Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Jin.
Hi Kristina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am 1st Generation Chinese-American, born in California, raised in Texas, spent a brief two years in Wisconsin, before moving to Atlanta in August 2021. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been very artistically inclined and imaginative – I was constantly creating and telling stories. But I had never even considered acting or filmmaking as a possibility.
In 2018, I watched Crazy Rich Asians and (as cliché or dumb as this sounds), I realized that Asian Americans could be actors. This is why representation is so crucial, I truly didn’t know that people from AAPI communities were allowed to be anything more than tokenism or comedic relief. Watching that monumental film planted a seed in my mind and after two years of wondering what “acting” was, I held my very first script to attend my first open call audition. And with absolutely no training or experience, I booked the role and I was hooked.
Of course, this was back in March 2020 and the world shut down shortly after. So I started training and taking as many virtual classes as I could. And during the Summer of 2021, I took another leap and relocated to Atlanta. Now I have representation in both the South East and South Central markets.
I have also recently begun writing and directing my own short films to grow my skills behind the camera as well. I hope to continue telling important stories that uplift underrepresented communities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey of self-development and growth will always be bumpy and full of twists. I had experience in other creative ventures – portrait photography and video production – so I was no stranger to learning a new craft.
Many creatives face similar struggles, both in the work and in themselves. For me, I struggled with whether or not I could do this. At the time, acting was completely foreign to me. All of my peers in the classroom, on stage, or on set, seemed to come from years of formal education or have way more experience than I did. I was constantly comparing myself to others and doubting my own skills and abilities. Was I good enough? Will anyone see my work? How come I’m not booking? What’s the point?
Fortunately, I was able to speak vulnerably with fellow actors and artists that revealed they all have the same fears and face similar challenges. That’s the beauty of being human, we are all constantly growing and learning at our own pace. We are not alone in our struggle.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actor, voiceover artist, director, photographer, and most importantly – a storyteller. I like to say that I am a jack of all trades, a master of some. We creatives are always expanding our toolboxes and learning new skills.
As an actor, I am mainly pursuing on-camera projects. In terms of photography and video, my goal is to create work that showcases authentic human experiences and moments.
The thing I am most proud of is my drive and determination. If I commit to a project or venture, I will work hard to see it through. And this is also what sets me apart from others. I am not afraid to try new things and dive straight into the deep end.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I love the human experience. It’s kind of strange to say but I find human behavior to be absolutely fascinating. What does it mean to be human? Are we inherently good or evil? What is love?
As an undergraduate, I studied Psychology at The University of Texas at Austin. I had originally wanted to go to grad school and train to become a Child Developmental Psychologist. I was fascinated by how young minds develop and observe the world around them. Of course, my plans drastically changed and I am no longer studying the mind and behavior – at least not in an academic setting.
In turn, my passion for understanding the mind and behavior has been quite useful. I am extremely empathetic and care deeply for others; this has translated into my creative work, and empathy is an invaluable resource in acting.
Contact Info:
- Website: kristinajin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinajin/
Image Credits:
Headshot by Chase Anderson Portraits by Kristina Jin ‘Proud to be Me’ Still by Helen Chan
