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

Priscilla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

The biggest thing that I represent in my craft is that I do not fit in. The biggest pride that I have in my work is that I am living the dream and message my younger self set. Back when I started it was less inclusive than it is now. You’re looking at a 5’2 petite Chinese- American looking to be a fashion model and film actress who is starting out doing school plays. If I were to walk into an agency with nothing except myself, I knew it would be laughable. Not so long story short, it was when I started working consistently and getting attention when I moved to Las Vegas that made me realize how far I had come after working so hard to be taken seriously as a professional. One problem stands though: I learned how much people cared about being around me to copy me and leech off of my knowledge and talent BUT I would struggle day in and day out to get the jobs worthy of this recognition. Regardless of how much respect I get, my stature and ethnicity never changed. Times have changed, but in the eyes of the public and industry I am still 5’2 flat footed and Chinese. People often ask me why I always feel the need to prove myself on social media and be vocally on the defense about my misjudgments and its because people “copying me” and “wanting to be like me” does not pay my bills. I will literally do a photoshoot or do a certain walk during a runway rehearsal and have my copiers do the EXACT same thing. Whenever I walk in a room I still receive comments and get denied because they assume I’m not really a model or nearly as good as I actually am. I get turned down while my copiers get the jobs. I recently did a fashion show where a designer was saying she’s upset there aren’t more models because she has many more looks she wants to show on the runway, meanwhile I am standing right next to her and was not asked to walk for her. I even get comments after I showed people what I can do “wow you’re actually a professional.. you just look so unassuming…” Even after all of this time, I still have to work 20 times as hard as everyone else in the room because I seem to look like I suck at my job. It can get extremely frustrating. There are many more situations and issues people seem to have with me that will take forever to get through, but at the end of the day I sum it up as: I trained when the industry wasn’t as open or cautious about being “nice”. The standards for me were always above the clouds and when I expect that now from my counterparts I always seem like the biggest B**** because no one likes to be called out on their insecurities or lack of professionalism.

