Meet Aileen Kyoko | Actress & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aileen Kyoko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aileen, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Probably the decision to “just do it” (thanks, Nike) when it comes to going after anything that scares me. I’ve stood at a standstill for too long in the past, wrecking myself of perfectionism, self-doubt, and creative blocks. These days, I’m trying to let every leap of faith teach me lessons that you only get from playing in the ring.
Surrounding myself with empathetic, interesting, and positive people has also made a huge difference. Recently, I worked on a film set where the energy was incredible. The team was very intentional in finding their dream crew, emphasizing the importance of enthusiasm and positive vibes. It might sound corny, but that kind of energy and dedication is essential and deeply appreciated during long hours.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an actress, writer (theatre and film) and a photographer (www.aileenkyokophotography.com). Since I was little I saw making art as fun and play but also healing and transformative. It saved me through rough times and has helped me make meaning out of the uncertainties and rockiness of life.

I’ve noticed that the older I’ve gotten, the more I am able to approach making art with purity, joy and less ego. I’ve also found that I hold myself back less. As an actress, I’m attempting to both disappear into a role and come face to face with a sense of trueness.

I think the biggest challenge I’ve had to overcome is self-doubt. It never 100% goes away but I’m working on momentum versus stalling when these negative thoughts come up. Art is so personal yet universal so connecting with that gut instinct to keep going because it does matter is what I try to follow.

2024 has been a fulfilling year as an artist! Earlier this year, I portrayed a character named Lara in a beautiful and raw indie film called “The Creep from the Bar Last Night”. Working alongside a talented team, we told a vulnerable story about grief, addiction, and trauma.

I also recently wrote “Bye Bye Blackbird”, a short film about the Japanese American internment camps during World War II. The story delves into race, culture, female friendship, and repression. It’s my first fully dramatic script, and I’m excited to seek funding to tell this story from the perspective of a Japanese American woman.

This fall, I’ll be playing Jade in the production of a new play, “More Quiet, More Noise”, at the Whitefire Theatre in Los Angeles. I’ve been co-writing this play with writer/performer Hunter Gardner for a few years. The play challenges our perceptions of love, loneliness, and the facades we maintain. Stay tuned—”More Quiet, More Noise” will run every Thursday for six weeks starting October 17th.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ahh! To be honest, I’m trying to know MORE!! Someone take me out! But here’s a few of my fav spots, it’s mostly food related because yes I am a foodie, especially for Asian & Italian food.

Favorite Brunch spots: Perilla LA in Ktown (the banchan!), Courage Bagels in Silverlake (arrive terribly early on weekends to skip the line), Azay in Japantown (for those who love Japanese breakfast), Amara’s cafe in Pasadena (the burrito, I can’t), Homestate tacos (affordable and delish) in Pasadena.

Matcha lattes/coffee from Yeems and MCO -both in Koreatown (matcha lattes taste better at Asian-owned places, it’s just the truth)!

Dinner: Formosa Cafe (that historical Hollywood vibe), Jones Cafe (the vibe, the vibe), Jon and Vinny’s (the pasta, I die), BCD Tofu (Korean diner-like cuisine at its finest), Bone Kettle (a Southeast Asian dream), Cafe Gratitude (a guilt-free treat).

Feel sexy and cool getting cocktails at The Prince, Employees Only, Death & Co or Laurel Hardware

It’s not LA without a low-impact workout: Pilates at Dr Pilates and yoga at Hot8

For SOME FUN: A show at the Groundlings (gets my abs working), The Getty Museum in Malibu (so I can pretend to be Lana Del Rey), The Griffith Observatory (Recently rewatched Rebel Without a Cause!) Will Rogers State Beach (it’s a secret go to- now no longer a secret), still looking for a good indie movie theatre!

For SOME PEACE: Descanso Gardens, Huntington Library & the Self-Realization Center in Malibu

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
-My acting mentors who have believed in me & supported me: Mark St. Cyr, MARS, Jordan Shappell (my acting coach) and Emy Mercado (my middle school drama teacher)!

-Friends who have collaborated with me, read my scripts, and inspired me with their insane talent: Cassandra Hunter, MARS, Jessie Goodman, Lucia Sawh, Ezra Bynum, Michael Coppola, Therés Amee, Hunter Gardner, Sonja O’Hara, Stephan Herrera to name a few!

-The Last Acting Studio in Los Angeles run by Desean Terry
-My community from the Maggie Flanigan Studio in New York City

My Dad and Mark St. Cyr for teaching me photography. My mother for reading my scripts.

Website: https://www.aileenkyoko.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/aileenkyoko

Other: aileenkyokophotography.com

Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aileenkyoko

Image Credits
Saint Street Photography except for the I phone ones!