Dig In Magazine Interview with
Asian American Actress,
Lynn Chen

Asian American actress Lynn Chen's most recent film, "Surrogate Valentine" (2011), directed by Dave Boyle and starring musician and actor, Goh Nakamura, premiered at SXSW Festival and was shown at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF). When I met Lynn recently at SFIAAFF, we discussed her new film and her food blog, "The Actor's Diet." Lynn is best known for her role as "Vivian Shing" in Sony Pictures Classic's feature film "Saving Face" (2004). She has also starred in "The People I've Slept With" (2009), "White on Rice" (2009), as well as acted in a number of television shows, such as "Law and Order," "NCIS: LA," "Numb3rs," and "All My Children." Her desire to combat women's body image and eating disorders that plague so many young women in the acting world and beyond has fueled her passion to blog about food and that very subject matter. Her blog, "The Actor's Diet," is her personal journal about her day-to-day life as an actress with a focus on what she eats. Her other blog, "Thick Dumpling Skin," which she co-facilitates with Lisa Lee, is a community-driven site for Asians about body image and eating disorders. I caught up with Lynn to talk more in depth about her upbringing, how she grew up surrounded by a family of musicians, the evolution of her acting career, as well as her passion for blogging. [April 16, 2011]

Dig In Magazine: Where were you born, where did you grow up? I understand that you come from a family of entertainers, what was your upbringing like?

Lynn Chen: I was born in Queens, NY and grew up in NJ. Everyone's a musician – my father founded the Kunqu Opera Society and my mother sang at The Metropolitan Opera House for over three decades. My brother has been playing guitar and singing since he was a teenager. We were going to concerts almost every weekend, and I felt most at home around other artists – I went to band camp (New England Music Camp) and loved it.

DIM: When did you first know that you wanted to act?

LC: Since I can remember remembering?

DIM: How did you get into acting?

LC: I started performing when I was five, as a member of the Children's Chorus at The Met. My mom arranged the audition, since she worked there. I sang "The Star Spangled Banner."

DIM: What was your first acting job?

LC: I was in a ballet at the NYC Opera with Rudolf Nureyev. I stood there while he danced. I had to "act" like I wasn't freaked out. I still remember him sweating like crazy.

DIM: You won the "Outstanding Newcomer Award" for your role as "Vivian Shing" in Sony Pictures Classic's feature film "Saving Face" (2004). You and your co-star, Michelle Krusiec played the first Asian American lesbian couple in an American theatrical release. In the midst of the backdrop of being raised with the more conservative values generally connected to Asian culture, how was this role of playing a lesbian challenging for you?

LC: Thankfully, not at all challenging! Growing up around the opera world, and having gay/lesbian members of our family, I never felt that playing someone homosexual would be an issue. I was also a Women's Studies major in college and embraced the idea of playing a lesbian.

DIM: How many films have you done?

LC: Counting random shorts and bit parts – about 15.

DIM: What television shows have you acted in?

LC: Almost all of the Law and Order shows (including the short-lived L&O: Trial by Jury), NCIS: LA, Numb3rs, and a nice cushy year on the ABC soap opera All My Children. My favorite TV role, unfortunately, will never be seen by the public – an unaired series for NBC called "The Single's Table" where I played John Cho's ex-wife.

DIM: A few of your films, like "Saving Face" (2004) and "The People I've Slept With" (2009) have a strong focus on love, relationships, and sexuality. What draws you to these types of films and the roles you play in them?

LC: They were opportunities to be in well-written movies and work with talented people. The themes didn't have much to do with my decision.

DIM: What types of characteristics do you look for in a film or acting role when you are choosing your next job?

LC: As I said above, I look for good writing, strong characters, and opportunities to work with people I admire. It varies from job to job. Sometimes the timing is right. Sometimes you need to make health insurance.

