Up Close with Actress Leia Yan

Los Angeles based Leia Yan is a dynamic young actress with a cross-cultural upbringing and a lifelong devotion to storytelling. Born in China in 2002 and later on spending her teen years in Michigan, her artistic journey began in childhood, fueled by weekly rituals like scouring record stores with her father for films that would later inspire her craft. Her early exposure to performance through national public speaking competitions, voiceover contests, modeling, and dance, instilled in her a blend of versatility, discipline and creative fearlessness. Now based in Los Angeles, Leia continues to refine the passion through contrasting roles in short films. Whether embodying a sentimental performance in front of the camera or navigating the raw immediacy of stage work, she commits to a process of relentless curiosity. For Leia, acting is not just a profession but a lifelong excavation—of human identity and cultural intersections.

Welcome to Movie Marker! What kind of training did you receive before moving to LA?

For acting specifically, I started with drama club and musical theater in middle school. During the pandemic was when I started taking online acting classes. Later on, training with specific acting coaches. Aside from acting, I started playing piano when I was five (a little rusty now)  and pretty much started dancing around the same age. I’ve always enjoyed singing since I was a kid as well. I was in an a cappella group and always been in school choirs, later on working on a lot of musical theater projects which I absolutely love. I’m not always the most confident when it comes to singing, but nonetheless I have fun!

How would you describe the projects that you typically prefer?

To me stage and screen acting are compelling in their own different ways, I don’t think I can ever pick one preference. Genre wise, I’m most drawn to sci-fi and period dramas. Cheers for boundless imagination and emotional archaeology!

With that in mind, what are some of your favorite roles you’ve played recently?

I would pick these two contrasting roles- A banished fighter on an alien planet and a young, reserved wife from the 1960s.

Has there been one particular moment in your career that you’re most proud of?

This is also a gradual, everyday thing for me. Every moment that I am doing anything that is associated with acting and art, I’m proud that I did it, and more importantly, I’m proud that I still get to have the feeling of “I love doing it”.

Which actors and directors would you like to collaborate with in future?

Some of the directors I have always admired include Ang Lee,  James Cameron, Denis Villeneuve and David Cronenberg. I would love to learn from/work alongside  Kathy Bates, Ellen Burstyn, Gong Li, Tilda Swinton, or Viola Davis one day. I hold so much admiration for these people. They’ve influenced my attitude towards my craft tremendously.

As an international actor navigating Hollywood, how do your roots and heritage influence your work and the roles you choose?

Growing up between China and the U.S. taught me that some of the most interesting stories live in the contradictions, the quiet resilience and strength of one culture, the bold individualism of the other. At times I do find myself looking for roles that honor that complexity. Those parts are still rare.

For fun! If you went back to the golden era of Hollywood, which actor do you resonate with most and why?

Katharine Hepburn and Anna May Wong. They were both such brave rule breakers. Their work wasn’t just being “An Asian Actress” or “A Woman”, they were people. They didn’t just rebel for attention, they rewrote the rules.

Have you set any goals to achieve in 2025, and how can people follow your journey?

Intentional growth would be the goal. I would like to book a role that is completely out of my comfort zone. Keep being curious, grateful and open. People can look up my work on IMDb.