Hidden Gems: Meet Minnie Nguyen of WDA Entertainment

Today we’d like to introduce you to Minnie Nguyen.

Hi Minnie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out as a child actor in Saigon, Vietnam when I was 13. I was really fortunate to got casted as the lead role for a primetime musical television show in Vietnam back then. It was the first role in my career. In all honesty, I didn’t think and still don’t think I was that great of an actress. I strongly believe that I got the role mainly because there weren’t that many actors and actresses of my age range at the time in Vietnam. As I progressed through my career path, I slowly recognized the stories that were being told in Vietnamese cinema were often one-dimensional, outdated, and restricted. I got tired of playing the same roles: they did not feel relatable or authentic to myself or the people around me. It was interesting to witness the repetitive type of content we were putting on screens, regardless of the increased amount of open-minded filmmakers that were in the market at the time.

Growing up with international content from all around the world, I couldn’t understand why our content quality wasn’t anywhere near the global standard. With so much curiosity and stubbornness in me, my head couldn’t fathom the phrase: “that’s the way it is,” whenever this topic was brought up. Therefore, I said goodbye to my life in Vietnam to pursue a higher education in the United States. This is where my career path shifted. I found more joy learning about the crafts of filmmaking and storytelling. I knew I loved filmmaking but wasn’t sure about what I was good at, or what I genuinely enjoyed in specific. Slowly but surely, I encountered more people who were just like me: people who need guidance and companion on their way to pursue their dreams while learning about themselves and what they can offer. That’s why I started WDA Entertainment – I wanted to provide a safe platform that offers guidance and resources for the underdogs from all backgrounds who pursue art with authenticity, integrity, and quality.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road, because if it was, this article wouldn’t be as interesting to read! (laughs).

Arts isn’t something encouraged for the youths to pursue because of its instability. Growing up, no one believed I could do the things that I set out to do – even my loved ones. Sometimes people discourage you because they worry you’d fall and get hurt. Therefore, I’d say the biggest challenge for me was the process of learning how to generate a healthy amount of confidence in yourself regardless of your wins or fails. In addition, being a young woman in the entertainment industry often puts me in a position where I often have to vocalize my boundaries and scan for true intentions.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are an entertainment company based in Los Angeles, USA, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Our mission is to bring authentic stories and creative visions to life by providing international production services, artists, networks, and resources. We specialize in videography, films, A&R, and industry events.

We seek to support API artists and filmmakers; the underdogs, the hidden gems. We strive to bring them the international recognition that they truly deserve.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey would be understanding that we can’t achieve alone. I’m grateful for the good people around me. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The hardest thing is learning to appreciate and work together with others without compromising your integrity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wdaentertainment.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdaentertainment
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdaentertainment

Image Credits
Getty Images, Asian World Film Festival