Meet Larissa Lam of Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larissa Lam.

Larissa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Over the past couple of decades, my career has taken me across multiple creative and professional endeavors—singer, songwriter, filmmaker, speaker, and even CFO. It’s been a fascinating journey, and honestly, I never imagined my life turning out this way when I was growing up in Diamond Bar, California. As the only daughter of Chinese immigrants, I was expected to follow a traditional path and become a doctor like my father. But deep down, I had an undeniable desire to make an impact in the entertainment world.

When I first told my family I wanted to pursue music at the age of 16, it didn’t go over well. There was a lot of skepticism, and I rarely saw anyone who looked like me in the industry I dreamed of entering. I was told I wouldn’t be accepted in a predominantly non-Asian space. But those doubts only made me more determined. It took years to let go of the internalized shame I had about my culture and to fully embrace who I am: a proud Chinese American woman with stories and music worth sharing.

After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Business Economics, I entered the music industry as a record label executive becoming Chief Financial Officer of NSoul Records. I soon began performing with the gospel EDM group Nitro Praise, produced by legendary DJ Scott Blackwell. We toured nationally and recorded three albums before I branched out as a solo artist. Since then, I’ve released four solo albums and received recognition for songs like “I Feel Alive,” which won a Hollywood Music in Media for Best Dance Song, and “Breathing More,” which was featured in Dance Dance Revolution. I’ve collaborated with incredible producers and had the honor of performing at venues like Lincoln Center, the Dolby Theatre, and the GRAMMY Museum.

Alongside my music career, I composed for television for shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show and spent nearly a decade co-hosting national TV and radio talk shows. I also began using my platform to speak about mental health challenges—something I’ve faced personally. I launched a suicide prevention campaign centered around “I Feel Alive,” hoping it would encourage others to find joy and meaning in their lives.

Eventually, I found myself drawn to filmmaking. My documentaries Finding Cleveland and Far East Deep South explore the little-known history of Chinese families in the Mississippi Delta during the Jim Crow era. Sharing these stories has been transformative—not just for audiences, but for me as well. Far East Deep South premiered on PBS World Channel’s America ReFramed and won several honors, including a 2022 Telly Award.

Representation and diversity have always been close to my heart, especially as someone who once struggled with identity and belonging. That’s why I’m passionate about telling stories that haven’t been heard—whether through my films, my music, or my podcast Love, Discovery and Dim Sum, which I co-host with my husband, Baldwin Chiu (aka rapper Only Won). Together, we run Giant Flashlight Media and speak at schools, universities, corporations, museums, and national conferences. These speaking engagements have become a vital part of our mission to educate and inspire audiences on topics ranging from identity and immigration history to Asian American representation and cross-cultural solidarity.

Now, I’m preparing to take on a new role as an author. I recently signed a book deal to expand on the history and personal discoveries featured in Far East Deep South. I’m excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to continue creating work that empowers, educates, and connects people in meaningful ways.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a woman and someone of Asian descent, I’ve often found myself underestimated, undervalued, overlooked, and not always taken seriously—especially in industries that weren’t built with people like me in mind. Whether I was walking into a meeting as an artist, a filmmaker, or even a CFO, I often felt like I had to constantly prove that I belonged in the room. I still feel like I have to prove myself over and over again.

What’s been particularly hard is the pressure to navigate people’s gender and racial biases. It’s exhausting to have to explain or defend your own existence in spaces where your story isn’t known or valued.

Unfortunately, these challenges haven’t disappeared. I still encounter bias—sometimes in subtle ways and sometimes head-on. But I’ve learned to turn those barriers into fuel—to keep pushing forward, not just for myself, but to help open doors for the next generation. Every time someone tells me my work inspired them to embrace their identity or pursue their dreams, it reminds me why I keep going.

I don’t measure my success by how famous I am or how much money I make, but by the impact I’m having on people and the world. I want to help reframe perspectives and leave behind a legacy of work that truly matters.

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?
As mentioned, I’ve worn many creative hats over the years, but in the past several years, I’ve focused more on documentary filmmaking as a director and producer. At the same time, I’ve spent over 25 years in the music industry, and at my core, I still see myself as a songwriter, singer and performer. That’s where I feel most at home and where I believe I shine brightest.

That said, I’m incredibly grateful for the response my documentaries have received, especially Far East Deep South. The film’s impact has been both humbling and profound. It has sparked meaningful conversations, inspired audiences to uncover their own family histories, fueled efforts to incorporate this overlooked history into classrooms, and motivated people to become more engaged in advocacy. The film recently expanded its distribution to Amazon’s Prime Video, Tubi and Apple TV so more people now have the ability to watch the film in the U.S. and other countries. Watching the film broaden perceptions of American identity and history has been deeply rewarding.

I’m passionate about telling stories that amplify underrepresented voices within the Asian American experience—particularly those that challenge stereotypes and bring to light histories that have long been ignored. I’m equally drawn to stories that highlight the intersections and solidarity among different racial and cultural communities. These narratives are too often absent from mainstream media.

My next documentary, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wing?, currently in production, continues in that spirit. The film explores the remarkable life and career of Virginia Wing—a Chinese American actress and former Mississippi beauty queen now in her late 80s—while examining the broader history of stereotyping, sexism, and ageism in the entertainment industry. It’s also another story that challenges many people’s pre-conceived notions that Asians are perpetual foreigners in America.

There’s no shortage of projects and stories I want to tell. I hope I’ll get to do more projects in the future where I can fully utilize all my talents in music and film.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that might surprise people is that I’ve actually been acting longer than I’ve been singing. I started taking acting classes when I was just 7 years old and came close to signing with an agent, but my dad wasn’t too excited about the idea of me becoming a child actor. While I took a different path at the time, acting has always stayed with me. As an adult, I’ve acted in various projects and have had an agent for many years. It’s a creative outlet I continue to enjoy alongside my work in music and film.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://larissalam.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/larissalammusic
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/larissalam
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissalam/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/larissalam
• Youtube: http://youtube.com/larissalammusic
• Other: http://giantflashlight.com

Image Credits
Grammy Museum Photos by Rebecca Sapp
Other photos courtesy Larissa Lam