Priscilla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As stated before, I look to succeed and push the boundaries as a Fashion Model, Film actress and TV/Red Carpet Host. The only way I saw myself getting to a place where the industry would take me seriously is if I proved it to them. I started networking around the Chicago area, creative directing my own photoshoots, building up a portfolio where not one photo would be the same. My athletic past would help with my posing and my love for fashion & knowledge would help with my styling. While I was doing all of this, I was in the theatre world at school doing plays and eventually would audition for big theatre colleges around the country. I wanted that theatre training even though my main goal was to be in film and television. I loved the camera and it seemed it loved me back. I succeeded in graduating with a BFA in Acting at Illinois Wesleyan University with a minor in Theatre Dance in 2015. Even in the theatre world, I knew I didn’t fit in. My professors would even tell me they don’t know “where to put me”. After school, I was thrown into the world alone trying to figure out my next move. I finally was able to get signed to my first agency and was sent on TV auditions for shows like “Empire, “Chicago Med”.. etc. It was then that I realized how differently you present yourself in the world of film and television along with how you even audition. It was like learning all over again because now I didn’t fit in here either. Three years have past and I had built up an even more extensive portfolio and resume. It was then I decided to move to Las Vegas and chase my dreams even more rigorously. Once I moved I was welcomed with open arms and started to land more roles, expand on more photoshoots, have opportunities to do more in the industry and even walk the RUNWAY. I mentioned earlier how I am prone to a lot of copiers and people leeching off of everything I built but it doesn’t end there. The hate I get is overflowing, the amount of people trying to publicly paint me in a different light with rumors and gaslighting is extensive and I cannot seem to keep friendships. The cost you pay when you’re doing well in a field that relies on confidence, strength and perseverance becomes magnetic yet intimidating to people who want to be a part of your world. There are days where I realize how lonely my life really is and it hurts to know that people do not seem to want to be around me for me but because of the image I give them, opportunities I give them, an ego boost… publicity. People I work with love to demand so much from me but get upset that I am a human and I also overwork as it is, which people think I lie about. When you do different jobs and have to wear multiple hats every day, you learn to compartmentalize to be able to be present for whatever job you’re doing THAT day. Whether I’m hosting a movie premiere or I’m acting in a movie or doing a fashion editorial.. or even walking a runway. People do not like to hear this but I will be worrying about THAT job not yours that will happen a month from now. Of course, they roll their eyes thinking I make excuses but if the roles were reversed they would not be so nice to me if I was hounding them. In fact, my pet peeve actually is excuses LOL. I hate them. I realized how common it is for people to make them because they failed to do what they said they were going to do. I am a woman of my word and never failed someone once. I will always do what I say plus some. But I feel because so many people want to take my out, they will try anything just to make it harder. My recent famous line I tell people in order for them to understand my life in any type of way is “Imagine a life where everyone wants a piece of you but wants to rid of you at the same time.” However, through the struggles I deal with daily, nothing is stopping me from my goal. I know the light at the end of the tunnel and I also know that it will make my win that much more fulfilling. I would know I made it from the bottom up when no one wanted me to. I showcase that people that look like me, people who work as hard as I do can change the narrative. Looking a certain way or kissing ass does not make you a great artist…. talent and hard work does.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In fall of 2021 I was cast in a lead role whose character bio is “slutty bartender”. Filming began in a October and failed on the first day due to conflicts with director and lack of crew/equipment and professionalism. I had also been receiving inappropriate advances from the actor cast in the lead role (at that time) & reported them. We began again in January ‘22, I cut my holiday short and returned to Las Vegas to shoot. The Executive Producer (EP) in charge, who also teaches acting classes from her home (she brought me in to help teach one once 🙄) is known for causing dramatic scenes in public and thrives on power. Her daughter was involved with crew for the movie and also follows suit. She carries a mug around that says QUEEN and reminds people to look at the mug on sets. It was known day 1 of shooting she was romantically involved with the lead male, whom I have worked with and knew prior to this movie, & she spent her time on set making sure everyone knew. The first day was supposed to be smooth, but ended up lasting long since 1 actor with 1-2 lines required 8 hours to shoot. As each day went on, the EP would walk in each day screaming with a problem; rumors she heard around town about her- how she “doesn’t pay her actors” , talking badly about people on set.. etc. I began to be sexually harassed openly on set by a male crew member since my wardrobe required a push up bra, short dress & heavy eyeliner with big hair. I reported instantly to her and she told me I was right in doing so – she had heard a lot of bad things about him around town. That male got demoted.
As days went on the EP got more agitated and would openly verbally attack the director and script supervisor bc they weren’t doing things how she saw fit.
ALL this time, no person in charge ever stood up to her. They allowed this behavior and as each day went on.. put more and more people in danger. I became friends with my costars and had gone out for drinks one night. That night I invited them to a place I was going the following night (the night before the last day on set). One of those people happened to be the lead male who was involved with EP’s possessive daughter.
The last two days on set where very line heavy for me and I needed 100% focus. So I get to set that morning prepared and the vibe was already off. People were sneaking off to whisper, EP& Daughter purposely would put themselves in my face to be snarky.
I read energy well and I knew I was next in line to be attacked for some reason- this reason probably having to do with me asking the cast to go out and to EP’s daughter looks like I’m trying to take away the lead male. (NOTE: this actor is different than the one sending me inappropriate messages prior) 🙄 I tried to stay as calm as possible bc I hadn’t filmed my scenes for the day yet and I need my head in the right place- which became nearly impossible. When it was time for my scene to be shot, everyone was in place- cast, cameras, sound, lighting… I was standing next to the lead male and the EP comes up to tell him about plans for a cast dinner and how everyone is invited but me. The director was about to call action when she came up straight in my face and raised both middle fingers and mouthed “fuck you!!!” It was finally the time she had been waiting for and I put my hands up in confusion. She walked away whilst continuing to mouth profanities and stick her middle fingers up. She walked to her daughter who gave me eye daggers in the back as they walked out the building. I was feeling so many emotions because she timed it perfectly in hopes to ruin all of my shots of the day so she could blame delayed filming on me. I saw the Line Producer in the back and waved him over to get over to me ASAP. If anyone had equal or more power to her, would be him. He stayed in the back and started moving his hands around in a joking manner and I realized he was not understanding I needed him ASAP.
