Meet Priscilla Moy | Actress & Fashion Model

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

Hi Priscilla, how do you think about risk?
Honestly the word “risk” is what I have always associated with my career. I am a full time actress and model with a background in fashion, styling, dance, gymnastics and art. I was never graced with the stereotype to physically fit into the career that I chose. I am a Chinese American who stands at 5’2 and back in the day, I was always bullied for not being pretty. When I started nearly 13 years ago, if I had walked into any agency I would have been laughed at. I had always shown interest in the arts as a young girl but when I started to get older and was able to dabble in the field that I eventually chose as my career, I had to think realistically but without giving up the fight to do what I strived to do in life. Just coming to the decision that since I cannot see myself doing anything other than being in this industry was a risk within itself. I constantly was asked and even asked myself the question “Ok, but how are you going to do this? Do you have a plan? How will you succeed when you don’t look like any of the girls who are given the opportunity to work in this field?” I don’t know if it was the challenge that drove me to take this on, but I used all of the willpower I had to strive and become exactly who I was meant to be. At the end of the day, I always wanted to revolutionize the industry but before I could do that, I had to figure out how to get in it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As I stated before, I walked into my career with everything against me. I was never seen as this “true beauty”, I was short and petite, I was Asian American and I was only getting older. The biggest thing for me was to focus on education and training. I felt that if I wasn’t blessed enough to walk into any agency relying on my looks alone, I would have to become great at my craft. I knew that if I became great, I wouldn’t be ignored so easily. I could argue that industry standards are poop, however I would just be one of many girls who want to be a “model” and “actress” and blame the standards for why I didn’t make it. I also knew that if I wanted to revolutionize an industry, I’d first have to understand the game and play by its rules.

In high school I became involved with theatre and started starring in many of the plays and musicals. I had been bullied all of my life and if anything, it just got worse in high school. My parents had moved from the city of Chicago to a suburb that was predominantly white. I remember when they first saw me, they told me they had only seen Asians on TV. I was constantly told I couldn’t have crushes on boys out of my league, I wasn’t pretty, I wasn’t popular and that I had to abide by the “cliques”. You could say that I became extra rebellious and would purposely push boundaries in my fashion choices (I was used to only wearing uniforms prior) to kind of “snap back” at all of the haters. More of like a “ok, since you’re making fun of me anyways I’ll give you guys something more to talk about.” I also experienced a lot of friends who would go in and out of my life. They loved to hate on my dreams and what I wore but would try to copy it the next day. I remember one of these girls saying “oh Priscilla, you’ll never be a model. You’re too short. I could be a model though.”

At the age of 16 I started freelancing. I tried to ignore all of the words and hate coming from every direction. I stuck by my plan and that was to just focus on the craft and stay in my lane. I just started getting in front of the camera, shooting with local photographers in town that would be willing to work with me and started creative directing my own shoots. It paved a way for me to decide for myself where, what and how I would take these photographs if there was no concept already given to me. I would do homework for it every night; my brain was always working on overdrive and researching fashion, posing and how the people I looked up to built their own brand.

When it was time for college, I decided to study theatre acting instead of film acting. Even though I had battled with stage fright all of my life and hated big crowds staring at me, I knew my life was always meant for the cameras. Whenever I would see a camera, I would be “ON”. My confidence level would shoot up and no one else would be in the room. I got accepted to a private university into it’s BFA Acting program. Illinois Wesleyan University was notorious for its intense theatre training and known within the theatre world. I continued training in theatre because I knew that I wanted to be a GREAT actor. Studying in this program would indeed push me to my limits and teach me the work ethic behind the craft. I also minored in theatre dance and composition which kept my gymnastics and dance background up to date. I was able to continue to train with some of the best dance teachers I ever had and learn so much more about my body and what I could do with it. I struggled mostly because even my professors did not know where I fit. I wasn’t the stereotypical “theatre” kid and I always knew I was different than everyone else. When it was time to do “summer stock” auditions in my senior year for small theatre companies around the country, I only got jobs to work in management. Everyone saw me as someone that could be in charge of shows but never in them as an actress. I never let these perceptions let my dream fade away. I continued to persist in what I wanted.

After graduating, I stayed in Chicago for the next three years. I never wanted to be the person who instantly moved to a new city thinking that city was going to make me a star. Just because people told me I had to be in LA or NYC, doesn’t mean it would equate to quick success. I started learning more about how to get into the film industry and how to really push my modeling. After leaving college, I had ALL of the knowledge you would need for auditioning for theatre; how to prepare for an audition, how to present yourself and so forth but not film. I started getting signed to agencies after doing a small convention where I was able to audition as a model, actress and dancer in front of agencies around the city. I then started auditioning for TV shows like Chicago Med, Empire, Chicago P.D. and the first couple of times I would walk in looking as if I was going to an audition for a play. Within the three years of staying in Chicago, I built up my industry smarts and continued in really pushing my modeling. I started pushing my own limits and then felt the urge to move.

