PETALING JAYA: The last time FMT Lifestyle spoke with Malaysian actor Vin Chee, Covid-19 was making life tough for him and everyone else in the entertainment industry.
Now that the crisis has ebbed, what has this aspiring Hollywood star been up to? As it turns out, Chee has been busy and will be making an appearance on an Amazon Prime show starring a certain A-lister named Nicole Kidman!
“Expats”, a series based on Hong Kong author Janice Lee’s 2016 novel, is slated for release in January, and Chee is thrilled to have been involved with the project.
In a video call from Los Angeles, the 31-year-old referred to the recent months as “a rollercoaster and one hell of a ride”, revealing that while his role in “Expats” is a humble one, he is grateful for the opportunity.
As is often the case in entertainment, it’s all about knowing someone who knows someone else – which is how Chee ended up being cast in the role.
While production had already wrapped up, a series of reshoots allowed him to end up in the series; and during filming, he was able to meet the Oscar-winning Australian actress in the flesh.
“She was very nice and humble,” he recalled, “but I didn’t think she would be that tall!”
Despite this small victory, being a fledgling actor in Hollywood is no bed of roses, as Chee can attest to.
Current events have complicated matters, as productions have been stalled by the writers’ and actors’ strikes. The former ended last month, while the latter is ongoing.
Consequently, Chee has had to do odd jobs to get by, such as helping people move houses and waiting tables at restaurants.
His experience as a performing magician has also been a plus, as he has been able to take on the occasional gig at parties and other events.
Commenting on the strikes, he said: “Unless they are A-list stars, there are many working actors who aren’t able to pay bills just by acting alone.” Being part of this group, he, too, has joined the picket lines.
Still, Chee remains hopeful for his big break, and shared that he recently auditioned for a film project by the folks behind “Crazy Rich Asians”, the blockbuster in which he’d had a small role.
As for how this new project will pan out? Only time will tell.
Asked what life is like in the City of Angels, Chee said one can earn more there than in Kuala Lumpur, even though living costs in LA are much higher.
Still, he has managed to keep himself afloat, inspired by the success of other Malaysians in Hollywood such as screenwriter Adele Lim.
Which is all well and good, but here’s the all-important question: does Chee miss Malaysian food?! The answer is a resounding “yes”!
“I have been eating a lot of Malaysian food in LA, but it’s just not as good as back home in KL,” he lamented, adding that food there tends to be too salty and/or oily.
Thankfully, he plans to make a return visit home this year-end, and is looking forward to having his fill of local favourites.
Chee further confided that while he has found solidarity with the Asian community in LA, loneliness occasionally rears its head.
“I left Malaysia (after being home during the pandemic) when I was 30. Thirty is a good age to have everything stable in your life, to settle down and start a family,” he said in reflection.
Going against the grain, Chee headed to Tinseltown instead in pursuit of his dream. “Reaching Hollywood is a difficult path, but I didn’t want to give it up that easily!”
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram