British | Chinese Malaysian
I grew up with my Mum who lives in Malaysia but has Chinese ancestors from Fujian. As a mixed-race kid, I had to give up my Malaysian passport in order to have a British one, a choice Mum made for me so I could study here with local fees. Since the pandemic started, Malaysia has closed its borders to British nationals. I haven’t been able to see her in person. 2020 was the year I was meant to visit, it got cancelled, I haven’t been home now in 6 years.
My role models are my Mum and her best friend. My Mum is tough, she ran away from her village, where they didn’t believe in financing females to study. She created a life for herself, and me, that I wouldn’t change for the world. Her best friend helped to look after me during some periods of life when Mum had to go away for work. I can’t believe the amount of time and effort she sacrificed to raise a child that wasn’t hers. I learnt a lot of compassion from her. Growing up with my working single Mum, we would travel wherever her job would take her. I’ve lived in Malaysia, China, UK, USA, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. I’ve also travelled to a total of 45 counties.
I think I’ve grown to appreciate the insight and power to connect with others being mixed-race. I’m sure my understanding of what it means will keep evolving, especially as the world around us becomes more mixed-race. I believe worldwide education needs to be clearer about the truth of our history. I do not feel that mixed-race backgrounds are represented enough in the media. I feel the film/tv industry in the UK is starting to make wonderful changes in terms of diversity, however, diversity needs to include those who are mixed as well. I’ve recently written and directed my first short film, ‘Dress Up’. It’s about a mixed-race woman who applies for a job as a costume wearer, only to find nothing fits. I act in it across from Tim Downie (Paddington, The King’s Speech) and you can see the trailer to this on Instagram.
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