Meet Juliette Lin | Actor & Writer

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

Hi Juliette, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is, undoubtedly, the community that I’ve had behind me.

Before I was diagnosed with cancer, I always thought I had to be fully self-reliant in order to be “successful.” If I received any help, that would make me a failure. It was only through my treatment and recovery process that I learned that this was not the case.

As soon as I started chemotherapy, I was forced to succumb to the reality that I could not survive on my own. My team of doctors and medical professionals guided me through medications and treatment plans. My family spoon fed me meals and held me up to walk; my friends checked in on me and sent me daily puppy pictures to cheer me up.

When I entered remission, I was fully aware that my community was the most vital and life-saving part of my journey, and I learned to embrace them in all other aspects of my life.

As an actor, I have found community in my fellow actors, writers, and other creatives. I have learned so much from those who have come decades before me, as well as those who are just steps ahead or walking alongside me. I have continued to find community in my family, friends — and even my team of doctors — who have all been rooting for my happiness and success, and are a constant source of comfort in nurturing my growth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an actor and a writer, currently working on a comedy pilot about healing from cancer, intergenerational relationships, and growing up Chinese American.

My path to becoming an actor was not linear, as I took many wrong turns and dead ends along the way. I took my first acting class only a year ago, about 5 months into being in remission from cancer. It was during a time that I was exploring a lot of creative avenues, from podcasting, to making videos, to writing, and stand up comedy. When I discovered acting, I knew it was something I was willing to invest time and energy and money into, because of the exhilaration I felt being able to embody different characters and tell interesting and nuanced stories.

I learned that the best way to grow in my craft was to just START! After taking a couple classes, I got my first set of headshots and started submitting myself on projects. Although I was relatively new, I knew that I would learn more on the job than in any classroom environment. I quickly booked my first project as the lead in a play at The Hollywood Fringe festival, and dove headfirst into a 3-week rehearsal, leading up to the 5 show performance. With that credit under my belt, along with a self-tape reel, I started reaching out to managers, and got my first manager a mere 6 months into my acting career!

I was auditioning regularly and started booking projects back to back. I also added on a voice over agent and eventually left that agency to sign with another agency across the board. Even now, a year into acting, I am still relatively new, but I was able to make so much headway by simply TAKING ACTION and putting myself out there.

In the past, I would have waited until I felt that my acting was “star quality” before I ever even invested any money into headshots or started submitting myself on projects. But now I realize that mindset was holding me back. The biggest lesson I’ve learned it to simply do your best and show up for yourself and put yourself out there! You will always continue to grow and learn, so you might as well go after what you want now!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1. Go for a morning hike at Griffith Park 🙂 2. Eat lunch at Mendicino Farms
3. See the Mayao Miyazaki exhibit at The Academy Museum
4. Watch the sunset at Venice Beach and walk along the Venice Canals
OR
5. See a show at The Hollywood Bowl!

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?
This shoutout is dedicated to my parents, Jack and Lilian Lin, my sister Jessica Lin, and all my friends and fellow creatives along my journey 🙂

Website: resumes.actorsaccess.com/juliettelin

Instagram: instagram.com/juliettetlin

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliettetlin

Youtube: https://youtu.be/VlJuIrPvgKc

Image Credits
Fitzgerald Wong Claudia Esquivel Joyce Ni Jessica Chea Maria Takigawa Bianca Ventola