My interview with Sifu Mimi Chan
Sifu Mimi Chan and Alina Chau on the immigrant experience and Chinese calligraphy
I'm thrilled that Sifu Mini Chan has invited me to contribute to the "Make Us Visible Florida AAPI History Activity Book"! As part of the book's release celebration, Mini invited me to be a guest on her show. We had a great conversation about what it is to be a first-generation immigrant and a fun discussion on art, children's books, and comics. I hope you enjoy the episode!
Chinese calligraphy is like kung fu except it’s more internal like Tai Chi. You use your chi to control the light and dark lines of each stroke.
Did you know that Mimi Chan was the model for Disney's animated feature film, Mulan? You might have watched the movie even if you haven't heard of her. I was thrilled when I found out that she worked on Mulan. I remember watching the film over ten times when it first came out. I was studying animation at UCLA then, and it was rare to see an Asian female lead character portrayed so positively in a Hollywood movie. Although Disney's version of Mulan is a bit Americanized, the martial arts choreography is beautifully done, and the story is well told. As an international student from Hong Kong, the film gave me hope that a female Asian artist could build a career in Hollywood.
Receiving an invitation from Mimi's show feels like meeting a hero who gave me encouragement and hope.
The Sifu Mimi Chan Show covers many topics, including social issues, comics, martial arts, food, pop culture, music, film, and so much more! Since 2017, Sifu Mimi Chan, an accomplished female podcast host of color, has interviewed a diverse array of fascinating people from around the world. Some of her guests are well-known, while others are not, but they all have compelling stories to share.
Sifu Mimi Chan's interviews have explored topics such as immigration, internment camps, civil rights, Stop AAPI HATE, Black Lives Matter, leaving religious cults, and LGBTQ rights. You can check out all the cool episodes of Mimi Chan's show on her website.
I had the privilege of being interviewed by Bold Journey. We discussed artists' challenges and insecurities in their careers and how to overcome self-doubt and thrive.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most impactful qualities for a successful career in any art form, be it visual arts, performance, music, or literature, are persistence, faith, and kindness. However, the path to success in this field is often unpredictable and can feel like a roller-coaster ride. There will be disappointment, rejection, failure, and unpleasant comments. Still, there will also be moments of triumph, success, recognition, and praise.
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