Asia Studios > Linda Wang Interview

Linda Wang Exclusive Interview

ASTYLE: First of all, what advice do you want to give our young viewers who want to be in acting?

Linda: Well let's put it this way. If you're in this business and you want to be a star, then you're in the wrong business. You have to love what you do because if all you want is just being a 'celebrity'? Then, don't bother because there can be a lot of disappointment and rejection unless you're on the map, and you have to go through auditions. Definitely, for any typical professional actor in New York, you could go through hundreds of auditions and might not necessarily even get one booking. So, I myself appreciate every single job I do.

ASTYLE: When you came out of school, what did you first do?

Linda: I went up to Boston. I think I did a Xerox industrial film over there and a couple of commercials. I think one was for Fleet Bank. That was many years ago but I don't go there anymore, I'm getting a little lazy nowadays. I remembered somebody like an agent would call me. I was more interested in saving money (As a teenager) so I would take a Greyhound not Amtrak and go all the way up to Boston and down to Philadelphia. I even traveled down to Florida. There has to be a passion (For being an actor) You gotta love what you do. I mean, I took a bus to Florida (laughs).

Linda: Well, I was born in Taipei, Taiwan. I don't consider myself Taiwanese. I think we're all from China. I do consider myself as a Chinese-American. My memories in Taiwan are wonderful so far. When I was a little girl my mother would bring my brother and I to visit my grandparents in the mountains (Young-Ming Mountain) on the outer skirts of Taipei. At nights, my grandmother would take my brother and I to the streets (The town of Tze-Ling.) There are a lot of little food stands all lined up together. You'll see a lot of dishes within each stand. They were quite delicious, quite special, because you can't find them over here. Whereas New York, I was raised in NY. I think New York is a city that changes with the seasons. You can spread your wings over here.

Linda: I like all seasons, I mean what is so great about New York is that you can actually feel all four seasons. There are so many things to do in New York, like if you want to visit a museum, you can also go shopping, and if you are a shopaholic this is the place to be. And to me what is also so interesting about New York, is that you could be rich or poor, it doesn't matter. We all take the subways together. Isn't that true? And on a subway train you see all types of people, all from different ethnic backgrounds. To me, that is special. As for California, it's a brand new territory for me and currently I'm still exploring it. I've been back and forth traveling from New York to California for two years now. What is special about LA in particularly is it's more laid back and people are much more friendly. Even several months ago this is what I discovered; you jaywalk and cars will stop and line up for you there. While in New York, they will honk at you (laughs). The weather is beautiful up there and I'm more relaxed there. While in New York, I tend to be a bit more tense so those are the feelings I have for these different places.

ASTYLE: What are you doing in New York now?

Linda: I'm in New York visiting family and friends. I'm also working on a few projects and here doing this interview.

ASTYLE: Are you in any future projects that you are interested in sharing?

Linda: The name of the script is "Bai Toi." "Bai Toi" is a derogatory term in Vietnamese, and it means "ugly American." The story line itself is about the Vietnam War from an African-American point of view, which is kind of interesting. It's also about relationships; relationships between enemies and heroes, relationships between men and women, Amer-Asian offsprings (war babies) and their Asian mother and African-American father. The director and the writer of film are interested in casting me with the role of Keung. Keung is a young Vietnamese woman who fell madly in love with an African-American journalist. So far the film is in preproduction. The deal itself has not been finalized yet, and when I do have a more solid answer, I will definitely let you know more about it.

ASTYLE: Where will this be filmed?

Linda: I was told that it was going to be in Saigon and also in Brooklyn, New York. But I did informed the producer and the director that 'if you're having problems, you could go to the Philippines' (smiles).

ASTYLE: Your latest film "Birds of Passage" was filmed in the Philippines. The film has been surrounded by controversy.

Linda: In 1998, "Birds of Passage" was released in Europe. Soon it is going to be released in Asia, but not in China unfortunately. I don't know about the U.S. market yet. They have different versions.

ASTYLE: Have you seen the movie since its original release? Does it seem like a long time ago?

Linda: I've only seen the film no more than twice. The last time was for the editing, the clips. It brought back a lot of memories.

ASTYLE: You have said that during the filming, it was a time of discovery and revelation. You play the character of a young pregnant woman. In what ways are or like or not like her?

Linda: First of all, the story line and also the time frame of the film "Birds of Passage" was set back in the 60's, so I think the character Fu, she definitely was way before her time, 40 years at least. I think Fu is an independent, strong, courageous person who is not afraid to stand up for her rights. In that sense, I can definitely relate, and I also think Fu is a great role model for any one of any age. And so those are what my feelings towards Fu.

ASTYLE: The director said you were too skinny for the character you played and that you needed to pack on weight. What did you do to pack on the weight?

