We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Juliana Chen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Juliana below.

Hi Juliana, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I truly knew I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally was back when I was about 16 years old, shortly after moving from Taiwan to Australia on my own. Ever since childhood, I’d always loved singing and performing on stage—it felt like second nature to me, an instinctive way to express myself and connect with others. As a child, I even attended casting auditions, eager for opportunities to perform and showcase my talents.

But the move to Australia sparked something deeper. Being alone in a new country made me keenly aware of how unique my personal journey was becoming, and I found myself wanting to document every step of it. I began creating YouTube videos, capturing snippets of my daily life, the cultural challenges I faced, and my thoughts as I navigated this entirely new environment. To be honest, those early videos weren’t particularly polished—but the process ignited a passion within me. I was captivated by storytelling, by the possibility of sharing my personal experiences in ways that resonated with others.

When I enrolled in university, majoring in Entertainment Industries, I immersed myself in classes that explored scriptwriting, documentary filmmaking, and producing. Each project reaffirmed my desire to work in a field where creativity was essential. After completing my undergraduate studies, I moved to Los Angeles to study Communication Management at the University of Southern California, a school abundant in industry connections and resources. At USC, my passion deepened even further as I learned about strategic storytelling, media production, and the nuances of effectively communicating powerful narratives.

I love learning new things—I play guitar and piano, I love singing and dancing, and even acting. Though admittedly, I’m not an expert in any particular area, my curiosity and willingness to explore different forms of expression continue to shape who I am as a creative individual.

Today, looking back, I see that moment—those early, somewhat shaky videos—as the pivotal point when my love for storytelling became more than a hobby. It was the foundation upon which I decided to build my professional life, committed to creating content that not only entertains but also deeply connects people through shared experiences.

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

My name is Juliana Chen, and I’m a content creator, communicator, and global storyteller. Born and raised in Taiwan, I moved to Australia by myself at the age of 16—a bold decision that shaped my independent spirit and deepened my love for storytelling and cultural exploration. I recently graduated with a Master’s in Applied Communication Research from the University of Southern California.

As a content creator, I document and share my life abroad—offering a window into the joys, challenges, and unexpected moments of living overseas. My content resonates especially with audiences in Taiwan, where I’ve built a loyal following. Many of my videos have gone viral and been featured by top media outlets and news platforms across Taiwan. I’ve also been invited to appear on well-known Taiwanese TV shows to share my stories and reflections.

Through social media, I’ve partnered with a range of brands to promote products and ideas that align with my values and lifestyle. I believe in authenticity above all—when I share something, it comes from a genuine place. I love helping brands tell their stories in a way that feels personal and culturally relevant to my audience.

In addition to content creation, I’ve worked across marketing, digital media, and business development roles. My experience spans social media strategy, campaign execution, influencer marketing, and global communications—allowing me to combine creative storytelling with data-driven execution and international market insight.

What makes me different is my ability to blend creativity with cultural insight. I’m fluent in Mandarin and English, with intermediate skills in Korean and Japanese, and my international background allows me to connect with people from all walks of life.

For anyone discovering my work, I hope to leave you with this: I’m here to tell honest stories, create meaningful content, and connect people through shared experiences. Whether it’s through a screen, a stage, or a strategic campaign—I want to inspire others to embrace their unique journey and never stop exploring.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve had to make in my life came from navigating the reality of being an international student in the U.S. As someone deeply passionate about content creation and storytelling, I always dreamed of being able to pursue it full-time—sharing my experiences, growing my audience, and collaborating with brands in a meaningful way. But the truth is, being an international student comes with a lot of limitations, especially when it comes to work opportunities and visa restrictions.

While I would have loved to dedicate myself fully to content creation, I had to prioritize stability and legal employment. That meant putting my creator journey partially on pause to search for a full-time job that would sponsor my visa and align with my academic background. It was a tough emotional shift—balancing my passion with practical responsibilities, while still trying to stay true to who I am.

But this pivot taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of finding a middle ground. I didn’t give up on my creativity—I continued to share content when I could, appeared on TV shows in Taiwan, and kept growing my presence online. At the same time, I challenged myself to grow professionally in marketing, communications, and strategy so that I could build a career that still allowed me to tell stories—just in a different format.

Now, I’m learning to integrate both worlds: building a professional path that supports my life abroad, while staying rooted in the creativity that started it all. This journey made me realize that pivots aren’t setbacks—they’re redirections. And sometimes, they lead you to even more powerful, purpose-driven versions of the life you imagined.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey is a simple but powerful mission: to connect people through honest storytelling.

As someone who has lived across different countries and cultures—from Taiwan to Australia to the U.S.—I’ve experienced both the beauty and loneliness that can come with starting over, chasing dreams, and finding your voice in unfamiliar places. Through my content, I want to create a space where others—especially young people navigating life abroad—feel seen, understood, and inspired.

Whether it’s sharing the challenges of being an international student, the joy of cultural discovery, or the behind-the-scenes of personal growth, my goal is to be real. I want people to know that it’s okay not to have everything figured out, and that vulnerability can be powerful. I also hope to break stereotypes and show that we can be multidimensional—creative and strategic, playful and ambitious, soft and strong.

Long term, I want to use my platform not just to share my own story, but to uplift others’ voices, highlight underrepresented narratives, and collaborate with brands, creators, and causes that align with values of authenticity, empathy, and curiosity.

If even one person feels a little less alone or a little more empowered because of something I shared—that, to me, is success.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianachen_lol/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-chen-5927a4179/

Image Credits

James
Jim Lee