Gemma Chan Quotes

I did model for a little while part-time, but I wasn't a bloody model, and I am definitely not that horrible thing 'model-turned-actress.'

For some reason, I don't like the term 'model-turned-actress' - which is what I am, essentially.

I modeled for 4 years before I felt like I had my big break.

I've wanted to do some sort of acting stuff down the line, but modeling is a good way to get comfortable in front of the camera.

In the beginning, I didn't know if I was still a model, if I was an actress. I knew I wanted to be an actress, but it was so difficult to be believed.

It's a good time for me, but it's only recently I've become comfortable in my job. At the start, it's hard having the nerve to call yourself an actor, let alone doing it. I gave myself two years after drama school, and if I didn't make it, then I'd give it up.

I don't think I'm misunderstood, but there is definitely a certain side of me that the press focuses on - my body, my hair, or who I'm dating - which has never really served me as an actor. It's served me in the commercial world, making money as a model, but the media perception has really hindered my acting career.

You can't be a model at age 60, but you certainly can be an actress.

I feel I've made the transition from model to actress, but I'm not that secure about it. Lauren Hutton, Jennifer O'Neill - we all know that a few films don't mean all that much.

Of course there are some models who are not good, but it has been proven that some models can act. Look at Kim Basinger, Sharon Stone or Andie MacDowell, who were all models - they are really fantastic actresses.

I'm not sure people even think of me as an actor at all.

It was really unusual to go from being in university for four years to all of a sudden acting every day. I'd never been able to do it exclusively like that. It was always sort of like my secret thing that I did privately.

I think being on 'Weeds,' in general, makes it hard to think of me as Nemo anymore.

I actually wanted to become a model agent, and went into what ended up becoming my first agency for a job interview. They ended up suggesting I model instead. I guess I sort of fell into it.

I began as a model, but that did not really hold my interest for too long! I believe I stood out from the parade of models trying to make it in Hollywood, which helped launch my career beyond the one-night-stand horror movie.

People call me a 'model-actress,' when I just never started with that... it's not my story.

I don't see myself doing catalog shoots in Madrid anymore like I was doing two years ago. I hope that the acting side of things grows.

One day I was in school, and the next I was acting opposite Jeremy Irons. That's how quickly it happened. I was in class and then working with Sir Anthony Hopkins.

I never thought about acting before I started modeling, but since then I've been in short films and music videos, and I got interested. It felt natural to switch over.

What people want to know is, OK, what's after modeling? It's not just OK anymore to model until you're 25 and then stop and be a housewife.

When you have to do all the more crappy jobs before, you appreciate all the good work that comes out of that. There are many girls who immediately have a top model career, and there are lots of models who are doing things that aren't as exciting as doing big campaigns and beautiful magazines.

I started as a model in Holland and Chanel took me to New York when I was 19, after which I decided to stay.

Modeling can be a bit brain damaging. Starting my own brand was what I needed to do. I only model if there are such good jobs that you don't want to say no to. All that dressing up makes me say, 'What do I want to wear?' and, 'What do I want to do with Topshop?' It all kind of leads into the other things.

What I've been noticing is people coming up to me and going, 'Are you an actor?' which is cool. That's ultimately what I want.

I was lucky enough to get a very good agent at the age of 15, and got my first film when I was 16, so it's been rolling on since then.