We recently connected with Viveca Chow and have shared our conversation below.

Viveca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

When I grew up, creativity was not always celebrated in my culture. I remember being in Kindergarten and was asked to draw a “sun, tree and flowers” on a piece of paper in class. I finished early and decided to add a smiley face to my sun. I was a happy kid and thought it would be a nice touch to my piece. I immediately got in trouble because I “didn’t follow the rules.” After this incident, my parents transferred me to a school that nurtured my creative abilities and they were never shy of unconditionally supporting me in my endeavors as well.

I am very lucky to have been surrounded by a family that understood my need for creative artistic expression. My creativity has never wavered, and since I was 9, I wanted to be a Broadway Performer. Storytelling has always been a part of my life. Being creative is how I make sense of the world around me. Not only am I able to express myself freely, I am also able to impact my community as a Creative–and to me, there is no greater fulfillment than that.

I have definitely wondered what it would be like to have a regular 9-5, but I know myself enough that I would not be fulfilled and happy. So I know I’m doing the right thing–living a life filled with joy and passion following my heart.

Viveca, 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 NYC Lifestyle Expert and Performer. I moved to America 11 years ago from Hong Kong and became the first Hong Kong born and raised Broadway musical performer (it was pretty cool rewriting history)!

From Swinging on Broadway, to being featured on Netflix and Apple TV+, I love how my skills as a performer have translated to being a Lifestyle expert. I have collaborated with and generated content for over 550 brands like Capital One and Samsung across various social platforms. I am grateful my expertise has garnered myself features in notable outlets such as NBC, CNN, Cheddar News, South China Morning Post and Tatler Asia.

With 100m views and counting alongside a combined audience of 242k followers, I create bite-sized videos to uplift small/local businesses, amplify Chinatown and empower New Yorkers to live their life to the fullest in their own city.

My most recent theatre credits include Miss Saigon (Broadway Revival) and Farewell My Concubine (with Jason Robert Brown). Other television and film credits include: The Country Club (starring Elaine Hendrix), Exception(al) (directed by Michelle Bossy), The Other Two (MAX), Dear Edward (Apple TV+) and Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel (Netflix). I was also chosen out of 20,000 actors to be a part of one of the most competitive industry showcases in the world, the Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase in 2022.

I hope to continue to inspire my community and beyond leading with creativity, positivity and adventure.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve always wanted the world to be a little kinder and for everyone to lean into empathy a little more. Quoting one of the most iconic movies of all time, Mean Girls, “I wish we could all get along…”

I’ve always loved how a show (TV or stage) was able to move, transport and challenge me. There are some shows that have left me speechless and I couldn’t stop thinking about the themes and plot long after it’s over. I want to be able to do this for the world–I want to make someone laugh a little harder, feel a little less lonely and maybe even ruffle their feathers a little bit on something they disagreed with.

This extends to my work as a Creator too! Storytelling in any form really encourages empathy and exposure to unfamiliar things. I’m a huge fan of that.

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

Even if you don’t think you’re creative, remember when I say this: It’s not that you’re a non-creative, it’s just that you haven’t tapped into your creativity yet.

Having a large social presence, I’m putting myself out for uninvited criticism and judgement. One of them being “you don’t have a real job.” While the schedule of any creative is unpredictable, it’s true that I don’t have a typical 9-5. In fact, I consider my job as a 24/7 job.

I’m always “on” and my brain is always working. Everything I do, see, hear could potentially be inspiration for my next creative project. I sometimes really struggle with staying present because I’m always living in work mode. This is one of the challenges when you merge personal passions as your job. I’m always taking notes, saving things, writing things down as these sparks come to me. I also spend a lot of my days maintaining my brand image and social accounts. As both a performer and creator, I am my own talent, agent, PR publicist, director, editor, creative director, producer and more. That’s 7 hats in one!

So it definitely maybe an unconventional route, but it doesn’t make it any less valid!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.helloitsviveca.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/vivecachow
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@vivecachow

Image Credits
Personal Photos: Sam Pickart Photography