Linda: (smiles and looks away) Initially, yes I was advised by the director to gain a certain amount of weight because at the time I was working on the soap opera, and I was definitely underweight. I was eating like non-stop. Seriously, everything, anything there is, and I didn't realize that gaining weight is that difficult. For most women, we think it's hard losing the weight. To me, it is actually more difficult gaining the weight. As for losing the weight for the film, I gained 15 lbs. prior to the initial filming as I arrived in Cebu, Philippines. Right after the 2nd week, I lost close to 18 to 20 lbs. This was due to the weather of course, because it was very humid and hot. I think the temp was ranging from 95 to 105 degrees every single day, and on top of that as part of my character, (laughs) they put big fat plastic stomach and wrapped around my waist (laughs) for long strenuous hours. As part of my costume, wardrobe provided a traditional Chinese winter overcoat called 'Chi Pou,' so with the overcoat along with stomach, I really felt like a big fat thanksgiving turkey baked in oven. And that's exactly how I felt like. And with the movement and everything, people were all making fun of me. And that's how I felt.

ASTYLE: In preparation for this role, you actually lived with a pregnant friend. What was that like?

Linda: (laughs) Since I never had a child before, in order to portray my character more truthfully, thank God! I had one of my best friends. She was pregnant with her first child. You want to know the honest truth? I was asking her 21 different questions within 5 minutes and she was changing 21 different emotions within 5 min. (laughs) but she told me this, later on she was saying, 'You know all those emotions, hormones, ordeals, pains, the sufferings you go through during the 9-10 months during your pregnancy? Everything just goes away the minute, the very first time you hold your child for the first time in your hands. It's something very hard to describe unless you yourself went through it. I don't know... and I always wonder if I'd ever have the courage to go through childbirth. And also, I gained the appreciation and respect for my mother even more after this experience.

ASTYLE: Did you learn any valuable advice?

Linda: She said, 'Linda, you have to do it at least once in your lifetime. It's one of those experiences you have to go through. I'll wait for now (laughs).

ASTYLE: You were once quoted, "Working on this project for me was an experience of a life time. Nothing can really shock me any more and this is coming from someone that was raised in New York City! I have learned so much from this project not only as an actor but also as a human being." What has been most shocking thing that's happened to you?

Linda: Since I'm in New York and growing up in New York, there was this one particular incident that did happen to me, it happened a long time ago, and not until today…(She took a deep breath) Every time I do think about it, it still devastates me. I think it was during the first year of high school. A dear friend of mine was kidnapped - true story. She was missing for the longest time, kidnapped by Asian gang members within New York. The FBI and police were at the time investigating it. There were posters in Queens. I mean they (Posters) were everywhere - even in Chinatown too. People were looking all over for her. She was missing for closed to 2 months, and her father received some kind of phone call. They (Kidnappers) were demanding a certain amount of money. They came from a wealthy family from Hong Kong, but the father could not come up with the money in time. I remember that day; this is how I discovered it. It was a Saturday morning, no school. I turned on the television to watch the morning news and I wasn't paying any attention to the screen but somehow I heard her name and immediately I went over to the television and there was this image, a black body bag rolling onto an ambulance (tears).

Linda: (continued) The victim was found in long island shot twice in the head, four times in the torso. The execution was at close range and I just froze. I was unable to go to school for the longest time. This was someone I grew up with, someone who had stayed over my house. She was one of my best friends. So that was very shocking. It still shocks me and it stills angers me as to what happened to her. She was such a nice girl. Later on in the year, all 17 gang members were later arrested, majority of them are in jail for life. That's not justice though, since you're never going to bring her back. So that was something that was quite shocking and quite personal to me, and I haven't talked about it in a longest time. And I would like to send out a message out to young people out there, you know. 'Do something that benefits you.' Those people [Kidnappers] What do they get out of it? For what? They're in jail you know, what do they get out of it? and that's one thing that was very traumatic and horrible that happened to me in New York, so that's why I made that statement. I felt nothing could ever shock me anymore you know coming from New York and raised in New York and all. When I was in Philippines one day, this has to do with the film "Birds of Passage," originally the director of the film and producer warned at least to me that we will be working under dangerous and long strenuous hours, 75% of the film are shot on a large cargo ship. They asked if it was okay with me? Sure, I was like 'I'm from New York.' When I got there, with in the script you see several storm scenes and artificial rains. The director had worked on many documentary films in Europe, so to him everything had to be authentic. What I found out later on was they were chasing real typhoons, a type of hurricane rain storms during the hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean in Asia, during the filming. The ship was actually lost at one point. The captain, I think that was a mistake, had announced that there is something wrong with the radio transmitter and that we couldn't reach the mainland. So that created panics and on top of it, there was a horrible rainstorm out there. I remembered people were running from one part of ship to the other and I was in my room hiding. Then, there was a flood. Water within my room was 2 to 3 inches high with in the room, and you see large flying cockroaches and rats and small cockroaches swimming in the room. Also, all the furniture was shifting around the room, like beds, I am not talking about small stuff. On top of that, I was sick to my stomach and throwing up. Everybody else was throwing up and getting seasick. There was this Filipino woman working on ship getting sick. She was crying and screaming on top of her lungs nonstop in shock. I was there (In the room) by myself and what I did was I took myself along with the makeup artist, her (Filipino woman), and other crew members and went to the lower deck of the ship. And on our way going there, the ship was on fire! Only because you had to pass by the laundry room (Where the fire was.) Finally, they (Crew members) put out the fire. All of us, we all bundled up at the lower deck, we all held hands together prying to what ever God we believe in. We were definitely in fear for our lives, well at least I was. I was very grateful when it all ended and I never had this type of fear in my whole life. If you actually opened the window to see the massive sea, it's very scary to see what Mother Nature could create.

