Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Wu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born in Taiwan, I moved to Ohio where I started dancing and ice skating. I began designing my own competition dresses and my mom would make them. When I was ten, I moved to San Jose, CA where I started learning Wushu Martial Arts and Hip Hop, joining Future Shock SJ. My mom and I created costumes for performances for the community such as the D.A.R.E program and fundraisers for Stanford research programs. I competed at Berkeley International Martial Arts competition where I won first in Wushu Jianshu (straight sword).
In 2009, I competed in Miss Asia West Coast and was crowned First Princess & Miss Talent for my Taichi/Wushu Sword performance. Then, I attended UCLA and was the artistic director of Samahang Modern, UCLA’s professional dance troupe, competing at World of Dance. I also was a part of UCLA’s Wushu team and won gold in Wushu Spear at collegiates competition in 2010. I graduated with a BA in Sociology and Theatre Minor.
After graduating, I started my own floral company, Flower People LA, meanwhile dancing and performing Wushu in music videos (Flames by David Guetta ft. Sia & Danny Trejo, Brave by Gladiator ft. Mothica). I studied at Speiser Sturges Acting Studio and shot my first lead role in Dark Legacy, a star wars fan film.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s an extraordinary time where we are seeing stories from more diverse perspectives. I’m excited to see more AAPI lead roles.
Some challenges: Often, the work you put in sometimes you will never get to see/receive footage. I’ve learned from years of filming that sometimes you just have to create your own content to create more opportunities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Actress, Wushu Martial Artist (sword/spear), Pole Aerial Artist.
Gia in The Family Business Season 3 on BET+, Kia in Dark Legacy Star Wars, Isa (AI) in Counterfeit Mind,
Crime CHII (revenge fantasy), Mountain First Drive (sci/fi).
Upcoming: Set to film in January 2022, I’m playing the role of an ancient mystic in a feature film and a lead role in a film that breaks social/racial boundaries.
I do my own stunts & fight choreography. I enjoy playing daring, edgy characters that are untamed yet electrifying. I strive to work on films that are purposeful in social change, empowering, or advocate for animal conservation/anti-cruelty.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Find a great, supportive community. (Mine is Speiser Sturges Acting Studio). You need friends to help you self-tape auditions and to help them as well! Watching their work will not only elevate you, but you may end up working with each other on set. It definitely takes a village.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.erinwu.com
- Instagram: erinwushu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erin.wu.35/
- Other: https://imdb.me/erinwu
Image Credits
Simon Needham, The Family Business, Matt Jong, Counterfeit Mind Dark Legacy, POSTER ART BY MATT ESKEW, CHARACTER PORTRAITS BY GIUSEPPE RINALDI
