Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Ting Chen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, when I was eight years old, our family moved to San Antonio, TX.
I wasn’t encouraged to go into arts or drama as a child and was pushed strongly toward academics. Being the spunky girl that I am, I arranged small musicals to perform at home for the family, it was my outlet! After graduating high school, I went on to get my bachelors from The University of Texas at Austin in Spanish and Business. Despite my upbringing, academics do not come easily to me at all, my schoolwork was always a struggle. While at UT, I discovered modeling and commercial acting in the Texas market. For my first gig, someone asked me to be a spokesmodel for a cell phone ad and to shoot it in their garage. Being the naive young woman, I was… I said okay, without thinking of the possible consequences. Luckily, I found the ONE person on the internet who was actually shooting a real commercial in his garage. Thanks to meeting that guy in his garage, I became a spokesmodel for an Alaskan phone company for a few years. I did check my references before going so I highly suggest everyone do that BEFORE SAYING YES TO SUCH STRANGE REQUESTS! Also, you should probably bring a friend or a heavily armed guard along with you.
While in Austin I studied Meisner under the well-respected coach Laurel Vouvray and booked a range of roles in the Texas commercial and indie scene over the next five years.
In December of 2016, I was a finalist selected from 10,000+ nationwide submissions for CBS’s Diversity Drama Initiative Program. It was then I realized that I actually do have the potential to do more than just commercials and small indie projects. Soon after, I decided Atlanta would need to be the next stop in my career, and immediately signed with an Atlanta agent to begin auditioning and flying in for bookings while still basing out of Texas.
My career came to a sudden halt when my father had two consecutive strokes in early 2017 and I moved back to San Antonio to support my family. And if there is anything I’d suggest to those who are suffering through traumatic family medical issues, there is light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how bleak it seems. Just keep pushing, and never be afraid to ask for help. After a grueling six months, I was able to fully resume my acting career.
In 2018, after booking my first recurring co-star role, an HGTV hosting spot, and a lead female role in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu themed independent feature “Lion Killer” filmed in Houston, I decided that I was finally ready to make the official move to Atlanta and hustle directly out of that market. Lion Killer brought out a level of creativity and vulnerability in me that I never thought was possible. It is currently in post-production and I can’t wait to see what the Fury’s have created as a team!
I’ve been in Atlanta for four months and have booked another two co-star roles and another hosting spot for a huge commercial brand that I can’t reveal until later! I’m SO happy with my move! I do miss my family very much, especially my Turtle Grandma (she looks like a turtle and is very scary), but I can’t imagine living anywhere else. My schedule starts at 5am, and I spring out of bed every day thinking “Today is the day!” Man what a great feeling to get another day to do all the things that I love! Yes, I’m seriously this cheesy and motivational with myself.
I also kickbox like a champ regularly – it’s my outlet, along with playing with Kali sticks. I also have the cutest Labradoodle named Chewie who is legit the love of my life. LOVEEEEE of my life. He has taught me a range of emotions that I can apply to all of my scene work. 🙂
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
3 Key Struggles:
1) I mentioned my dad’s stroke previously. That was such a hard time for my entire family. He’s finally in a good skilled nursing home in San Antonio, TX and everyone can get back to their own grind as well.
2) Self-confidence did not kick in till later which led to my official move to Atlanta from Houston, TX. I’m very particular in all the things that I do and I don’t take HUGE risks until I’m fully prepared. Internally, I didn’t feel that I had the acting chops, understanding the market, auditions, show tones, etc. until I had enough experience auditioning/booking to know that it was finally time for my big move.
3) Financial stability is one of every actor’s biggest struggle. It took me four years to set myself up for the most ideal work from home job. I figured out what it took to get those types of jobs that paid enough for me to make bills, so I went and learned ALL the things. Fail, repeat, fail, repeat, success, success, success. Anyone I’ve worked for knows that I put 110% into supporting them and that’s why I have the most ideal work from home set up. My bosses all know that I take care of them first and foremost, so they are also in turn, extremely supportive of my acting career. I could not be more thankful on a daily basis and I continue to wake up every day excited to make sure my work is done for them so that I can make room for my passion. Today is the day! Live it like my last making everyone and myself happy!
Regina Ting Chen – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m an actress so I am my own business. But I’m also a virtual assistant and a really badass one at that. I’m tech savvy, OCD organized, and hungry to work the moment I wake up. I have a positive attitude the moment I bounce out of bed at 5am, which is a time I chose to wake up. It’s not required LOL.
I’m proud of the progress I’ve made in my acting career so far. The Asian American presence in entertainment is growing slowly but surely. I’m just happy to be a part of that growth and I know every day I’m giving it my 100% to make sure that when the opportunity arrives, I’m ALREADY good to go.
I think the only thing that sets me apart from others is that I’m a tall Chinese woman – 5’8″! I don’t know how that’ll affect me in my career going forward, but we shall find out!
Oh! I also randomly discovered that I can paint relatively well. Check out my art at www.tingspetpaintings.com/customgallery. One day, I felt like I wanted to try painting on a canvas, didn’t take a class or anything, and suddenly AN ANIMAL APPEAREDDDD!!!!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Moving to Atlanta. Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve somehow found more clarity in my life as a whole. I feel strongly that timing is everything and that my move was at the most ideal time for my personal self-confidence, level of experience, and point in my life.
I know it sounds kind of cliche, but truly this single move has been all positive. My army of support – my incredible mentors and friends, my family, my circle, my self-created structure, everything is so great. I’m so scared to lose it all tomorrow so today is the day for me to be thankful for all of it!!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reginatingchen.com
- Phone: 210-643-3291
- Email: reginatingchen@gmail.com
- Instagram: reginatingchen
- Facebook: reginatingchen
- Twitter: reginatingchen
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