Last week, I got to share lunch with the incredible actor, activist and blogger Lynn Chen. Lynn’s full of energy, ideas and passion. She’s been performing since she was 5, has won awards for her work, runs a brilliant food blog and if that wasn’t enough, she’s also helped initiatives like “Love Your Body” get off the ground. Lynn’s charismatic, caring and a true example of going after what you want and doing what you believe in.
What do you do and why do you do it?
I’m an actor, because I’ve been performing since I was five-years-old and it’s what makes me happiest in the world – pretending, and using my imagination. I’m a blogger, because acting jobs don’t occur as often as I’d like, and I love having an immediate creative outlet that I’m in control of. And I’m also a body image activist, because I believe we need to change the conversation we’re having with ourselves (and each other) about equating self worth with the amount of fat on our thighs.
What’s the best gift you ever got?
Our dog Julius was a post-wedding gift from our cousins. He’s perfection.
What’s the worst gift you ever got?
That’s hard to say, because I don’t really get disappointed by gifts anymore – I truly believe it’s the thought that counts. That said, when I was in 3rd grade and I really wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid, it pissed me off pretty badly when I got a hand-made one from my Godmother. I feel bad writing that now, because I know she must have worked really hard on it. But I cried for weeks and wouldn’t hold the thing or even look at its cloth face. About a month later, she bought me a real one. Hmmm, maybe THAT’S the best gift I ever got? I appreciated the FUCK (can I swear?!) out of that doll.
What’s you advice for all things love, sex and dating?
To allow one another – and yourselves – to grow/evolve. My husband and I have been together 18 years. We were in college when we met – children, as far as I’m concerned. We allowed one another to mess up, freak out, be imperfect. We got used to seeing that. So as adults, we still give one another room and support for those dramatic growth spurts, and learn to appreciate the plateaus, too.
What’s your go to pick me up?
80’s movies. When I see the Tri-Star Pegasus I am immediately in my happy place.
Tell us about your first heartbreak…
It was a boy at band camp – I wrote a whole freaking story about it. Obsessed is putting it lightly. The crazy thing is, his sister and I are online friends now. I’ve never reconnected with him, though. To be honest, I’d rather not!
Tell us about a time you Bounced Back better than ever
Rejection is a daily part of my life, as an actor. Sometimes it stings a lot more than others – particularly when I really want a part, or I come close to getting it, or I work very hard and still hear no. Whenever I receive some particularly difficult news these days, I try to remember the last time I felt that way, and how I eventually got over that. Knowing I’ll be okay even when it feels devastating is definitely the light at the end of the tunnel, and gives me a little bit of motivation to keep on truckin once I’m feeling like myself again.