DIM: You've worked on films with director Dave Boyle, such as "White on Rice" (2009) and the more recent "Surrogate Valentine" (2011), a film which premiered at SXSW and was shown at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. In "Surrogate Valentine" (2011), you played musician and actor, Goh Nakamura's love interest, what was it like working on these films? And how did you like working with Dave as the films' director? How was it working opposite the very talented Goh Nakamura in "Surrogate Valentine" (2011)?

LC: I love working with Dave – I feel fortunate to have been in two of his films, because I have such respect for him. It's a nice feeling to have complete trust in your director, because working on a film can get very crazy. Goh is also an incredibly talented artist who happens to be super down-to-earth. Making movies with those guys was like hanging out with your buddies and being inspired at the same time.

DIM: What attracted you to the films that Dave Boyle has made?

LC: I love that he writes for the actor (as he did with "White on Rice" and "Surrogate Valentine") rather than trying to fit into some mold. He lets the character grow out of the performer's uniqueness.

DIM: How do you like working on films in comparison to working in television? What do you prefer?

LC: 95% of the films I've done have been low budget, so there's a lot less pressure. But the stress of the TV world is definitely worth the paycheck. It's also quicker, and that instant gratification is nice.

DIM: What do you like about working in theater? What theater performances have you acted in?

LC: I love the rehearsal process of theater, and getting immediate feedback from your audience. My favorite experience was working with The NiteStar Theater Company in NYC, where we educated students about social and sexual issues. It felt like we were directly impacting lives.

DIM: What types of film projects and television shows would you like to work on in the future?

LC: There's a long list of directors I'd like to work with (which I blogged about at the bottom of this post). I see myself well-suited for an ensemble TV drama – something about everyday people living everyday lives. And I would love to host some sort of food-related show.

DIM: So, I hear that when you're not acting you're contributing your time, energy and writing to blogging about food and healthy body image. Where can people find your blogs on the web?

LC: I have two blogs – one is my personal one, "The Actor's Diet" (www.theactorsdiet.com) about my day-to-day life as an actress with a focus on what I eat. It's really my personal journal. The other page is "Thick Dumpling Skin" (www.thickdumplingskin.com) which I co-facilitate with Lisa Lee. It's a community-driven site for Asians about body image and eating disorders.

DIM: What types of things do you blog about in terms of food and body image?

LC: I'm fascinated by our relationship with food. It used to be an intense struggle for me, as you can read about on my blog. After many years of recovery, I am finally at peace. But it's an ongoing struggle, and that's why I continue to write. I blog as therapy, and also to discover the best places to eat! I also do product reviews, which is not only informative for my readers, but a nice way to score some free food.

DIM: What made you decide to start a blog? And why do you blog about the subject matter of food and body image?

LC: I began blogging because I wanted to hold myself accountable when it came to binge eating and anorexia. I figured if I channeled my obsessive mind about food in a public forum, there would be no hiding. I certainly hoped that I would be successful and inspire others, but when I initially began I had no idea what was going to happen. I felt it was important to show that if somebody whose career depended on how they looked could come to terms with the truth – that size/weight/outer beauty isn't important- be honest with herself, fall down and make mistakes, and still persevere, then maybe that would inspire/help someone who was struggling with food as well.

DIM: What can we expect from you in the future in terms of your many film, music and web projects, and beyond?

LC: I've started dipping my toe into the filmmaking world, cultivating projects for myself rather than waiting around for opportunities. My husband and I produced a short that I star in, Via Text: www.viatextmovie.com, which is beginning its film festival run this spring. I'm currently promoting Surrogate Valentine (www.surrogatevalentine.com) and also gearing up to shoot another microbudget movie in a few weeks. There are a whole bunch of other projects that are in development – some being created for me, some I am working on myself. I'm very active on twitter and facebook so follow me there or on my blog to stay updated!

DIM: What are your dreams and goals for the future?

LC: I try not to think too much about hopes and dreams. I want to focus on what's actually happening right now, and to accept what's in front of me. To carve out the best life I can possibly live right now.