Hi Jackie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got my first big break in acting at 17 years old in the film Freedom Writers. Many people may recognize me as the tough Asian girl serving severe face to Hilary Swank! From there, I continued acting for five more years doing television and theatre. Then, as I was growing into my twenties, I realized I needed to step away from the insulated world of acting and just live life. I needed to step away from the constant auditioning and acting classes and get real-life experiences because I felt that my creative life was hitting a wall. Once I stepped away from acting, my creativity continued to blossom in many other ways. I always loved fashion, so I created an accessory line called Jackie Donut and went to fashion school in NYC at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
I also began an amateur Muay Thai fighting journey, as well as started production assisting and styling music video and photo shoots. Yes, that sounds like a whirlwind, and in many ways it was. But it all took many years and that is the condensed version of my creative journey. And guess what, after all that, I’m back into acting! Basically, creativity is like a snake– you have to allow it to slither and traverse in all different areas and facets of your life to truly grow into the artist you were meant to be. It sounds cliche, but it really does all come together as time goes on. Currently, I’m back in my hometown of LA, wardrobe styling, acting, and making clothes. I’m doing all the things that make me happy.
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?
No, it has definitely been a bumpy road! From childhood trauma to a laundry list of disappointments from the constant rejection in acting, to projects falling through, finances running low, racism and the general anxiety of ‘WHAT IS MY LIFE!?’. I think it’s very fair and accurate to say that every single thing that I love to do and continue to do to this day I totally sucked at or had a crazy start at but continued to weather the storm out of stubbornness and got really good!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an actress, I have grown into my comedy chops. I grew up doing mostly dramatic work, but as time has gone on, my quirks have taught me that comedy is something I love to do and specialize in. As a fashion designer, I am obsessed with bold patterns and color blocking. I also love unique textiles. So I think what sets the clothing I make apart from others is they will be eccentric pieces with a sense of humor.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Hit me on IG baby! @jackie__ngan or email me at jackiengan1126@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Email: jackiengan1126@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackie__ngan/