In 2019, I made the move to Las Vegas with a full resume and modeling portfolio. I had no idea what the industry was like in Vegas regarding what I was moving for but I knew that Vegas was where I was meant to be. I had been traveling and visiting the city as a child with my family and was always sad when it was time to go. Because of this, I knew that I fit. A couple of weeks before I moved, I started networking with people in the industry – photographers, agencies and started introducing myself. I had a goal and I knew that I wanted to start working and pushing my name out ASAP. Since moving, I have been working nonstop and started to grow so much confidence in my abilities. I was always and will always stay humble, however when I moved here I was a little TOO humble. I never really saw how GOOD I WAS. I remember one day sitting on my laptop looking through my modeling photos from when I started and where I currently was at the time. After I did that, I was like “Priscilla, you’re f****** good. Own it.” After that, I was able to put my foot down and establish my worth. I focused on continuing to challenge myself with my photoshoots. If I was creative directing my own shoots, I would purposely make sure I do not look the same as before and I push my body to different posing limits. I look at photoshoots and editorials the same as I do acting. I am someone else when the camera is on me. I create stories and I want the emotions to be felt through the lens. It does become frustrating when all my hard work starts to be copied by so many people but that just tells me I am already making my mark in this industry.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The best thing about Las Vegas is that there is SO much to do no matter what your preference is. I feel like my personality is both introverted and extroverted and it would all depend on my mood! LOL. If I was not working (for once) I would definitely try fitting in as much as possible. Obviously it depends on what this particular friend likes to do but I would definitely mold the schedule with their interests in mind.

Hiking – We have some beautiful spots in Vegas where you can really take in the beauty of the state! Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, Mt. Charleston are just to name a few!

Hiking + Hot Springs! – I heard there are some beautiful hot springs around Vegas that are accessible and would love to experience them!

Seven Magic Mountains! – This art installation is one of the most popular stops in Vegas! 30 Minutes south from the strip and not too far from the state line, it is such a fun photo spot! You have to stop at least once if you’re visiting!

Welcome to LV Sign! – Another famous and popular photo spot! The secret is – go right at sunrise so you have no people in the background of your photos and you can spend as much time there without fighting for a spot!

Kpop Night at Oddfellows (Downtown LV)! – Now this is one of the nights that excited me every month!!! I am such a HUGE Kpop fan and once a month a local bar downtown hosts this night. I always make sure to go and if my friend was in town during this time of the month, I would definitely have them come experience how fun it is!

Beach Club/Pool! – Who wouldn’t want to go full Vegas and spend some time in a pool in our 100 Degree plus weather with sun, music and booze?!

Hookah Lounge! – There are a couple of spots I love to go to in town! It is such a relaxing time to spend the evening if you want something lowkey and love to smoke hookah with some drinks and food!

Buffets! – My favorite buffet in town is definitely Bacchanal at Caesar’s Palace! Definitely worth the price if you’re into trying new foods and love seafood!

AYCE! – One thing that Vegas is famous for is the All You Can Eat spots! Korean BBQ and Sushi to name a few!!! They are to die for!!

Shows! – Vegas has so many performances and shows to go see on the strip! I happen to have many friends in so many different types of shows so it would be so fun to take my friend to see them!

Local Bars – I love a night out drinking! One of my favorite bars in town is Golden Tiki , a 24 hour bar in Chinatown! Definitely makes for a fun night out without the craziness of the club!

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?
Honestly, I owe everything to my parents. I come from a big family on all sides. Nobody in my family does what I do or is in the arts at all. My parents are extremely protective and I can only imagine what it was like when I told them what I wanted to study in college and do full time. I think that if they hadn’t let me study theatre, acting, dance and let me take chances with my wild outfit choices, I 100% would not be here today. I always consider myself lucky to have parents who knew deep down that letting their children go into a field that will make them happiest will only result in success. I have experienced many friends and colleagues that have come and go in my life but to me, family support is what is important. We can all think so many people are genuine in their friendship but I have been let down so many times. Family is the one thing I know that won’t betray me.

Website: https://priscillamoy.pb.online

Instagram: www.instagram.com/priscillamoy

Twitter: https://twitter.com/priscillamoy

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/priscillaashleymoy

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ha9_u813BwImSwVqVdAXw

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13133145/

Image Credits
Merely Mira Photography Jake Edmondson Photography Wendy Kha Adrienne Asbell: Wild & Free Photography