Interview with Doralynn Mui

(photos via Karolina Turek)

 1. I know you, but some people may not.
So could you please introduce yourself to the world? 

"Hello! I'm Doralynn, I'm a Vancouver-based actor and a big fan of buffets, Nutella, and thrift stores."

2. What was your first job in the entertainment industry?
Also, what did you do before that? 

"My first paid acting gig was a role as a Chinese scholar in a historical, roving play at the Sun Yat-Sen garden in Chinatown. I made $500 for the summer, and it was so. much fun. Before I started acting, I was studying Communication at Simon Fraser University. I actually work part time as a PR and marketing coordinator now, so I’m putting that degree to use!"
 
3. Did you study acting before getting into the industry? 

"I never went to college for acting, but I took theatre in high school and as an elective in university (where I studied Communication and Film Production). I also trained (and still train) with a lot of different coaches in Vancouver and Toronto!"


4. If you could work with anyone you'd want,
who would that person be and why? 

"Honestly, I'm excited to work with anyone who's generous and ready to give and get in a scene! Plus Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Kate Winslet, and Tom Hardy - because, obviously."
 
5. What does a normal day in your life looks like? 

"This is a tough one! Every day is different, which is part of what I love about being an actor. If I'm not working, I love to learn new things, so I might be taking a hip hop, kickboxing, or Chinese class. I also like to hunt through thrift stores, stay in and just read, or watch movies with my boyfriend. Also, sometimes I do laundry! Really, the only constant I can say is that I never skip breakfast."
 
6. Where is your favorite place to be and why? 

"Do I have to pick just one place? Tied for first: the library, a garage sale, and obviously, Disneyland. I just need a lot of stimuli!"

7. If you could, what would be the one advice
you would want to give to your younger self? 

"Two things I would tell past Doralynn: you don't have to make things look effortless, it's okay to try. Also, you don’t need that tan, stop subjecting yourself to that UV damage!"
 
8. What is one of the best advice that you've got?
Who was the person that gave it to you? 

"I would say the best advice I've gotten has been from my dad, which was, <Don't give yourself any reason to have regrets. Put 100% into everything you do, so fifty years from now, you won't look back and wish you'd tried or done something.> Or something wise like that, I'm paraphrasing!"
 
9. What is your biggest accomplishment so far? 

"When I look back to when I first started acting, I remember my ultimate goal was to have at least a single line on a TV show. I'm really happy to say that I've accomplished that, so I’m just excited to keep collecting new experiences! But also, getting to bully Jughead in Riverdale, fighting Lana Condor in Deadly Class, and learning the mostly Mandarin dialogue in Bunny Man have been some nice highlights."
 
10. If you could book any role in the next years to come,
what would that dream role be? 

"What an exciting question! Something like Jodie Comer's assassin character in Killing Eve, where you get to have so much fun being ruthless yet vulnerable and innocent all at the same time... that's an actor's dream. I'd also love to play a character with a personality that’s really close to my own! Weirdly, I feel like that's more of a challenge for me than playing a character that's my exact opposite."
 
11. Is there anything you can disclose about any new project? 

"I finished shooting a pilot for NBC Universal called <One of Us is Lying> based on the YA novel by Karen M. McManus, crossing my fingers that it gets picked up! I'm planning to work on a short film that will be directed by Peter Bryant, the script is being developed right now. I also have some roles in features that will be released soon: <Spontaneous> starring Katherine Langford, <2 Hearts> starring Jacob Elordi and Tiera Skovbye, and the indie feature, <Four Walls>. Get ready for it!!"

12. What is the best part about life on set? 

"When I get a chance to sit in it and see how all this organized chaos comes together, the fact that I get to play pretend for money still blows my mind. I just love how every day is different and how I get to learn things all the time. And also, the food on set. I just really love eating, and there is always food on set."
 
13. In the end, is there anything you'd like to say to the people who support you? 

"You guys make my heart explode. Thank you for being on this journey with me! It honestly keeps me going through all the ups and downs. And, if you're one of those special humans that I rope into running lines with me, I love you and owe you big."