We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evelien Kong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Evelien, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

First, thank you for having me back! I really appreciate the support Canvas Rebel has given me.

One big risk I took was deciding, in college, to seriously pursue a career in entertainment.

As the only child of immigrant parents from Hong Kong, there was a cultural expectation for me to have a stable, practical career—like being a doctor, lawyer, or working in finance. And since I was their only hope, all bets were on me, so the pressure was on! My parents, of course, also wanted the best for me, and I certainly didn’t want to be unemployed after college, so I started as an accounting major.

It’s well known that the entertainment industry is tough to break into and even harder to have a lasting career. And being immigrants, my parents had no contacts, knew nothing about the business, and as a Chinese person, there was almost no representation on or off-screen at the time. So, being a part of the entertainment industry felt like a far-fetched dream. And the weight of those expectations was immense. But I always knew what I wanted to do, and anyone who knows me can tell you that the idea of me as an accounting major was laughable—math and I don’t get along.

When I finally decided to pursue entertainment, it was terrifying to admit to myself that I was truly going for it, and even scarier to tell my parents. The fear of disappointing them and failing to break into the industry was overwhelming.

But now, with over 25 years as a television producer/director, I can say it was worth it. Taking that risk changed the entire trajectory of my life. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’ve been able to have my dream job and be part of incredible projects. It’s been an amazing journey, and I am so lucky and grateful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my career in television as an intern, working my way up to where I am today. Now, as a veteran television producer and director, I have a myriad of credits, including producing award-winning documentaries with MTV, creating content for Apple TV+, Netflix, and Marvel, and producing digital content for shows like Law and Order: SVU and Saturday Night Live. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible talents like Mick Jagger, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Ang Lee, and even President Biden.

But behind all the credits are years of hard work and the values my parents instilled in me. As an immigrant family, my parents faced numerous challenges. My mom, especially, was often underestimated and bullied because of her quiet demeanor and small stature. But let me tell you—she was a force. People didn’t see the quiet strength she carried. Watching how she was treated, and how people reduced her to labels really impacted me. Through all of that, my mom never got caught up in superficial things or let the noise affect her. Instead, she moved through life with integrity, strength, humor and heart.

Those lessons stay with me and shape everything I do in my life and work. No matter what I’m doing, I respect others, stay open to learning, focus on the work, and strive to be a storyteller who spotlights the human element—the universal touchpoints.

That’s why I created my podcast, Reppin—which is short for representation. It’s a platform where I can have raw, authentic conversations with people from all walks of life—celebrities, best-selling authors, newsmakers—people you THINK you know, and explore the moments that impacted them. The podcast is a space where guests can be fully themselves. Reppin isn’t just about a person’s accomplishments or what they look like; it’s about understanding their truths, their character, and what they stand for. It’s about going beyond their public personas, diving into their journeys, their challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned.

In my everyday life, in my work and certainly with my podcast, it’s not about the accolades; it’s about the growth and a person’s character that truly matters. That’s what drives me every day, and that’s what I hope to bring to my audience: an authentic, deeper, and more meaningful connection that empowers and inspires others.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Lately, I feel like real conversations are hard to come by. Too often, people listen just to respond, rather than to learn. That’s one of the reasons why I started Reppin. I wanted a platform where I could mix the fun of late-night talk shows with substantial conversations—where you can meet really interesting people, where they can be themselves and share their stories in an authentic way, build community, and create positive change.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There are so many layers to this question. Being able to build a career around something I love has been awesome. Working alongside amazing people, both on and off-screen, and collaborating on projects that are fun and inspire me has been a dream come true. What makes it even more rewarding is seeing the work connect with audiences. I’m also thankful there is no math involved! And even beyond that, the experiences and lessons I’ve gained throughout my career have been invaluable, and the friendships I’ve formed along the way are just a beautiful, lifelong gift.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reppin.tv/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Reppinpodcast