We caught up with Audrey Hsieh to discuss her films ‘Mixtape’ and ‘Here Today’, as well as chat about her wider career in the industry.
Read on below for Audrey’s interview with Courageous Nerd. Or, check out the video version on YouTube, linked below.
How did you first get started in acting? Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?
Audrey Hsieh: Originally, when I was 6 years old, I was approached by a scout. It seemed like a fun thing to do, so I was like, “Oh, why not just do it?” My parents told me even if I didn’t get approached by the scout, they were planning to get me into acting. I just had so much energy to expend that they didn’t know what to do with me. It was just for fun, originally.
What’s been your biggest learning experience so far since starting your career?
Audrey Hsieh: I would say my biggest learning experience would probably be all the rejection. In this industry, you’re going to get rejected more than you get hired. I think the biggest hurdle for a lot of actors is probably the rejection. You need to grow a little bit of tough skin and not take it personally. It’s not personal, they just found someone who might be a better fit than you. That’s fine, you know? It’s definitely one of the hurdles I really had to jump over.
You played “Ellen” in Mixtape for Netflix. For anyone who is unfamiliar, could you describe the film and your character’s role in the story?
Audrey Hsieh: Mixtape is a movie about a 12-year-old girl, Beverly and she lives with her grandmother. One day, she finds a mixtape from her deceased parents and decides to look for all these songs. She wants to bond with her deceased parents, see if they left any sort of message. On the way, she makes friends and discovers herself.
One of the friends she makes is my character, Ellen. It takes place in 1999-early 2000s, around there. She’s very bold and just wants to have a good time.
What did you most enjoy about working on a Netflix production?
Audrey Hsieh: I will say, the whole experience was handled really well. Especially during COVID, Netflix took really good care of us. They followed all the guidelines, all the precautions and made sure we weren’t uncomfortable at any time.
For Mixtape, it was such a warm environment. The cast was really nice and I don’t why, but that really surprised me. So generous, so conversational and I liked the environment we established.
You also had a role in Here Today, a 2021 feature starring Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish. How was your experience working on this project?
Audrey Hsieh: That one was amazing. I got to go to New York for the very first time. It’s a big step. Honestly, it was a little intimidating because that was my first big film – actually, my first film. There were all these amazing names. Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish, Penn Badgley. All these amazing people and then there’s me. So, I was really nervous [about whether] I could match their performance. I definitely learned a lot and everybody was really nice, too. It was a great time.
What else can people expect from Audrey Hsieh in the near future?
Audrey Hsieh: For right now, I don’t have anything lined up. I’m focusing on college, because right now in my senior year [of High School]. There’s a lot of work with college there and a lot of nerves, so yeah.
For people who want to keep up with what you’re doing, where can they find you on social media?
Audrey Hsieh: You can find me on Instagram @audreyhsieh_
Lastly, what do you hope to accomplish with the rest of 2022?
Audrey Hsieh: Man, my standards a pretty low. I just want to get into college! A good college, that’s what I’m hoping for right now. Actually, another thing, I want to start talking to more people. Due to COVID, I’ve started reclusing a little bit. I want to get back out there.
