Nguoi Viet newspaper featured an article about me and my non-profit - h.o.p.e.fly - when I got back from the "warm souls project" in New York a few weeks ago. If you'd like to check it out, here's the link!
Vien Dong Daily also interviewed me for an article last week while I was on the set of Hangover 3! The article was published in their highly circulated newspaper (as pictured) and here's the link to the online version.
For those who aren't fluent in Vietnamese, here's the transcript to our interview:
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- What’s up Alex! It has been quite some time. How’ve you been?
Life's nothing short of a blessing. I'm living amazing adventures, one moment at a time!
- Awesome, now this is the second round of questions since our first interview – just to refresh everybody’s minds - you are a 3 time gold medalist in Wu Shu and are now a Hollywood stuntman...
I've added actor, non-profit organizer, and President of Reflex Entertainment to my resume as well!
- Describe a typical week in your life these days?
On a week when I'm not on set or jetting off to interesting locations for my dream job, I'm usually taking meetings, going out on auditions, fine tuning my martial arts/stunting skills at JAM (Joining All Movement gym), vocal training and scene study classes with my acting coaches at the Aaron Speiser studio, creative brainstorming/writing sessions with my team ReelKick, and conference calling with my charity partners for h.o.p.e.fly. And somewhere in there I find time to eat!
- Please tell us about the recent project that you just finished for Hurricane Sandy? The goal, the plan, and the results? What was your drive for this project?
My non-profit project - h.o.p.e.fly - was established with the goal of empowering young people and to help them share their unique gifts and abilities. Far too often, we overlook the greatness that exists before our very eyes! That being said, after Hurricane Sandy, I thought about those being overlooked amidst the reconstruction of New York City: the homeless. The weather is getting much colder as winter is approaching, so I thought, "how could we help keep those in need warm?" Thus, the h.o.p.e.fly warm souls project was born!
The idea is simple: gather coats, jackets, and sweaters and send them to New York. However, I wanted those who contributed to see how their donation was being brought directly to the needy, so I hand-delivered them myself to the Rescue Mission. So many times when we donate to a cause we don't know where our contribution goes. I documented the entire journey from start to finish (you can watch the video on my blog) so that everyone could see how they themselves are helping make this world a better place.
At first, Los Angeles, CA was the only city I had planned to collect coats from, but then Orange County, CA, Richmond, VA, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, PA joined the cause! I collected over 250lbs of warm clothes from California alone, and when Virgin America heard about my efforts, they offered to pay for all the shipping! By the time I traveled to the east coast and made my way up to New York City, I had 10 full boxes of coats, jackets, and sweaters!
The goal of delivering these warm clothes to the New York City Rescue Mission was achieved. And we did it right before Thanksgiving, so that after Thanksgiving dinner folks could leave the shelter with a warm meal in their stomachs and a warm coat on their backs.
- What are some projects that you’re currently working on (non career wise)?
Outside of my career, I really enjoy traveling and have been wanting to reconnect with my roots in Vietnam. Southeast Asian travel is certainly on the itinerary for the near future.
- How has life as a stuntman been coming along? What’s your favorite part of it?
It's funny that you should ask that, because as we're doing this interview I'm on the set of The Hangover 3 getting ready to jump into an action sequence that's sure to keep the audience's eyes glued to the movie screen! I've been very blessed as a stuntman, and now it's propelled my career into the acting world. Being an actor/stuntman has introduced me to fascinating people, intriguing cultures, and exciting experiences that enrich my life in so many ways. When you push yourself beyond limits and fears you truly feel that you're living life at its best.
- Least favorite?
Not enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do!
- What’s the craziest, busiest part of your week? Least busy?
I try to reserve Sunday as a day to connect with my family and faith, so that's probably the most calm. As for the the craziest? Look at me: everything's wild and crazy about my life!
- Most exciting? Most boring?
Never a dull moment when you're living fully in the moment!
- Compared to 2 years ago when we first interviewed you, how has your mentality changed?
Two years ago I tried to control every aspect of my life. The heavens have a funny way of teaching us life lessons though, and I learned that you can only do the best with what you have in front of you. After that, just let go and trust that whatever will be will be, because whatever happens is what's supposed to happen. Every moment can be a special one if you embrace it with love in your heart and a smile on your face.
- Have your professional goals changed since then? If so, how?
The goals are similar, the methods have just been refined and are more advanced.
- Personal goals?
I want to represent the Asian-American community positively in Hollywood and serve as a role model to Vietnamese people all over the world. One should lead by example through their words and actions.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 20 years?
Taking over the world. Hopefully with a beautiful wife and kids by twenty years! Haha but in all seriousness I'll be consistently working as a well-known actor in film and television and h.o.p.e.fly will have accomplished several successful charitable projects around the world.
- How would you define success?
Success is fulfillment of goals, and personally my goals have been the same since I was five years old: to bring people together, entertain audiences, and give back to this world. When the wealth and recognition I gain through my work affords me the ability to illuminate the lives of people all over the world, I think I'll feel that much closer to "success."
- Do you have any mentors that have helped you along the way?
Countless family and friends have served as inspiration to me, two of whom are Hollywood legends James Lew and Simon Rhee. I've picked up motivation from working alongside actors I admire such as Johnny Depp, Robert Downey, Jr. and Will Smith. I also have a great team, ReelKick, who keep me motivated and laughing all the time!
- How has your Vietnamese background played a role in your life?
Brought up by my grandparents who only spoke Vietnamese and being raised in American culture, I learned early on how to translate my thoughts, feelings and intentions by way of communication beyond words. My Vietnamese background is personified by the amazing Vietnamese family who raised me. They exemplify loyalty in spirit and family, hard work in the face of adversity, and service above self...all values that I carry with me every day of my life.
- What is your life philosophy?
Two pieces of personal wisdom I share often are "Humility is a skeleton key" and "Take a leap of faith, you just might fly!" My main philosophy in life is "Live in love." Love is one the greatest feelings we can experience, and when we live in its greatness, its greatness will live within us.
Thanks for sharing your life with us Alex!