The director noticed I was getting visibly upset & I was not able to control tears. He told me “stay with me” and the DP called “ACTION! 🎬” When it got to my line I could not let out a single word. The crew was watching me wondering what my problem was because no one had scene the event take place. I somehow got out the words “CAN WE HOLD?!!!!” Everyone in the room got silent and turned to me who could not hold in all of the stress I had that day and I was upset that I was put in a harmful situation like this as an actor. I shouted “I JUST WANT TO SAY: IF ANYONE DOES NOT WANT ME HERE I WILL EXIT THIS SET. I REFUSE TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS IN THIS TOXIC ENVIRONMENT AND UNAPPRECIATED FOR THE WORK I AM DOING HERE.” I had been holding in my thoughts and basically had to walk on glass all day bc of the way I was being followed and talked about by EP & her daughter on purpose. I shouted what had just happened since I realized no one saw the event and the line producer ran out to talk to EP. Of course, she claimed I attacked her & called her a Bitch to her face – she was only standing up for herself. The war had only begun.
The rest of the day I had to call it quits. I could not get myself together to shoot the rest of my scenes bc the makeup team had left, my eyes were puffy & I could not believe I was asked to continue to work after I was attacked by someone who had shown signs of rage and mental illness for days. The only thing the director could tell me to calm me down was “they’re both just crazy, don’t worry about them.” She had been harassing others and no one stood up to her to keep her under control. Now, they decided to put an actor in danger and risk production being delayed. All because of jealousy.
I had 1 more day of shooting left and it was the day where majority of my speaking scenes were. We were changing locations to an air bnb owned by another one of EP’s daughters. I knew I had to finish this film because I signed a contract and I also am a woman of my word.
I knew EP wanted me to back out. She wanted to blame the demise of her project on me & she also probably wanted to recast me. I was doing extremely well in my role & she was a washed up actress who is trying to do anything she can to “be somebody.”
I was promised that they wouldn’t come near me at all. The second slide in the carousel was taken while filming the first scene of the day. I still found ways to smile and found love in doing what I did with the cast and crew who were present at this location. We were all joking, laughing and enjoying our last day of filming to the best we could. Suddenly, EP, her husband and her daughter walk in the door and I see them arguing with the Line Producer.
The positive energy in the room drops and I reminded myself to just get through the day. Throughout the day, I would be sitting and waiting to film and EP’s daughter would just do circles around me surveying everything I was doing. She then would take my costar, who became a really good friend of mine aside and told her “I’m not mad at you, but Priscilla definitely called my mom a bitch. We talked to everyone she’s worked with and they said she does this all of the time.” She said this while my costar was standing up for me.
EP would continue to drag other costars and crew aside and would loudly state allegations about me so I could hear.
“We contacted everyone she’s worked with and they told us this is what she does. She cries in a corner to get men to coddle her.”
“I know she photoshops all of the screenshots of men sexually harassing her.”
“All she is is a DIVA!!! EVERYONE CALLS HER THAT!”
“She lied about *insert crew members name here* him sexually harassing her and I’ve been in contact with him and we are taking her to court for slander.” (Suddenly they’re friends now?)
She continues to say these things along with way more accusations I don’t remember, while I’m trying to work and loud enough so I can hear. She would take people aside one by one to do so to get them on her side.
The last scene was being filmed and she became more reckless. The DP would call “QUIET ON SET” and she would start banging dishes in the sink.
When we wrapped everyone was invited to go out for drinks except me- not that I had any intention on going. I wanted to leave and escape ASAP. I was invited to a dinner with the crew and the Line Producer had asked to make a statement since he decided he wanted to take legal action against her. Turns out when they came into the house her husband had made threats to him. As I leave the air bnb to go to my car, her husband was in the driveway in the SUV and gave me daggers and the car started moving towards me. I couldn’t run to my car fast enough. I didn’t know what I did to these people to get treated so poorly, watch them try to get me blacklisted and then see a moving car come near me. I go make a long statement at IHOP and suddenly that’s when the Line Producer said “This is crazy. She has an issue.” To me, I was bewildered because HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO FIND THAT OUT? The Director and DP were paid in front of me and I was told that they were going to bring up the contract we all signed- which stated how to act on set: in a professional manner.
I took a flight back to Chicago to get away because the rumors, allegations and threats were getting worse. Her son is known to have ties along with her husband who has government ties and all she needs to do is snap her fingers when she wants to get rid of someone. Everyone kept blowing up my phone trying to comfort me but the damage was done. Where was everyone in the moments everything was happening? What if they were the ones who have to worry about their life and also now, reputation? It was all “I wish I did something in the moment.” Now I was left alone to defend myself and keep myself safe. Las Vegas is a small town- even if these are rumors, any word about people is believed. Especially if word “Diva” is thrown around. One thing is known about me- on sets I’m very quiet and observant. I stay by myself, I’m focused and ready to shoot.
As months went on, nothing happened. No lawsuits were made against her and I basically just had to hope she stopped. I got a check with half of my pay and as the year ended, I reached out to the Line Producer for the rest of it.
All I got were excuses about how EP is “difficult to work with” and that “we don’t have any money left”… and when I kept stating I don’t care- I was told “if you keep asking, I will never speak to you again and I will bring up the contract you signed.”
Up until now, I have not received full payment, I have not seen any edits of the movie and probably never will which is detrimental because I could have used so many comedic scenes in my acting reel to show versatility. My reels, my portfolio.. everything is hindered if nothing ever gets edited on production side. Actors and models do their job first and pray they will see anything in return. It’s unjust the amount of excuses I receive when I demand my work. I still hear from time to time there’s still drama about that film. Many of the people still associate with EP and that alone tells me their worth. I do not associate myself with anyone who continues to work with her because it shows literal fear and weakness. You do not deserve to work with me ever again. I am left with major PTSD but continue to push everyday in my career. When I talk about the struggles I face, I’m not talking about a couple of hate comments or DMs- I’m talking about situations like these. (If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Now go get a drink!😂)

