Don’t get so caught up with the facade of LA because it’s not real. If you’re too worried about what people think of you all the time, you lose sight of your purpose and possibly yourself. I wish someone told me that I should live a little more, make time for loved ones. My first two years in LA, I would miss family events because I was so focused on work. Those events I missed are times that I cannot get back. You’ll end up with a lot more regret than anything else if you forget about the important stuff (friends, family), too.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jenny Katrina, an (up and coming) young actress from Orange County we should all keep an eye out for!

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Most definitely! When I was a little girl, like most children, all I ever watched was Barney and Friends. At 12:00 pm every noon after daycare, I was geared up ready to sing and dance with our favorite purple dinosaur! Needless to say I was always a little entertainer! However, I did not see those like myself represented in television so I wanted to be that face for other people like me. Asian-Americans are often overlooked & underrepresented, so why couldn’t I be the one to change the culture of the entertainment industry and pave the way for others like myself who wouldn’t have the opportunity otherwise.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Interesting is to say the least, there has been such a myriad of events and emotions whilst pursing this. I had the opportunity to work with several idols that I grew up watching and looked up to. I got to attend the Oscars and other prospects such as attending a women’s empowerment convention and also be a part of teen-vogue hosted events. It has opened up a lot of doors I’ve only dreamt of having.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Not sure if it is on the funny side, but one of my first auditions … I was going in for the role of a cheerleader and sure enough I full on showed up in my high school cheer uniform haha — so no props, definitely no props.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

oOOOo, thats is a fun one! I’m currently teamed up with a few names in pre production right now to create a meaty substantial project that we believe will touch audiences in every way. I can’t wait to see it come to fruition and talk about it some more once we get the ‘a-ok’ : )

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

One word, live. What I’ve noticed amongst artists is that we forget to live in the midst of it all. We’re so focused on work work work that we often times forget that this career entails human experiences. Be within reason, pick and choose who and what you give your time to, but don’t push what you love and your loved ones aside. As Drake once said, here for a good time not a long time. HAHA

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I would start a movement that would cater to women and children living in poverty without any access to healthcare/medical needs. There are a lot of things wrong with our healthcare system and sometimes, a hospital bill can put someone in eternal debt. I want to be able to give back and spread awareness of those who are less fortunate. We should focus on kindness to the world such as being involved in community service, volunteering at a local homeless shelter or to even donate clothes to the nearest salvation army.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Don’t show up in your cheer uniform to your first audition. Haha, kidding.

1. I wish someone told me that I should live a little more, make time for loved ones.

Ex. My first two years in LA, I would miss family events because I was so focused on work. Those events I missed are times that I cannot get back. You’ll end up with a lot more regret than anything else if you forget about the important stuff (friends, family), too.

2. Don’t get so caught up with the facade of LA because it’s not real. If you’re too worried about what people think of you all the time, you lose sight of your purpose and possibly yourself.

3. Stay true to yourself and your values. Don’t let social media or your peers pressure you into anything you’re not comfortable with. I’ve seen so many people give into things that were against their better judgment just to later wish they didn’t. We’re not perfect, no one is — I am far from it. But we can be aware 🙂

4. Everyone has their own race. What is for you is for you and will not be taken from you.

5. Lastly, when you are weary and feeling lost, look up to God.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.”

And this does hold dear to my experience as of now. I can let the thought of overthinking and fear of this industry as something big, scary and intangible or I can do something about it, be brave and go after what I want, to learn from my mistakes and to continue to give back to my community and those I can help any way.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Without a doubt, my parents. Coming from a third world (at the time) , they work so hard to provide for me and my siblings enabling us to pursue our passions. I can’t thank them enough and I can’t wait to give them the world 🙂

Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

Oh goodness, YES. So many. But as of right now, I would love to sit down with anyone from Michelle Obama, Jennifer Anniston, Rachel McAdams, Megan Markle, Priyanka Chopra, Denzel Washington, Marlene King, there are just so many!

How can our readers follow you on social media?

I have instagram, my handle is @itsjennykatrina

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!

Actress Jenny Katrina: “Don’t get so caught up with the facade of LA because it’s not real” was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.