Interview with Jess Khan-Lee

Hello dear Jess! I'm very happy to have you on our interview. So welcome! How are you feeling?

— Hello! The sun is out so I’m feeling great. Thanks for having me.

At the beginning of my interviews, I always ask our traditional question: at what point of your life did you decide to become an actress? Was it a childhood dream or a purposeful choice?

— At age 10 I told my parents I wanted to be an actor and a marine biologist. Before that I’d wanted to be a ballerina. As I got older I moved more into musical theatre and acting. But I always knew I was meant for this world.

Your filmography consists of various projects. For example «Blade: The Series», «The Dead Zone», the new movie «Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning». Please tell us, which project was the most significant and interesting for you?

— It’s tough to choose because I learn something for every set I’m on and from each character I play. My first ever TV series job is special because a whole new world opened up to me and I fell in love. Of course, Mission Impossible, because of I learned so much from Tom and McQ about filmmaking. And it’s historic. And I’m a huge fan. I also loved shooting Hotel Costiera, coming out this autumn, because my character is complex and wild. I really feel a bond with her.

What has been the most challenging role for you and why?

— Mission Impossible. Not because of the character, but because of the weight of responsibility I felt to do a good job, to earn my place in the film, on the set, and opposite such tremendous actors in this famed franchise.

You're also doing voice-overs for video games. That's impressive! Tell us something you enjoy the most about this aspect of your work?

— VO is new to me, so I wasn’t too confident going into it. But my voice work was in conjunction with doing performance capture, so I had the benefit of acting as if I was on screen. It was only certain scenes that I recorded only my voice, and I did the last, so I was warmed up to it by then. I had to be conscious to give my performance vocal variety so I could convey emotion as I couldn’t rely on body language. It was a great challenge. It’s made me a better actor. Also I was working in an accent that wasn’t my own, which I love to do.

We know that you are seriously involved in choreography and martial arts. Could you please share with us why you chose these areas?

— Years ago I saw the film Girlfight. It resonated with me. There was something about myself I saw in Michelle Rodriguez’s character, Diana. A fire lit within me. But I was focussed on dance, so I never explored my draw to martial arts. It wasn’t until years later when I was in Thailand and started training Muay Thai did I remember that feeling I had had. And I was hooked. Recently my focus has moved from Muay Thai to Wing Chun. I love the power of Muay Thai and the artistry of Wing Chun. I just fell into choreography. It was never an aim. Opportunity just found me. The part of choreography I’m drawn to is the story. When I’m in the zone, ideas come to me like lighting bolts. But I’m not always in the zone, so sometimes I’m frustrated when I feel stuck. That’s the creative experience. I’m so grateful for the chances I’ve had to expand that skill set. It’s not my focus but I’m always open to projects if they’re the right fit.

We can't help but ask you about the world's most famous movie «Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning», in which you played the role of Marine Sergeant Rivera! Please tell us about the emotions you got during the shooting.

— Wonderment.

Have you watched the previous «Mission: Impossible» movies to get a better feel for that universe?

— I’m a fan so I’d seen them all. I knew what I was getting into. At least I thought I did. The experience itself was beyond what I had imagined.

Are there any favorite behind-the-scenes stories you can share with us?

— It was Tom’s 60th birthday. All the cast and crew gathered on set and we turned off all the lights. When Tom walked on set, we hit the multicoloured lights and blasted Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday”. Angela Bassett got on the mic and sang along to Tom, who had a little boogie.

Did you have a location you enjoyed filming in more than others?

— Rome, for Hotel Costiera.

Which cast and crew members did you like working with the most?

— There are too many to name for actors. So I will highlight Christopher McQuarrie (director of Mission Impossible) and Adam Bernstein (director of Hotel Costiera). Both brilliant, generous, and genuinely kind and funny humans.

Over the years of acting, have you formed a special way of preparing for your roles?

— I’m Meisner trained, and had it drilled into me to know my lines cold. It gives me freedom. I’m more malleable and responsive. I discover more possibility. I suppose that mirrors the dancer in me. It might seen counter intuitive but knowing the choreography gives me more freedom to explore each movement. Music also elicits a strong emotional response in me and puts my mind in a creative state. So that’s a tool I sometimes use.

Do you have a genre you haven't starred in yet but would really love to?

— A Wes Anderson film. It’s not a genre, I know. So I’m not really answering the question. But stylistically he is a category of his own.

I really love finding connections between those actors I've already interviewed and the ones to be interviewed. Stephen Oyoung was in the same cast as you in «Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning». Did you get to work together on set?

— We didn’t work together but we did meet on set. We were both watching Tom shoot the submarine sequence, and he introduced us. I was really happy to have a fellow Asian actor on set. Especially on such a high profile film.

Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?

— Outdoor climbing. Reading under trees. Generally anything in nature.

Favorite TV series?

— «Friends».

Favorite game?

— Hide & Seek in the dark.

Favorite book?

— «The Little Prince» by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Favorite quote?

— «The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…» - Jack Kerouac.

Favorite color?

— Red.

Your favorite singer/band?

— Freddie Mercury.

Your favorite song?

— The Jurassic Park theme song.

Three recent songs you've added to your playlist?

— Classical & Funk tracks.

What's your Hogwarts House?

— Gryffindor .

Describe yourself in 3 words.

— I’m still learning.

Do you have an idol and if you do, who is it and why?

— Sir David Attenborough. He’s our teacher of the extraordinary natural world we live in.

What superpower would you like to have and why?

— To be fluent in every language, including of animals and plants.