ASTYLE: You seem to have tremendous for compassion for others. Whether it is sending out a positive message to younger children, your involvement with charities, or holding hands with the other frightened women on the stormy ship.

Linda: I think that children are definitely our future. I am just speaking for myself. I think that there are a lot of children out there that don't appreciate what they have. Especially here, some American children don't appreciate, they don't realize that there are a lot of the children out there (Like the Philippines) who are unable to go to school and they are at an age range where they can go, but lots of them who have to work to support not only their family but themselves. I don't know if I should get into this. I was advised not to talk about it, but I want to talk about it. What I witnessed. One of the Filipino costume designers had invited me to go to a grand opening of a nightclub, so I got all dressed up, and got off a cab on a busy street. Along a strip, there are beer houses, restaurants, and nightclubs. Over there was something that I witnessed, quite disturbing, and actually disgusted by it. There were foreign older men picking up people. They were children, girls and boys. They didn't look more that 14-15 years old. I don't know whether or not that is legal or illegal, I certainly didn't see any police around. I really do wish countries and governments like the Philippines could do something about it (Child Prostitution.) This is really a terrible social issue. That is the message I wanted to deliver

ASTYLE: What do you think about first when it comes to love or romance?

Linda: (laughs) My parents, they've been married for a little over 30 years. Just the other day, I went out to dinner with them and on our way going to the restaurant my father was in driver's seat, my mother was at the front passenger seat, and I was tagging along in the back. At the corner of my eye, I saw my father place his hands on top of my mother's, and then he took her hand while driving and placed her hand on top of his chest. To me that is romantic.

ASTYLE: You have done commercial work for Pantene Shampoo. Have you always had such lustrous hair?

Linda: You should see me in the morning (laughs). I've always had long hair the majority of my life time.

ASTYLE: You ever had a bad haircut?

Linda: Funny thing that you ask me because you're looking at it right now. I had 3 ½ inches taken off. He went scissor crazy (laughs).

ASTYLE: Speaking of a bad hair days, you caught lice while shooting in the Philippines? How did you take care of that?

Linda: In the beginning, I didn't even know I had lice in my hair. My scalp was itchy. I know that I had a rash in my scalp. I thought it was due to the weather to be honest with you. But, one of the hair stylists, he was combing through my hair and he goes, "Oh my gosh, Linda you have lice in your hair," and I was like "What?!?" The next thing you know, the hairstylist, the makeup artist, some of the children, and mothers, you see all 6 pairs of hands running through my head and trying to pick out the lice. It's not just the lice itself - let's no go into details … It's the eggs. The film crew, they went out to the Ayala Mall to purchase some kind of lice treatment hair shampoo. It actually smelled like alcohol. I had to put it on my hair and I used it every single day and thank God, it eventually went away, the rash and whatever was on my scalp.

ASTYLE: Are there any celebrities that you find have beautiful hair?

Linda: Well, I prefer brunettes to blonds anyway, so I think Shania Twain has really nice hair.

ASTYLE: Do you pamper yourself? What do you do to take care of self?

Linda: (laughs) I enjoy a steamy hot bubble bath. That I enjoy.

ASTYLE: Do you prefer foot rub or back rub?

Linda: I like them both. It's hard to choose. I guess a back rub.

ASTYLE: When did you first feel like a celebrity?

Linda: Celebrity, umm…(laughs) I didn't even know I was one now!

ASTYLE: Does your family treat you any differently?

Linda: Absolutely not! My family has never treated me any differently. I rather be a working actor or a very quiet person. That's how I'm going to answer your question

ASTYLE: Do have a most prized possession?

Linda: It would be my friendship with my best friend for over 20 years, but then again if you're talking about an object, it would definitely be a watch that was given to me by late grandmother. Although the watch itself doesn't work anymore, it holds lots of sentimental value. It was given as wedding gift during WWII by my late grandfather, and also because I love my grandmother so much. That's my most prized possessions.

ASTYLE: What kind of music do you listen to?

Linda: I listen to all types of music. A while back I was actually into Enigma. I also enjoy Sting because he is very talented and definitely sexy.

ASTYLE: What do you hope the future holds for you?

Linda: We all want to be positive. I wish that all my loved ones are healthy and remain happy because health is important and happiness is definitely important, because not everyone is happy. I guess that's it!