XIN WANG

What inspired you to become an actress and what made you decide to choose Paris to start your acting career?

I never dreamt of being an actress when I was a kid… It was almost like an accident. I was modelling in Paris. There was a casting director, Stephen Touitou, who was looking for an actress who could speak Chinese for a feature film, as there were not a lot of Chinese actresses in Paris at that time, so he started to look for someone through Model Agencies. So I met him, I did the audition. And he claimed that If I liked acting he could introduce me to a talent agency. That was how it all started. I was millions of miles from movies, as I was still a student at the time.


How much do you identify with your Chinese heritage?

I was born and raised in Tianjin, China. This is my culture, my heritage, my mother language. I am 100% Chinese. Even though I travelled around the world, and was introduced to many cultures, I value my roots. They keep me grounded.


  Describe your recent roles and strongest credits.  

The covid situation was kind of a pause for most actor’s careers but I bounced back. I am currently shooting a new Show called “model to mother”, it’s a short format comedy that I produce, co-write and direct with my life partner Emmanuel Sapolsky. It’s coming out in July. Hope you will like it.


Of all the roles you have played in the past, which is your favourite?

I could name many but I had an amazing experience with the movie “The Lack”, by Masbedo. My character, Xiu, was travelling the world as a tribute to her father. The movie was so unique and primitive, it was selected at the Venise film festival.


What is the first thing you do to research and approach a role?

I read the whole script, and not only my pages…. hahaha… Seriously, as I am also a writer, I try to give as much respect as I can to the script. great respect for those who can craft a screenplay. As an Asian Woman, it can be difficult to land roles so, I approach the part as simple as possible and try to give my best to fit the needs of the director. I see acting as a tool for storytelling and I don’t want to be trouble on the set. As deep as my approach can be, this is the writer and the director’s vision that matters. 


You have acted in English, French and Chinese films. How do you develop accents for specific roles?

That’s a great question. Sometimes I need to play with my accent for a role, sometimes I need to erase it as much as possible. It can be an issue sometimes. People can expect me with an imaginary Chinese accent. My accent is part of my personality, some say my charm hehe. Jane Birkin made a career in France with a pretty heavy accent. I’m sure once you’ll get used to the melody of my voice, you’ll appreciate it.


You have been chosen as the leading actress very often and have also been awarded many prizes, what is the story behind your success?

Americans have a word for that. Resilience! I like that word because it means that even if you are rejected, fired, ghosted, ignored, with a lot of work, self-awareness, you can build a career. It may not be the one you imagined or dreamt of, but it’s something of your own. I saw famous actors who felt miserable because they wanted to do drama and kept on shooting comedies. We are not the ones in control of our careers. We just pretend to the best of our abilities in front of a camera. The second part of your question was about Awards. Let me tell you something about prizes in general. They don’t necessarily sanction the best talent, it’s not like a Nobel Prize.


What makes you motivated when you are in a struggle?

Now a 4 years old little girl monster at home, she's motivating me every day to do better. 😜


What is something that you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as an actor?

Don’t believe that because you got the part, you made it. Actually, the work starts right there. Because you will fail most of the auditions. And not because you’re bad! A film is a recipe. Everything has to match. For example, I’m pretty tall, and it can be a problem when the lead actor is 15 cm shorter than me. So, being an actor you have to learn to live with a lot of frustrations. And now that I'm also a producer, I see the other side of the industry. There are so many factors that lead to the decision. I wish I would have known this before.

Today you are also a producer and a screenwriter. What kind of films do you want to make?

Sincerely, I like many genres, as long as the story makes me get off my chair, and forget about time. a preference for Comedies and Thrillers, but I love Social issues and Art houses. I also became addicted to documentaries.


  What's the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” has been attributed to Confucius. If he probably never said that, the quote feels right. So I stick to it and I am happy doing so. It was a leap of faith as I studied luxury Marketing and got an MBA degree for it. My parents were quite concerned about that drastic change of path.


  What is the best advice you can give?

Chase your dreams, otherwise, your nightmares will chase you!


  If you could start all over again, what would you do differently?

Start my acting and producer career at the same time. You learn patience and respect by being in the other person’s shoes for a while.


What's the best career decision you've ever made?

Come to Paris.


What is today's single most important goal?

As french say : “Finir en Beauté” . I don’t know if you translate that right! English would say: “End on a high note”. The translation refers to music as the French refer to “Panache”.


How do they make decisions based on the 'what to do' and 'what not to do' approach?

Not at all, I prefer to listen to my intuition.


What activities do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare Time? What are you talking about, I’m a mother now! There’s no such thing as spare time.


  How do they balance Family and Work?

I don’t balance. I work with my family. And I put my family to work! My house is a studio, a writer’s room, a post-production facility… And there’s a kitchen cause I love to cook. 😂


What is the next step for Xin Wang?

Learning all the technical aspects of Directing. I need to enhance my skills.


What are you most proud of and what dreams or goals would you like to fulfil?

I wrote a script with my partner Emmanuel Sapolsky “Little Tin Cook”, I’d really love people to discover this unique story. It’s a homage to my hometown and my unique family: Especially my parents, I would really like to Direct this movie 🎥 for them as much as for myself.


  What is one message you would give to your fans?

Follow me on my new series “model_to_mother” on TikTok and Instagram. Coming this summer! "Self Promo". This is what Influencers do right? A new job to learn. hahaha...

“Thank you for taking time out for our questions, we look forward to your future endeavours.”