On Now Interview Series #12

With the celebrity Jarry Lee — Interview by ONNOW editor Naz Kisnisci 1. Hi Jarry, it is a pleasure to meet you. How would you describe PAP Magazine in 3 words? Thanks for having me! I would describe PAP as: innovative, inspired, bohemian. 2. Which issue's cover story was your all-time favorite cover story from PAP? It's hard to pick one favorite because I love so much of the work PAP has published. Some of my favorite cover stories include March 2021 ("Between life and death") and June 2021 ("Chronotope") for their unique, surreal photography style and bold colors. 3. Working in fashion is very stressful and hectic. How do you unwind after a busy day? I enjoy unwinding through long-distance runs, playing piano, cooking or baking, and petting my bengal cat Potato of course. 4. Growing up in Swansea, how was the experience growing up as Asian in a very British and predominantly white area. How did you overcome the difficulties, find the balance with your identity and heritage, and fit in? My family moved frequently all over the world during my childhood, so sometimes I feel like a bit of an international citizen. With each move, it became easier to adjust to meeting new people and to make new friends. Celebrating my heritage at home with my family in addition to keeping in touch with old friends online helped connect me to my roots. 5. How do you think your upbringing and unique cultural background being an Asian British-American shaped your career? Do you think it played a vital role? I'm not sure it has really played any major role beyond leading me to be more open-minded in general (through being exposed to multiple cultures), and that some casting directors find it interesting. 6. Who were your inspiration and the driving force in your decision to change from journalism to modeling and music? My decision to switch careers actually came about from burnout! I began to feel that my creativity was being sapped after working as a writer/editor for 4 years, so I did some introspection to rediscover my passions. I had always loved acting and music, so I rekindled those interests as side hobbies at first, then pivoted to them full-time as my entertainment career grew. 7. How do you think your time in working for Buzzfeed and in journalism has influenced or prepared you for your shift in your career path? My job definitely taught me how to navigate social media as a public-facing figure because BuzzFeed (and my articles for them) received so much attention online — and with that comes criticism, anonymous hate, trolls, etc. I also appeared on-camera in some videos, so that probably made me more comfortable with future on-camera work in general. Writing/journalism also helped improve my storytelling abilities, which of course comes in handy with acting. 8. What was your favorite look you have shot? So many favorites! I recently did a shoot for Argentinian designer Panni Margot in an avant-garde look that celebrated multiculturalism, and specifically Asian culture, which resonated with me on a deeper level. The clothing was stunning and allowed for dramatic movements on camera because of the fabric and structure of the garments. 9. What are some advice, tips, and tricks that you loved to use when growing your social media? I strongly believe in showing many different parts of your life (that you are comfortable with sharing) on social media, not just one "aesthetic feed." For example, don't be afraid to showcase your hobbies, personal life and interests, etc. Too many aspiring social media influencers focus solely on the aesthetic of their photos (i.e. fashion blog style), and don't realize that people are interested in seeing a more holistic picture of their lives and personality. I've received a lot of positive feedback when sharing about my day-to-day life, hobbies, relationships, pets, etc. 10. As a young artist yourself, do you mind telling us a bit about how you have tried to grow your brand and image? What advice would you give to young creatives like yourself? I tried to clearly define my brand and image early on, which is really essential to attracting and maintaining a loyal audience. And exploring your identity and embracing your unique quirks is critical. People want to see people who they can relate to. Don't be afraid of showing that you're human; the illusion of perfection is overrated. 11. Many young people are sometimes baffled and confused about choosing their profession and studying at university. What is your advice or ways that could help young professionals to make a better choice? In this day and age, careers are more flexible than ever before. I think it's important for young professionals to remember that the career they start in may not be the industry they stay in forever, and that that's OK. With social media and digital career opportunities taking off, it's increasingly possible to create one's own dream job. So stress less about planning out your entire life's career path while in school, and focus more on discovering your sustainable passions. 12. As a model, you travel a lot. Can you tell us what the must-haves are that you bring on every trip? Definitely sunscreen, first off! It's so important to protect your skin no matter where you travel, and it's easy to forget when you're in a location that's not warm and tropical. I always pack skincare masks and serums as well to recharge my skin when I have downtime during travels. 13. Who are your favorite designers now? What do you think will be the next trend in fashion? Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Betsey Johnson, Commes des Garcons, Viktor & Rolf, Thierry Mugler, Balmain. One trend I've been seeing lately is checkered prints! I love bold patterns and colors so I'm very much into it. 14. At PAP, we are very passionate about emerging brands and slow fashion. What are some of your favorite upcoming brands? Favorite smaller and upcoming brands include VIDEMUS OMNIA, Mukzin, Opunique, Verafied, Bee & Kin, W.Awake, AI Toronto, Stivali. 15. Do you have a favorite era in fashion? My favorite fashion era is actually now, because we are seeing so many traditional fashion "rules" being broken that it's a really exciting time for creativity and individuality in the industry. 16. Can you explain to us briefly your bedtime routine? And introduce our readers to your favorite tricks and products? I usually end the day by drinking a bottle of water and doing my nighttime skincare routine before bed. I cleanse my face with micellar water (from Bioderma) and rose petal witch hazel toner (from Thayers), then apply a vitamin C or hyaluronic acid serum, followed by either a collagen mask or a night cream with retinol (from Olay), plus an under-eye night cream with retinol (also from Olay). And wearing a comfortable eye mask (silk or anti-microbial) can help shut out any distracting light. Some people swear by silk or satin pillowcases but I don't find that they make a huge difference (though they are comfy to sleep on)! 17. Working in the entertainment industry, do you feel there is enough Asian representation? How do you think we could help to raise awareness as a whole? There's still a scarcity of leading/major roles for Asians in the industry, so while there has been great progress made over these past few years, we still have a long way to go. Awareness