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

The most common comment I get is ” you’ll never know what a real job is..” or “get a job as a roofer and then you’ll know what hard work is.” The basic knowledge being that what I do is not real work, that or because its so hard chances of me actually working consistently is slim to none. On the other hand another common thought is that its super glamorous. I just get my makeup done, put on a dress and stand in front of the camera because I’m pretty.

Both of these I find highly offensive. A lot of people like to disregard this career path because you’re either rich and famous or you’re struggling on the street hustling to pay bills. Nothing about this job is easy or glamorous. I have only mentioned a few of the hardships I have had to face in my 15 years working and training in my field. There are way more horror stories to account for but the hardest job of it all? Is coming out of each situation stronger and continuing to push through with your eye on the prize. The reason so many quit is because this is a field where people like to tear each other down and use or abuse others for power, recognition and fame. It is a superficial world where being fake is expected. For someone like me who doesn’t fit in in that aspect, it’s hard to stand alone. If you don’t butter up to people you’re seen as snobby or intimidating, if you speak up against unjust behavior you’re seen as a complainer and problem starter and if you put your foot down on things you do not agree with you’re hard to work with. All of this and at the end of the day you don’t know if the friends you do have or the relationships you’ve curated are real. Everyone leaves you the minute you set boundaries or even ask to talk because you had a bad day. You’re seen as money, an asset or a gateway until you’re no longer useful and you’re made to pick up the pieces. At the same time if you’re like me and don’t have agents pushing your name, you have to work 24/7 in submitting yourself for jobs or marketing your work on social media just to get exposure. Doing the job and the shoots isn’t even the hard work. The hard work comes from the stuff you do behind the scenes and the hate you receive by society for just breathing. Another thing I do not want to hear is ” well you asked for it.” I did not ask to be abused, lonely or mistreated. I am a human just like everyone else and deserve to be treated as one. I’m not a machine that works to make everyone else successful while I am the one putting in the blood, sweat and tears.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.priscillamoy.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/priscillamoy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priscillaashleymoy/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/priscillamoy
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13133145/

Image Credits
Nicholas Stevenson Lloyd Farris Roger Talley Nate Limback