DailyMood.it interviewed Asian-American supermodel, actress and advocate JULIA LEE

DailyMood.it interviewed Asian-American supermodel, actress and advocate JULIA LEE (@ItsJuliaLee) she has walked numerous international runways, graced covers such as Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel and has been the face of some of fashion’s top brands and beauty all over the world to the point of becoming one of the most sought-after models of his generation. Now embarking on a new journey, she is honing her acting skills and moving on to work in television and film, following in the footsteps of some of her contemporary role models such as Cara Delevingne and Emily Ratajkowski.

Born just outside of Philadelphia, Lee is of Chinese and Vietnamese descent. An advocate for better representation of Asian Americans in the media and fashion world (known for their limited selection of Asians in the industry), she is working tirelessly to end stigma and stereotypes and for a more inclusive industry.

DAILYMOO.IT We know that as a young girl you were a talented pianist. What did music represent for you?
JULIA LEE: When I was young, playing piano felt more like I was living out my mom’s dream than mine. I wanted to play sports. Looking back, I really appreciate the skillsets they embedded in me such as memorization, focus, and consistency. Playing a song 10 times perfect in a row before I could go to bed will do that to you.
During the pandemic, I found myself drawn to the songs of my youth. It brought out a youthful joy from deep inside me to relive my childhood music through a new expression of my grown self. In a way it reminded me of that feeling when anybody could listen to and connect with the playing – which I did not necessarily fully appreciate as a child. Anyone can connect with my expression. There are no words, just sound.

Julia Lee – ©Kezi Ban

DM: Art has many faces, do you feel like an “Artistic” person?
JL: Absolutely. I think everybody is artistic. It’s just about finding a medium to channel ones expression. Growing up, it was through sewing my own belts and making jewelry. Now, it comes out even in simple things like cooking.
I think being artistic means doing something with love and putting passion, fire, and life into it. If I sit in a chair and am naturally posing and expressing myself with my body, that’s artistic. You can literally be artistic with anything and everything you do in life!

DM: How did your modeling career start and what is the best memory you have of this profession?
JL: As a teenager, I was scouted at my local mall for Philly Fashion Week. I was picked as 1 of 10 finalists to walk the show, but my Mom wouldn’t let me participate. After thinking about “what if” for a year, I tried out the next year. When I was picked, I didn’t tell my parents and skipped school to do the fashion show. The REBEL was born!
My favorite memory was shooting for the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam. I worked with an incredibly talented team including stylist Kevin Parker who heads Philly Fashion Week with Kerry Scott. Philly Fashion Week is where my modeling career started, so it was one of my full circle moments. Vietnam is where my father, who had passed not long ago, was from. I may not have known it in the moment, but the kismet was undeniable. This whole journey of pursuing modeling as a career was not always smooth. My traditional upbringing did not lend itself to the wanderlust career of modeling, and my parents unknowingly made sure I knew that. There were moments where I felt unsure if I was making the right decisions because it felt like everyone close to me wanted me to go on a different path. So getting this cover was an affirmation in my belief in myself, and that chasing my dreams was worth the leap.

DM: What does it mean to you to be an Asian model? Have you found particular difficulties in establishing yourself in the fashion world?
JL: Being an Asian model means that I am being picked or cast by clients with one of the fundamentals reasons being: I am Asian. There was meaning behind picking me: whether that is to effectively market to a certain group (often the “Woke Approval”), or to fill a specific role (the “pretty Asian girl”). Asides from filling checkboxes, being hired as solely a model means that I am being picked because of statistics like my measurements and how I fit the clothes (plus being likable – which helps determine who clients decide to work with).
The biggest difficulty I face is feeling like I’m not being seen. I’ve been told by the industry that I’m too pretty, I’m not Asian enough, that I just don’t fit their standard for how they think Asians should be portrayed (which is looking exotic or traditional). As an Asian American, specifically a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese, I often felt like I didn’t fit in the box that clients, casting directors, and agents wanted to put me in based on seeing my stats like Asian ethnicity, height, hair color, eye color, etc.

DM:  In this regard, we know that you are particularly active in improving the representation of Asian Americans in the media and in the world of models. What does it mean to be “Activists” nowadays?
JL: I think being an activist means taking action towards a cause for the greater good with the intention of making a positive impact. I think it’s about moving through life pushing for a purpose that’s much bigger than oneself. It’s about inspiring others to think about the way they act and make a change collectively.

DM: Are you attracted to the world of the ‘seventh art’? In what kind of film would you like to act?
JL: While I will always cherish my experiences as a model, I’ve been exploring new creative outlets and have been pursuing more acting opportunities. I’m ready to express myself through words, body language, and bring characters to life in a way that modeling doesn’t always allow for.
I would love to play the role of a professional athlete. I admire professional athletes for how committed and in love they are with their sport. I think I could bring my experience playing piano to the table to make for a dynamic leading role. It would certainly be interesting to highlight a female Asian athlete since they are almost entirely overlooked, and severely underrepresented.

DM: What would you recommend to a girl who wants to start your profession?
JL: Take your time with it. Your career is not over once you hit 18 years old. Be yourself, that’s the best selling point you have rather than trying to fit into what you think the industry wants you to be. The camera does not lie and picks up what’s real – like your emotion and imperfections, so it’s important to make sure you’re bringing your true self forward.

DM: Can you tell us about your future projects?
JL: I just returned from the British Virgin Islands where I modeled at Summer Sizzle, an international fashion and lifestyle event. I walked for many designers and created some interviews with them that I am really proud of and will be posting on social media soon. It was nice to have intimate moments, getting to know the designers one-on-one, since during fashion shows quality time to just sit down and talk is nearly impossible.    

I plan to go to NYFW and attend and walk some shows. After that, I’m planning a trip for Fall or early Winter to travel to Vietnam and connect with my Vietnamese heritage. In between model bookings and content creation, I’m focusing on my acting and building my brand.

Photo/ Najah Mansur @munglassy

DM: Social Media: how important have they become for a person who does your business?
JL: Very important! I can’t name a casting or audition where I didn’t have to put down my social media handles. It lets clients get to know you a bit better than a 2 minute audition tape. The added colour is invaluable to maximizing the impact of marrying your interior with your exterior.

DM: Do you find it right and correct that often fashion and the choice of models, is influenced by social media?
JL: Absolutely. I think nowadays, clients want to know more about the model before booking. After all, there’s more to it than being just a pretty face. Today, I think that there is a lot of crossover between models and “influencers” when clients book talent. I think ideally a client should book a model who is experienced with posing & walking, and it’s a plus if they have a social media presence. This industry is competitive and social media brings another layer to it. I think it is a positive when the social media is an additive to the model, but not the defining factor. Think of it as more of a partnership with You than just hiring your looks.

DM:Do you like Italy? Can you leave a greeting to all DailyMood.it readers who will soon read your interview?
JL: I LOVE Italy! I’ve lived in Milan for a total of 7 months and had life changing experiences. I related to the cultural similarities like the importance of food bringing the family together and even little things like hang-drying clothes. I would love to visit Capri next. My friend recommended La Minerva Capri to stay. I heard it’s a beautiful romantic getaway!

Ciao, sono Giulia. Sono entusiasta di condividere con voi qualcosa su di me e spero di poter venire presto a visitare l’Italia!

Grazie a te Julia dalla Redazione di DailyMood.it

di Emma Mariani