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

Aileen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I always knew, yes! By Elementary school, I was obsessed with theatre and performing. My first role was playing a clam in a production of “Peter Pan”, a real method acting moment. As a little girl, I could be shy and anxious but when I got to act on stage, I felt free and consumed by the imaginary world.

By middle school, I was declaring my dream career path. I would space out during class and write about my dreams of becoming a professional actor in bad cursive in a Lisa Frank notebook.

When I was 12 I was casted as Helen Keller in the play “The Miracle Worker”. It was a super intense and physical role but I went all-in, pouring my soul into that performance.

By High School I got the rude awakening of the realities of rejection, unhealthy comparisons, toxic teachers, and nay-sayers. And to be honest, I didn’t have the right mental and emotional tools to deal with it. After High School, I spent several cloudy years trying to “find myself” through the typical college chaos. I shoved my artistry far down until I was numb to it.

I moved to New York City when I was 23. I started taking acting classes again and then expanded to writing, producing, acting, and directing Off Broadway plays and web series with friends. The city brought my creative spirit back to life and I haven’t looked back since.

Aileen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Japanese-American actress, writer, and photographer based in Los Angeles and New York City.

As a writer and actress, my mission is to tell stories that reflect our diverse world and give voice to underrepresented communities. My writing normally explores themes of sex positivity, modern relationships, and human psychology.

As an actor, I have immersed myself in different training programs such as the Maggie Flanigan Meisner program, the Groundlings Improv School, and more. I was most recently casted as a tough party girl in a dramatic short that films this spring.

As a professional photographer, I photograph anything from lifestyle/editorial, portraits, and headshots to events and more. I’m drawn to playing with natural light and creating dreamy images with a mix of vibrant and muted colors. I love working with my subjects to bring out an authentic expression of them.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The pursuit of money, commercialism, and status seems to drive this country. As artists, it can sometimes be hard to figure out where we fit in. It can be exhausting to be who we are in the midst of the transactional nature of society.

I really want society to value artists more. And with valuing comes protecting and respecting artists. And not just the A-listers or obvious heavy-hitters. The majority of artists are hustling and dedicating themselves to their craft daily. It starts with paying them what they are worth. It starts with valuing their skills and talent.

And then there’s AI. I’m all in for technology advancing to support society but this notion to pull apart art and simplify it into one hit of an algorithmic button or code to duplicate it sickens and scares me.

Create tools for artists, don’t replace them. Art comes from people for a reason- because it’s personal and reveals our humanity. Creating a world that eliminates our humanity is pointless and will not ultimately end well in my opinion.

By valuing artists both financially and conceptually we can create a better creative ecosystem.

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

Art deepens our empathy and understanding of others. It’s through art that we glimpse other cultures or learn their history. It’s through art that we expand our imagination and visualize what could be.

Art holds a mirror to society and that’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I’m driven by the desire to uncover the superficial layers of humanity and reveal what’s underneath. Why do we do what we do? What are we really feeling? I’m also driven by the desire to work with others and to make others feel seen. Whether it’s through photography or storytelling, I believe everyone deserves to be seen.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aileenkyoko.com and www.aileenkyokophotography.com
• Instagram: @aileenkyoko @by.kyoko
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/aileenkyokophotography/

Image Credits