Living in L.A., I was embarrassed to say that I wanted to be an actor.
I remember when I first came to Los Angeles being staggered by the range of roles open to me. These were leading parts in shiny new projects, and what always excited me was knowing there was a possibility that I could actually get these parts. I always had the impression that I had a chance.
Trying to constantly get yourself into movies is extremely stressful and sometimes just impossible.
Acting is very competitive. There are few good scripts out there and the ones that are good are very competitive. You look at your options and often times they're not too appealing.
Thank God for television. I've been able to consistently work in television even when people say, 'Oh my God, I haven't seen you since this film or that project.' At least I'm working. It's very difficult to get that next movie role. I'm grateful to have the television world accept me.
It's very hard to become an actor in film and television, you have to have such perseverance and you have to really believe that if you have any sort of talent at all, you will find work one day.
Acting is a tough business, and the percentage of people who make it is very low - it's about 1 percent.
I think everyone has different challenges as a young actress in Hollywood.
I'm an actor. My life as an actor depends on who sends me what. I'm just taking the best stuff that I can find that's sent my way, regardless of how big or little the paycheck is.
It's a tough journey as an actor in Los Angeles.
I did a little theatre work after that and the following year I got another part in a television series. Then it was almost to the end of the year before I got more work. That was coming to terms with the reality of the vocation I had chosen.
Basically, I'm living the life of an actress in L.A. And I've recently had some pretty good fortune.
When I first came to Hollywood, I could not break into movies.
I was a big fan of 'Star Trek.' But then again, you know, 'Star Trek', 'Star Wars', 'Doctor Who', I wasn't a big fan, but you know, when they ask you and they cast you and it drops in your lap, how can you say no to these franchises.
I didn't have the regular high school experience. My experiences were on sets.
In L.A., if you're an actor, your personal and professional lives are too intertwined.
I've learned that everything is a slow process in the TV and movie industry.
I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped studying. There's an abundance of roles, and all you have to do is prove to them that you are good for the role.
Once I was in L.A., I realized anyone could act. Why not give it a shot? I started going to a ton of acting classes, and I found I had a real passion for it, probably the biggest passion I've ever had in my whole life.
When you think of Hollywood, you think of the land of opportunity. I always want to have the opportunity to do things conducive to my career.
I have been offered so many parts in movies and I just think it's so outrageous as I've never really done acting or things like that.
It's a weird thing when you spend your life trying to find these great scripts and great parts. You are reading scripts, you are traveling the world, you are hassling your agent. You are trying to find that script.
As an actor, it's always been good to be working at all.
Well as I said in France I didn't get auditions, and it's very difficult to get an agent in France because they conduct the business in a strange way.
Hollywood hasn't aggressively pursued me. Neither have I aggressively pursued Hollywood.
