Since age 14, I know what actors fear, what they like; I know how to get things out of them and I listen to them better, since I've been there.

Not very many companies go through Hawaii on their way to anywhere. San Francisco Ballet was the only company I remember, and Bolshoi, coming through Hawaii when I was younger.

The difference between me and American-born actors is that I came here with the expectation of not being treated fairly.

Since age 14, I know what actors fear, what they like; I know how to get things out of them and I listen to them better, since I've been there.

I'm more interested in...I'm more of a descendent. I'm more critical. It comes from a different place and nowadays the young people know how to make just light entertainment.

I would say it's like a meditative process, to have everything done for you every morning.

For the past few years, I was the more visible Asian performer, and I think it gave young girls a kind of role model showing it's possible to actually reach success doing movies.