and Oscar winning documentarian, so when he asked me to play a small role in Nanking, I was really honored. It’s another example where I am pleased to be working with such a talented artist like Bill and that he reciprocates this belief. You recently returned from the Venice International Film Festival in which your film Far North was shown. Nanking was shown at Sundance and Saving Face was shown at multiple festivals. Isn’t it considered to be an honor to be shown at these festivals? Film festivals are sometimes funny things. Some films will get into a prestigious festival and you never hear about them again and then others really thrive at festivals. I can’t honestly say that I’ve “hand selected” films that I thought would be good festival films. I think the truth is that I’m figuring out who I am as an actor and I approach every role with the question of whether or not it will make me a stronger actor and if I can give the role something of myself. Luckily, I do have a good instinct for well-written films and I’ve been fortunate enough to be included in some very fine casts. The most telling moment though comes when I meet a director or a writer and I can sense the potential of the project. Generally, like-minded people are drawn together and the kind of people I’m drawn to are passionate and hard working. Silk Crepe Back Lame and Beaded Mesh Swing Dress $1,660 Designer: Loris Diran Available at lorisdiran.com Victorian Style Hanging Diamond Earrings $2,445 Available at diamondclubjewelry.com It seems that your movie career is gaining momentum. Are you focusing more on film as opposed to television? Do you have a preference? No one who is taken seriously in this business is an overnight success. Whatever momentum perceived is simply perception. I’m working diligently to become a stronger and more accomplished actor. That’s my goal. Everything I do as an artist stems from wanting to become a stronger person with a specific voice and having something of myself to share with the world. I’m in search of that in everything I do, so whatever projects allow me to do that are the ones I go after. Do you always have a project in the works? If you get a break, how do you spend free time and vacation time? I try to always keep my hand in something work related so that the lazy voice of entitlement doesn’t take over. It’s an easy pit trap to fall into living in Los Angeles. I go to New York pretty often to break up the scenery a little, ride the subway and remind myself of the real world. I travel home to see my parents when I can to make sure they are doing all right. If I can get time to actually plan a vacation, that’s a real treat. But since I travel a lot for work, sometimes, the most pleasurable thing to do is to stay at home and watch movies or go out with my boyfriend and eat really great food. Eating November 2007 | 13
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