Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with John Wusah of LA

John Wusah shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi John, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, we are missing a lot of that these days especially from our leaders. There’s a lot of selfishness/self serving people out there now a days. And I hope more people realize that integrity and honor is what sets you apart from the morally bankrupt society that we see today.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been a working actor in Hollywood for the past 9 years, born in Taiwan, raised in New York. I’ve been on my own since 15 and am blessed to pursue my dreams. But my path hasn’t been without hardships and tragedies, but I feel it’s because of them I ultimately became an artist. As they say, you don’t become one (an artist) without having stories to tell.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was doing my family’s business (fashion manufacturing) before rediscovering my passions as an artist. The world didn’t tell me anything, matter of fact the world, especially my family told me what I should be. I had to fight for what I have now become, and it has been a tumultuous path. But I’ve always believed that perseverance and an unbending will is what will ultimately bring anyone to success.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
My entire childhood, things that happened unto my person made me lose faith in a lot of things, especially what a family is supposed to be. Suicidal at 13 it was my step father who ultimately saved my life, not by doing anything extravagant. But showing me that someone cared, planting that seed of light I didn’t realize was there at the time. But it was that seed that grew into me believing that life was worthwhile again. I miss him everyday, losing him to cancer was the hardest point in my life. But his last word to me still hang on my wall as a reminder and motivation to do him proud.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I try, we all wear a mask in life. I’ve just been wearing it since I was eight. Probably what led me to acting as I’ve been doing so my entire life making people feel like everything was okay when my heart was in chaos. But after five years of therapy fixing my heart and childhood traumas. I hope my years head after 40 will be a happy one.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I feel like that’s been my entire life, growing up in an Asian household we are not exactly familiar with encouragement or words of affirmation haha. And praise is not something that I seek, it’s not why I give it my all. I give it my all because I love what I do, and it is my dream. I just want to be a better actor, a better story teller. I do get praise for my work, but I find it hard to accept because the Asian in me look for the negative more than the positive from a cultural standpoint. I’m constantly improving myself because I don’t want negative things to be said about me, but you also can’t make everyone happy so having faith in yourself is key. As my mother use to tell me “Don’t ever give someone the excuse to not want you (from a work perspective). And I’ve lived by that creed in my years in Hollywood.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://INSTAGRAM.COM/JOHNWUSAH
• Other: I try not to be infested with social media, pulls me from my focus.