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

Hi Jinny, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

As an actor and performer—We take risks every day. Every time we make choices in an audition, everytime we choose to reach out to a casting director or agent, we risk rejection and being misunderstood. The key is to not think of it as taking a “risk” but to see it taking a leap of faith.

Faith that my choices will stand out, faith that the casting director can see my potential, and faith that I am just what the agent is looking for on their roster.

Faith that I am on the right path.

My biggest risk as an actor was when I resigned from my position as a flight attendant with a major Canadian airline to pursue my acting career full-time.. This was a decision I never thought would be possible.

I had held this position for almost 12 years and had I not been laid off in 2020 due to covid, I’d probably still be at that same job. Stressing out about switching shifts to go to auditions, calling in sick to ensure I could get on set. Being super careful about what I post on social so no one would catch me following my dreams.

Although the full effects of the pandemic likely won’t be understood until many years from now, I definitely think it gave us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our life choices. It gave us an opportunity to explore new possibilities and I was able to openly pursue my acting career full-time without having to hide it.

When they called me back from layoffs, I knew I was supposed to be happy, but I was only filled with dread. I pushed it off until the next recall, then the next one. Finally, I got the ultimatum—come back now, or you’re terminated.

The thought was scary. My identity for the last decade, the bread and butter that helped me raise a family and buy a home, my HEALTH BENEFITS!

I spoke with my partner and we had planned a mini-getaway to mull it over. As if a sign from the Universe, on day two of the trip—I got notification that I booked a job and the project shoot dates were the same as my first days I was to return to work.

I knew I wasn’t going back to work those days. But still—I wasn’t sure.

On the second-last day of that trip, I had two emails drafted. One subject line was “Kids got Covid—can’t come back as scheduled!” And the other was simply “I resign.”

The blessing of having a supportive partner and a booking gave me to courage and faith, to hit send on the email with the latter subject line.

Later that month I booked another commercial and the following month I started a new position teaching acting at an established school.

My leap of faith paid off.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

When I started my journey I didn’t really know what my mission was—just to make a living doing what I loved.

As I increased my social media presence, posting about acting, more and more people started coming to me, asking for acting tips, career advice, and the classic “how do you balance acting with motherhood”.

Despite this being a triggering question based on a misogynistic outlook on the responsibilities of child-rearing, I found it was all too real how many mothers didn’t think they could pursue acting, or how many actors didn’t think they could be mothers! I had unwittingly become an inspiration for them, a tangible real-world example of what was possible.

I also saw there was something missing in the tradition acting class world. Most acting classes focus on beats & objectives, backstories, and nailing that 10 page scene. Which is great, and any actor should invest in this craft. But the reality is, when you’re first starting out, you’re not getting these juicy auditions. You’re getting one or two-lines, and sometimes no lines at all.

Traditional acting classes don’t prepare you for that. That’s when I decided to fill that gap.

I wrote an e-book titled BOOK MORE COMMERCIALS FROM SELF-TAPE AUDITIONS and created an online course titled AUDITION TECHNIQUES FOR SMALL ROLES—HOW TO MAKE CASTING DIRECTORS KNOW, LIKE, & TRUST YOU and I also offer audition & career coaching online.

I have helped actors understand how to execute complicated commercial breakdowns and how to deliver those one-liners, all while creating a relationship with casting directors. By nailing these smaller roles, casting will continue to bring you in and will eventually trust you with larger roles.

I also focus a lot on mindset work. It can be very discouraging being an actor, and I know how easily we can get into the compare & despair game.

I started my Daily Affirmations for Actors practice on TikTok and Instagram so I could spread positivity and help actors combat negative thoughts that make us doubt ourselves.

I recently created my first set of clothing options with my favourite affirmation on it: EXPECT GOOD THINGS

Now, my mission is a bit more clear. I am embracing the idea that when I follow my dreams, I inspire others to do the same.

I aim to always be transparent about my wins and struggles as a loving mother pursuing her passion of acting, and to be what is possible.

To inspire leaps of faith.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

That there is no expiry date on your dreams.

When I was younger, I had put a deadline on my dream of being an actor. If I’m not a successful working actor by 28 then I’ll find a “real job”.

This went back and forth for years because I’d always hit my deadline, but not my goal, then I’d settle for my “real job”. I even went back to school for journalism thinking that would be close enough to acting that it might make me happy.

It wasn’t until after my second maternity leave that I truly understood that nothing would be “close enough” to make me forget the desire in my heart.

That it was time to try again, and no matter what unfolded, I’d just keep going.

Within a year I booked my first television series as a regular, and shot multiple commercials. Two years later, I signed with a great agent. Five years later, I’m a full-time successful working actor.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s gotta be seeing your ideas come to life.

Whether it’s a take on a character for a role, or an inspiring story you tell—it is incredibly rewarding to be able to turn your thoughts into reality.

I also love the collaborative aspect of creating a project. Everyone plays a role or, I like to think of it as everyone being a puzzle piece.

I have had the immense pleasure to contribute to some amazing projects over the last few years. From my very first TV series, Cutie Pugs, to the multi-award winning webseries, Streams Flow From A River, to Trickle and Flow—a series that is still in pre-production.

It is both satisfying and inspiring to work with fellow artist to create something new.

Contact Info:

• Website: jinnywong.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jinnywongonset/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jinny-wong-310a6115?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Jinnywongonset?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=8ba0a415-1018-42df-9dee-83abeb6a0471 https://www.tiktok.com/@jinnywongonset?_t=8hiUEa2NXPC&_r=1 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5595791/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
Hayley Andoff photography Caitlyn Bar photography