Today we’d like to introduce you to Calista Wu.
Hi Calista, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I was a little girl, I knew that I wanted to be a singer and a lawyer. I don’t think anyone took me seriously or believed that I could do it, mostly because it was unheard of at the time by most people I encountered. I didn’t understand back then that there would be challenges that came with being one or the other, or both. I grew up as the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who were focused on preservation, survival, and building a new life in America. It really framed my upbringing. I tried my best to do well in school and make safe, stable career choices. But when I found my faith again after college, I realized that the dreams I had when I was a little girl were actually a sort of divine calling that I could not ignore.
I began the process of taking apart the things that I had built my identity on and stripping them away so that I could figure out who I really am and what I was born to do here on this earth with my time. Sometimes it involved making choices that didn’t make sense to my peers or my parents. I quit my management consultant job, started volunteering doing international aid, went to inner healing school, served in the church locally and globally, started ghost-writing, and then began writing songs. That’s when I recorded my first EP, The Prologue, and before it was released, I started singing, songwriting, and collaborating with other artists. Right after I released my EP in 2009, I felt called to turn down a deal I had in music and pursue law. I realized that I would return to music again in the future, but I didn’t know what that would look like. It was a very difficult decision for me, but I poured everything I had into becoming an excellent lawyer and using those skills to make a difference wherever I was placed. I kept in touch with my artist friends and entertainment community, and I supported people and projects behind the scenes. I also became very involved with a number of nonprofits and started doing what I could to raise awareness and funds for these important organizations and causes, including Hate Is A Virus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA, Apex For Youth, Liberty in North Korea, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County United Way, Mariners Church, my law school, various bar associations and legal organizations, and more.
At the end of 2020, I left the law firm life and founded Cali Star Entertainment, a multi-platform entertainment company created to inspire others to pursue possibility. I started singing and songwriting again as a recording artist because I wanted to help break barriers and increase representation for Asian American artists in music. So I bootstrapped a new music project and became the pop artist CaliStar. I debuted one year later in 2021 with my first single “Ethereal Lover,” and I’ve just released my second single “Can’t Sleep.” With each song and accompany music video, there is usually a deeper message beneath the shiny surface. That’s because there are deeper layers behind why I started the entertainment company and became a pop artist. I can’t say that my journey has been without losses or difficulties, but I am very grateful to have the opportunity to live out my purpose and to hopefully inspire others to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact along the way.
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?
There have definitely been a fair share of battles that I’ve faced, most of them privately. Those closest to me will know of some of my health battles and other personal battles that I may share more in-depth at another time when both time and space allow.
I was also in a series of car accidents that involved being rear-ended and sustaining traumatic brain injuries and post-concussion syndrome as a result. After the accidents, I lost the ability to do some of the things that I took for granted, like reading and processing information, maintaining balance and control over my movements, processing my emotions, and more. It was a scary experience because I didn’t know if I would ever recover, and it was very hard on me to rely on people for things that I prided myself on being able to do previously. Even now, sometimes I will have a hard time with something that I used to be able to do very well and get very frustrated at myself and start feeling helpless. But then I remember to give myself grace and remind myself that I don’t have to be perfect all the time.
All of my painful experiences and losses have really shaped who I am today, and they help me not take for granted the things in my life and abilities that I do have. I think the biggest battle of all has been the journey to really know who I am, see myself the way God sees me, love myself, and believe in myself and my value, not just on the outside but also deep down. I do not take lightly the privilege I have to pursue my childhood dreams of being both a singer and a lawyer, and I am grateful for all of the people, including my parents, who have helped me along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an American recording artist, attorney, and activist. As the pop artist CaliStar, I have released two singles so far, “Ethereal Lover” and “Can’t Sleep.” The first single, “Ethereal Lover,” is a dance pop song produced by Jae Chong (Solid, Aziatix, Coco Lee, Elva), and the latest single, “Can’t Sleep,” is a pop-rock song produced by Enik Lin (FYKE, Royal Pirates, Amber Liu, James Lee). The CaliStar artist logo is a unique star that is comprised of a diamond and a tear, and it represents taking pain and pressure and turning it into beauty that can be a source of inspiration for others. That message is the centerpiece underlying all CaliStar music and videos. Since debuting at the end of September 2021, I have miraculously been featured in Rolling Stone India, Mochi Magazine, VENTS Magazine, the Ones to Watch Now Watching playlist on Spotify, and more. I’m so humbled that people would believe in me. Honestly, I feel like I am just getting started. There’s so much more to unpack, and I can’t wait to release more music and reveal more of my artistry and creativity.
I am also the founder of Cali Star Entertainment, and in addition to the music project with CaliStar, we will be working on various projects to help break barriers and redefine empowerment through music, art, fashion, and community. The company logo is an alicorn, a mythical creature that is both unicorn and pegasus, which represents taking unique talents and bringing them to the next level. The goal is to create a better world by building bridges, breaking barriers, shaping culture, and inspiring others with our creative entertainment-related projects.
Currently, I am also still involved with helping nonprofit organizations and causes that I believe in. I am General Counsel, on a pro bono basis, for Hate Is A Virus, a nonprofit organization of amplifiers and mobilizers working to dismantle racism and hate. I also serve on boards and in various other leadership positions for Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA and other organizations. My hope is to continue to use to my abilities to make a positive impact in an effective way.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
As someone who is both an independent artist and a founder of a new entertainment company, I am extremely grateful for any support or new opportunities for myself (as CaliStar the pop artist and Calista Wu the songwriter) and for my company (Cali Star Entertainment). In terms of supporting my music, every like, stream, follow, or share helps. I am so thankful for the people who have mentioned me or my company on their platforms, whether it’s in interviews (like this!), magazines, livestreams, playlists, performances, events, podcasts, features, or even shoutouts.
I love creating and building, so I am always open to collaborating on projects with like-minded, purpose-driven people, particularly in the music, film/tv, podcast and media, fashion, gaming, anime, and innovative tech-driven spaces. It would be amazing to create more music with other artists, songwriters, and producers with sounds and perspectives that are different from mine. I would also love to explore collaborations in the apparel and fashion space because I view my personal style and fashion as an extension and expression of my artistry. If I can create with you, whether it’s for an anime, cartoon, fashion brand, film, tv show, video game, or an amazing cause, I will probably get excited about it. If the collaboration will help shape culture or inspire others, that would be even more incredible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.calistarentertainment.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/caliwu
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/calistarmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/calistawu
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/calistarmusic
- Other: https://linktr.ee/calistar
Image Credits:
Cali Star Entertainment, LLC
