We like fighters at The Home Style Directory and Ms Lucy Liu has had to overcome perhaps more barriers than others to cultivate and maintain her successful Hollywood career. 10 Questions wanted the scoop on how it all began up to the present time.
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1. Did you always want to be an actor?
I did but it was difficult in the beginning. My parents were highly educated and wanted me to follow in their footsteps to become a banker or a doctor. So initially I did not get the support from them that I needed. It was my brother John who came to the rescue and gave me a place to stay and helped financially.
2. What was your first role?
My first role was my senior year in Michigan. I had auditioned for a supporting role in a student theater production of Alice in Wonderland. I had no idea that I would end up getting the lead role.
3. What things did you do before becoming Lucy Liu The Actress?
I was a secretary, I was a hostess, I sold ice-cream and general catering. I did so many things because I had to pay the rent!
4. What challenges have you met as a woman and an Asian women in your job?
Well, playing the part of Watson in in Elementary had it’s moments. What was inherently a man’s role being given to an Asian woman caused a stir initially, but people have got used to to it now. Joan Watson was breaking boundaries and changing the perception of a much loved classic. But you have to be a pioneer and this means doing things that are different and unexpected sometimes.
5. Do you do all of your fight scenes or do you have a stand in?
I do them and I have the bruises to prove it! I did the violent scene in Southland (NBC / TNT cop drama) where I was beaten up and people thought it was a mannequin being thrown about, but that was me! I have studied sword and stick fighting which has come in handy although I’m not as expert as people seem to think I am. I wanted to do it because it was so beautiful to look at. I see it more as an art form than a combative thing.
6. People might not know that you are an artist as well…
Yes, I like to use objects that I find and upcycle them to art pieces and collages. I might use wood or glass to make something new. I enrolled at the New york Studio School to do art.
7. What else keeps your sanity?
I meditate everyday and try to remain spiritual. I am interested in Taoism and Buddhism and teachings of mind over matter.
8. What do you like about playing Dr Joan Watson in the hit show Elementary?
She has something of a dark past and she gets to work with someone who knows she is fallible but respects her on a lot of levels because he would not allow someone who doesn’t have something substantial to contribute to stick around. I like that it offers a contrast to action movies as I’m using my brain instead of fighting skills.
9. We know you have been asked this a few times, but you can tell us and we won’t say a word! Do Sherlock and Watson get it on eventually?
Well, it’s not part of the plan. They should definitely enjoy a chemistry and we want to focus on that chemistry and partnership, but it is not the intention that they end up romantically involved. Plus it might flip out a lot of fans.
10. Tell us about your role as a Unicef ambassador.
I have been involved with Unicef for 10 years and in that time I have traveled to many parts of the world getting to understand the simple dynamics of what children need in different countries. Sometimes it’s food or medicine or sometimes it’s as simple as just needing clean water.
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Elementary is currently on Sky Living and Sky Living HD in the UK