Meet Quei Tann | Actor, Writer, Social Worker

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

Hi Quei, how do you think about risk?
When I decided at 16 that I was going to be a movie star, I knew it was going to take some serious risks. At the time, I was living in Vegas, but I was dead set on moving back to LA, where I’m originally from. My “plan” (if you could call it that) was to stay with a Russian model I’d hooked up with during a runway gig at a Vegas hotel. Turns out, he was mixed up with the Armenian mob and became the fall guy for a weed bust.

Next thing I know, I’m 16 years old with guns drawn in my face, K9s snapping at my neck, and handcuffs on my wrists. After my Russian drug-dealing lover got arrested and deported—probably back to join Putin’s army or something—I had nowhere to live. But instead of crawling back to my mom’s apartment in Vegas with my tail between my legs, I decided to stick it out.

I lived in my car, showered at the gym, and ate at food banks—even after getting sick from it once, because what other choice did I have? I spent cold nights parked in random residential streets or strip mall parking lots, all while holding on tight to my dream. I was fighting for my place in Hollywood, in this industry, and for my future.

It was a risk, no doubt about it. But it’s one I’d take all over again because it paid off.

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.
First things first: I am an actor. Acting is my lifeblood—it’s who I am, down to my core. To act is to exist fully as myself. It’s in my bones. I went from sitting at home watching *How to Get Away with Murder*, Tyler Perry films, and *American Horror Story* to acting in all of them. Seeing yourself manifest your dreams is one of life’s greatest gifts, and it’s an experience I hope everyone gets to have at least once.

The journey to get here wasn’t easy, but it’s been extraordinary. The LA LGBT Center played a pivotal role in my story. Through them, I met a woman named Ann Thomas, who had started “Transgender Talent,” an entertainment management company. Ann came to the center to speak to youth and scout talent. I showed up, hoping for my big break, but quickly realized there was no golden ticket here. Ann, like the rest of us, was trying to find her way in the industry with nothing but a dream and an idea. Still, we gave each other a shot.

From 2014 to 2017, Ann sent me on auditions for student films. We didn’t talk much—she’d email me every few months to go down to USC or another school for an audition. At the same time, I was hustling in other ways. I submitted myself for *America’s Next Top Model*, joined a beauty pageant, and eventually landed a modeling manager (shout out to Cece Asuncion at Slay Models!). Cece got me my first Netflix audition, and I booked it right out of the gate: a small role in *Cam* (2018). A few lines, two scenes—but it was a start.

Meanwhile, Ann was growing alongside me. She started getting me better auditions, introduced me to an agent, and eventually got me in the room for *Dear White People* on Netflix. That audition changed everything. The rest, as they say, is history.

It hasn’t always been glamorous—my journey was messy and desperate at times, something I remind myself of as I enter this new stage of my career. Now, it’s about more than just acting. It’s about diversifying my talents and taking ownership of my work. Acting will always be in my blood, but actors need to have a stake in what we create. That’s why I’m writing my memoir and going to school for social work. I want to bring purpose and structure to my activism, blending my art and my advocacy.

But don’t get it twisted—I’m always acting. That will never change.

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.
Baby, we’re aspirational around here, so you *have* to start with the Getty Villa. It’s easily the most beautiful place in Southern California. I can’t limit myself to just LA city or even the county—I need the whole lower third of the state! The Getty Villa is *THAT GIRL*. The regular Getty? Boring, stiff, and trash. But the Villa? It’s all about water, class, and beauty. Trust me, it’s an absolute must.

Next, we’re heading to the Sunset Tower Hotel, the ultimate celebrity hotspot. Fun fact: I got fired from there when I was 17! (Iconic, I know.) Make a breakfast reservation, and you’ll be surrounded by A-listers. When I worked there, I met Lana Del Rey, Katy Perry (back when she was dating Orlando Bloom), Usher, Solange—and I almost met Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, but a sliding glass door got in the way like a bad Windex commercial. Truly unforgettable.

Then, we’ll visit one of my most sacred places: the fountain at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Koreatown (3731 Wilshire Blvd). This spot is where I dream, wish, and pray. Every time I’ve prayed there, God listened. I can’t even count how many auditions and callbacks I’ve visited before or after stopping by. It’s peaceful, calming, and always accessible—perfect for anyone, even if you’re starting out with little money like I was. Koreatown itself is vibrant, affordable, and close to the city. If you’re looking for a place that feels grounding and divine, this is it.

Now, we’re going to take a little road trip up north past Santa Barbara to Solvang. Stay at a cozy bed-and-breakfast just outside of town and explore this European-style wonderland. If you can, go during Oktoberfest—there’s nothing like it.

After that, we’re breaking out of the Hollywood hustle and visiting my Buddhist temple, Tahl Mah Sah, where you can experience Korean Buddhism led by world-renowned monks. Meditate, reflect, and reset. It’s transformative.

Eat everything Mexican and Everything Vegan–that is our cuisine–nothing else nothing more.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a stop at the beach. Any beach will do, but I’d recommend Redondo Beach over Malibu. (Malibu has rocks instead of sand—why?) And for all my fellow weebs, Little Tokyo and Sawtelle’s Japan Town are mandatory. Eat, shop, and soak in the culture. It’s heaven for anime and manga lovers like us.

That’s the itinerary. You’ll leave with a full heart, unforgettable memories, and maybe even a little spiritual glow. Enjoy, bby!

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?
After living in my car, I eventually found my way to the LA LGBT Center, an organization dedicated to serving the queer and trans community in Los Angeles. One of their programs is a homeless shelter—or as they call it, “transitional living.” I came to LA chasing a dream and ended up living a nightmare. I’d never experienced homelessness before, and at first, I thought it was going to be temporary, something I could push through. But without even a high school diploma and with child labor laws limiting me to four-hour shifts and requiring parental consent for most things, breaking the cycle of poverty felt impossible.

That’s where the LGBT Center—and specifically their KT program (the “transitional living”wing of the org)—came in. At the KT, I met other queer and trans people who had big dreams and deep traumas, just like me. I learned so much there, and even made a lifelong friend—Robyn, who I now call my sister. We made it out of the system together, and during those dark times, Robyn encouraged me to never give up on my dreams.

Her support, along with the scholarships I received from NBCUniversal, courtesy of Karamo Brown (from *Queer Eye* and *The Karamo Show*), gave me the push I needed. Back then, Karamo worked at the LGBT Center, and he gave me a sneak peek of what was possible for my career. While the LGBT Center wasn’t perfect—I went through my share of struggles there—it introduced me to the people and the stability that helped me get to where I dreamed of being.

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