#ilyimy

My Story

I was born in a city called Nanjing in the 90s, and my ancestors are from Sichuan and Hubei. At three years old, I had memorized all my fave ancient Chinese poems so I entertained strangers by reciting them whenever an opportunity arose. I also loved singing karaoke in our family-owned restaurant on the regular. Starting from that age, my mom signed me up for community piano lessons. Then, after-school English lessons.

 

My parents and I flew across the world to Burnaby, British Columbia, when I was six years old, where they enrolled me in Grade 1. I moved three more times before completing elementary, so I had to learn to be funny. After a year, my paternal grandparents moved to Canada as well. They raised me and my lil sis. We didn't have much and lived in a 2-bedroom apartment together, across from Metrotown. My mom invested in my passion for the arts and I started to dance ballet, but stopped when we moved to Langley to accommodate her new job. We lived in a basement suite that year, and my mom signed us up for a toy drive so we could celebrate Christmas together. By age 12, I'd written over 10 pop songs. In high school, in addition to enrolling in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and working part-time at Pizza Hut, I trained and performed with my concert choir, chamber choir, and senior vocal jazz group, as well as played flute and piccolo in concert band. My mom was diagnosed with depression and took a year off work. Nonetheless, I was lucky to travel across North America and compete in festivals with my school. My first time stepping into a professional studio was at Disneyland's Anaheim Heritage Festival. I was 15. Our school concert band recorded an excerpt from a Disney film score. I still remember listening back and thinking, "Wow, people get to do this for a living?" Also: "This sounds like a Disney movie!"

​

When I was 17, I obtained a student loan, moved to Vancouver to attend the University of British Columbia, and escaped the dysfunctional environment at home, which caused me a lot of stress and pain growing up. My absent biological father had left my family and there was a lot of tension. I was also tired of being told I couldn't pursue art as a career by my mom (and according to my father, I had no talent, and my singing voice was embarrassing). I started working in nightlife and film. For fun, I auditioned for a lead in my university's production of  Rocky Horror Show and, that fall, debuted as "Janet Weiss". It changed my world. I am forever grateful to the UBC Musical Theatre Troupe for my first opportunity to shine onstage.

 

From then on, I knew I wanted to create and perform for the rest of my life, to be a part of something bigger. The truth is, I didn't grow up with a role model who looked and felt like me, who could sing, dance, skateboard, play in a band, direct, lead, close deals, or do all the things I think are cool. I did those things anyway, and continue to learn from non-toxic peers and elders. I continue to work towards healing from intergenerational trauma and oppression, and provide support for others. Someday, I want my future child to look around and see well-rounded, healed, outspoken, and confident gender diverse people who represent us on TV and in movies. Underrepresented people with unique stories to tell, love in their hearts, and fire underneath our footsteps.

​

I live and work on stolen lands belonging to xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I dedicate my life to advocating for equity, nurturing community, and sharing stories whenever an opportunity arises.

​

Even though I'm disconnected from my extended family in China (due to political, language, and technology barriers), I'm grateful my work is reaching BIPOC of marginalized genders worldwide. At the end of the day, I love this rainy seaside city, and continue to do everything I can to make it inclusive and safe for everyone to thrive in. To quote the classic film High School Musical, "we're all in this together".

​

P.S. I uploaded my DNA data to WeGene and discovered I'm 12.22% Naxi/Yi ethnic minority (probably from my mom's side). I'm reconnecting with ancestors, and connecting my family's pieces together.