Damien Nguyen [p.3]

NHA: Being a second-generation Vietnamese American, what are your thoughts about having dual cultures and identities? Do these issues influence you or your work?

DN: Being second-generation Vietnamese American has always been an interesting experience. When I was growing up, I always felt trapped by the Old World customs and traditions. Trying to find my identity in this new world was hard when I felt labeled a certain way because of how I looked, talked, and dressed. Then when I became older, I began to wonder why I never took the time to really understand all those things, like my family and my ancestors, the things that made me who I really am. However, as an actor, I really am given
a chance to search, to some degree, for who I really am. I realized it is possible for me to find the characters that I portray within myself.

NHA: How do your parents feel about your acting career?
Were they happy about your involvement with The Beautiful Country?

DN: My parents were very skeptical at first when I decided to pursue acting as a career. I knew this, so I didn’t even tell them that I had dropped out of college until a week before I moved to Los Angeles. Things have changed. My parents are very proud of me now. I think that the whole acting thing is beginning to settle in for them.

NHA: How has your life changed with the success of the film? What’s a typical day like for you now?

DN: Life after the film is very much like life before the film. There is very little certainty in this industry. If you want to succeed, you need to hustle and do whatever that is required of you, so that you’ll be around tomorrow. Because of that, I still go to auditions and meet people for possible jobs. I guess I’m just fortunate, now the people that I meet are people who can help my career along.

NHA: You’re currently represented by US Talent. Do you find that having an agent is absolutely necessary in Hollywood?

DN: Yes, I’m represented by US Talent. Without their help and support, I don’t think that I would have had the success that I’ve had. Having representation in the industry is imperative, especially good representation. It’s the formula right now in the industry. Maybe that will change someday. For now, if you’re an actor, you better hope that there are people looking out for you.

NHA: What do you think about Hollywood’s racial stereotypes?  

DN: Hollywood is a business. It puts out products that have shown to make money. It probably will continue to use that same formula. It is my job and the job of other ethnic actors to change that. We are the ones who will direct Hollywood onto a different course, a course with many different ethnicities and perspectives. Hollywood will have no choice but to recognize us.

NHA: What is your idea of a perfect role?

DN: I don’t know what a perfect role would be. I just hope that the next role will be the perfect role for me at that time.

NHA: What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

DN: My first advice to an aspiring actor is to be passionate about everything that you do. Because it may be a while before anything happens. Be the best at everything that you are doing at the time on the road to your big opportunity, so that when it finally happens, you’ll be you’ve learned up to that point will be talents, resources, and skills at your disposal. My second advice is to be patient.

NHA: What are your interests outside of acting?

DN: Outside of acting, I enjoy sports, especially surfing and basketball. I enjoy spending time with my friends and doing simple things like going to dinner or a movie. On occasion I still enjoy going out dancing and being a little crazy. I think it’s nice to have that outlet.

NHA: Are you in a committed relationship?

DN: No, I’m not in a committed relationship.

NHA: I’m sure that’ll make a lot of female fans out there happy. Another personal question, where do you want to be in 10 years?

DN: In 10 years, I don’t really know where I’ll be. I just hope that it’s in a good place. If I’m still in Hollywood plugging away, I hope that I’ll still love doing it then too.

NHA: What projects are you working on now?

DN: Right now I’m in meetings with a lot of different studios and people to work on the next step in my career. I guess you could say that I’m navigating the waters carefully before I decide to settle in.