Young Vietnamese Actress Making An Impact in Hollywood

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The Vietnamese community can be assured that there are great things to come from the young and talented Kathy Uyen. Since her first stint with acting in the fifth grade, the 25-year-old San Jose, CA native Uyen has definitely made an impact in Hollywood with leading roles in Kieu directed by Thu Ha Vu, Skidmarks and Asian Stories Book 3 directed by Ronald Oda and Kris Chin. She also has a role in Justin Lin’s upcoming independent film Finishing the Game and has been in numerous TV commercials

Despite being destined for fame within the years to come, this American-born Vietnamese remains good-hearted and down-to-earth as she talks to Saigon Tex News.

STN: When did your family come to the United States?

Kathy: In 1979, my parents met here. My younger sister just graduated college with a degree in Psychology and Social Behavior. She is currently studying to go to graduate school for Speech Therapy. She takes the pressure of my back because my dad wouldn’t have been able to handle two actresses.

STN: Where did you go to school?

Kathy: UC Irvine where I double-majored in Film Studies (for me) and Economics (for parents).

STN: How hard was it for you to get into the film business? When did you get started?

Kathy: Very hard. I have been auditioning on and off since I was 16.. It was discouraging and frightening in the beginning, but as time went by, my confidence started growing and I became better at ignoring negative people. When you lose all shame, there’s a possibility of being good.

STN: What did you do prior to becoming an actress?

Kathy: I pursued acting pretty early on, before that my mother insisted I play piano and become a piano teacher.

STN: Who were your mentors?

Kathy: Mentors are very important. I had a friend in high school who gave me confidence and inspired me to start. Then in college, I met someone who believed in me and pushed me to achieve my first feature film. Then of course all the acting coaches I’ve studied with and the many relationships and weird conversations that has affected my imagination and creativity. And of course my parents for loving me and always wanting me to pursue my dreams.

STN: How did you family feel about your career choice?

Kathy: My parents were always supportive and endearing almost to the point of naivety. I remember my dad would take work off to drive me to auditions when I was younger. They would get hesitant here and there, but it was never forbidden but rather highly suggested that I pursue business instead. After I worked on my first film, they had hope. After two films, they kind of smiled and approved. Now after a few, they think I’m going to be a movie star!!!! They really do believe in me, and I couldn’t have done it without their support. I love them.

STN: What are your professional goals?

Kathy: I would like to start producing more, I’ve recently partnered with some friends to start a production company. I’m also toying with the ideas of getting into fashion.

STN: What kinds of genres would you prefer?

Kathy: I have been doing a lot of drama early on, but now I am leaning towards comedy. It’s so intense and emotional to do only drama. I need to laugh and be rude sometimes.

STN: Which actors/actress would you like to work with one day?

Kathy: Actresses I love and admire are Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Meryl Streep. Actors I love are Sean Penn, Orlando Bloom, Clive Owen, and Jude Law.

STN: Are you active in the Vietnamese community?

Kathy: I use to be more involved but now it’s mostly film screenings and media related events within the Vietnamese community that I attend. I also network with a lot of Vietnamese Americans in entertainment, I think it’s good to support and encourage the arts.

STN: What would be your advice for other young aspiring Vietnamese actresses?

Kathy: If you really love something, pursue it with all your heart. Acting is so competitive that you have to want it bad. You have to really like the process of acting. Study acting for awhile to see if that’s what you love (with a reasonably priced acting coach), take headshots, submit to Screen Actors Guild (SAG) franchised talent agencies. Never pay any money upfront or go to any modeling school that charges a huge amount of money upfront. Be careful in the entertainment industry. Many bad people want to capitalize on your hopes and dreams, and use that against you. .

If you are interested in viewing one of Kathy Uyen’s works, Kieu will be playing in Dallas September 16th at the Vietnamese Professional Society Film Festival.

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