What keeps you busy professionally?
What's keeping me busy professionally right now is basketball, acting, and modeling. I am currently playing professional 3 on 3 (3x3) basketball for Team Los Angeles Legends. We just finished 3rd in the USA Basketball East Regional in Boston, which got us an automatic bid to play in the USA 3x Nationals. I’m very stoked about it because it is the biggest stage of USA 3x3 basketball! I'm hyped about pro 3x3 hoops because there's so much potential in the sport. It's now an Olympic sport and next season my team will be traveling internationally to play in tournaments. We're really trying to build something special and I can't wait to see it through. I have been working on honing my acting skills for the past year now and have booked my first movie called And One. It is a coming of age drama with musical elements and basketball! It’s truly a dream come true not only because its my first movie role, but also because I get to combine two of my passions. I can’t wait to get out there and start filming! Modeling has also been keeping me busy professionally. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of some really awesome shoots and campaigns. I’m always thankful for my wonderful agents at Wilhelmina. I’m really excited for a few big campaigns to come out this fall. I've been tremendously grateful lately to continue to do what I love to do and be able to make a career out of it. Work rarely feels like work and that's just the way I envisioned it when I was a kid. Oh and last but not least I have been collaborating and writing music with one of my best friends who is an actor and musician.
What makes you smile?
My family, friends, and my girlfriend make me smile the most. Also just being out on the basketball court doing what I love to do makes me smile a lot too. Oh, and sunsets of course.
What scares you the most?
What scares me the most are scary movies haha. But I’m also afraid of letting my friends and family down, I always strive to make them proud with the person that I am and the things that I do.
What/who do you attribute your success and growth?
My strong support system for sure. I have some really amazing people in my life that have helped me tremendously. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without them. Specifically my mom and dad. They’ve always supported me and the dreams that I’ve had since I was a kid. My dad is actually my individual basketball trainer and has been since I was a kid. I was lucky to grow up with a basketball guru as a dad, but we also knew how to separate when I needed him to be a dad and when I needed him to be a coach. My mom has always been there for me and always encouraged me to do what I love. She's very supportive of everything I'm doing now and is always excited when she sees me in a new modeling campaign or when I book a gig. I feel it's imperative to always keep good energy and good people around you. Especially people that push you and help elevate you.
Favorite local hangout spots:
I just moved so I'm currently on the lookout for some new favorite hangout spots. I'm definitely a foodie so I'm always looking for the best sushi or Thai food in town. You can usually find me in the gym or at the beach!
What keeps you going?
What keeps me going is my drive, my passions, and my desire to continue to build and become the best version of myself. I really enjoy putting a smile on other people's faces. I want to be in a position someday where I can start my own foundation and make an impact within the community. I'm a big believer in representation. I think it's so important for people, especially young kids to be able to see someone that looks like them in the media. I remember growing up I didn't have any superheroes, actors, or role models that I could say looked like me. Asians are the least represented on the big screen and way past the time that we should change that. I'm hopeful because we are starting to see a new wave of extremely talented Asian entertainers, artists, directors, and producers that are breaking down barriers. I aspire to be a part of that and I plan on continuing to be a good role model for the young kids that look up to me and the things that I'm doing.