By Emily … Asians are not a monolith. Thank you! The judges were thinking dance, ice skating or gymnastics. What’s your take on Asian-American representation in Hollywood, as someone who’s spent time in the industry? It wasn't until 2009 that Shum made his small screen debut as Mike Chang in … Harry Shum Jr. is a Costa Rican-born American actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer. I was really lucky to have that when I was in elementary school; it was something I just stumbled upon, so I wouldn’t have got involved if my school didn’t have those programs. It's a story of hope, joy, and beauty." Harry Shum Jr. tells us about jumping from TV franchises to the big screen As part of Esquire Neighbourhood, Harry Shum Jr. discusses the making of his new film, as well as cultural identity, honing his skills as a triple-threat performer, and the shifting nature of Hollywood. I watched a lot of Missy Elliott, Usher, and Ginuwine music videos, then eventually I was just watching movies with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. These Days, He Isn't Staying Still. They have one child. She also had a dance spotlight with castmate Harry Shum Jr. during Naya Rivera's performance of "Valerie," and was one of the dancers in the "Single Ladies" and "Safety Dance" numbers. Follow NBC Asian America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. ", However, through the arts, Shum learned to embrace this timidness. IE 11 is not supported. From my personal experience, not many writers and producers want to maliciously harm a community — they’re just working with what they know. He was nominated for four Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance in Glee, winning once. The actor explained that the art form spoke to “many who feel like they don’t belong.” The Crazy Rich Asians star returns to the romance genre in the film following a young couple falling in love and facing the worst news imaginable. I’m still very much tied to that country — I was married there, I still cook Latin Chinese fusion, and I love their attitude towards life. Harry Shum Jr. Shum, who had a professional dance career prior to acting, explained that without a wealth of Asian faces around him, he was able to find refuge in dance and hip-hop. That description could just as easily apply to Harry Shum Jr. as Mike Chang, the character he plays on “Glee.” And like Mike, who’s gone from a quiet background dancer to a vital member of New Directions, Harry has recently stepped into the spotlight as a prominent player on the L.A. dance scene. '" Shum describes this as more than 'living in the moment.' I think we don't do that enough because we're always afraid to be looked at a certain way." "Â, We often tend to fixate on the "right way" or the "wrong way," which can constrain us. To be honest, it’s only just now that I’ve started to understand how beneficial it was to grow up in a household of mixed cultural identities. Harry Shum Jr. chimes at the end of our cheery phone chat. There's strength in collective storytelling that paves the way to collective understanding, but it starts with us: our curiosities, our lived experiences, our interactions.                                   Â. He shares stories about harboring a constant curiosity that has led to meaningful change and purpose in his life. In a world full of noise, being timid helps us find the right moment to say or do something meaningful. ET’s Ash Crossan caught up with Harry Shum Jr. and Jessica Rothe ahead of their new romantic drama, ‘All My Life,’ available Dec. 23 on Demand. "I remember trying to act out a scene in a certain way. He won the award for The Male TV Star of 2018 in the E! We're not always going to get it right, but we eventually will. In this introspective moment, Shum tells us, "I would say the biggest change for me is I don't really care what people think anymore, as much as I used to. We place these limitations on ourselves to be perceived in a certain light. I know how crucial it is to have those options growing up, which is why I stress the need for more public funding for the arts in all schools. I’ve toured with a lot of major pop stars, so I think it’d be interesting to see up-close what the rockers do. To watch this little human make choices, respond to her environment, and discover new things." Oops! The joy of seeing people happy. The way they treated each other. "She eventually does. You’ve seen him sing. Join our mailing list for exclusive events, upcoming releases, and other exciting news. Product is not available in this quantity. "But my hope is to always talk to your younger self. Were there any specific dancers that inspired you and helped usher in this dance-focused part of your life? Shum says thoughtfully, "There's a positive side to being timid. Have you two bonded over your shared role together? "They don't know what's right or wrong, but they try and find out in a way that's not damaging to anyone or themselves. It comes as a surprise that Shum wasn't always the cool, confident, and charismatic person we see on the screen. "The arts have really helped me channel aspects of myself in different ways, whether it's through music, dance, or writing." "Â, When we ask Shum to elaborate on "curiosity" as a parent, he glows as he talks about his daughter and fatherhood. Born in Costa Rica to a mother from Hong Kong and a father from Guangzhou, China, and raised in the small town of Arroyo Grande, California, Shum discovered his passion for dancing in high school when he joined the dance team on a dare. He is best known for his roles as Mike Chang on the Fox comedy-drama television series Glee and as Magnus Bane on the Freeform fantasy television series Shadowhunters. As I watch the sunset in California, I hear a ping that immediately draws my attention back to my screen. The little nuances. "Even if I were 100% positive that I was right, I still wouldn't raise my hand because I was timid, shy, or whatever you want to call it. As humans, we eventually figure it out. Joined a Dance Team on a Dare. His love for dancing led him to various opportunities, including being a backup dancer for renowned stars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr. play a couple who marry before tragedy strikes in “All My Life.” Photo: Patti Perret, Universal Pictures. Something went wrong while submitting the form. He had also previously been in a McDonalds advert, when he was younger.He also appeared in Zoey 101 and iCarly, but only as minor characters.He currently plays Mike Chang, a dancer who joins t… "The arts kept me out of trouble and allowed me to expand my mind. Here in this moment. Shum spoke with NBC Asian America about growing up in Costa Rica, advocating for the arts in schools, and the importance of representation in Hollywood — not just in acting, but also in the writers’ room and director’s chair. After a chance meeting, Solomon and Jennifer fall in love with each other and become engaged. Shum pauses for a moment before sharing, "That was a weird experience for me because I'm usually in control of what I do, but something was telling me, 'Don't go down that route. I couldn't do it the way I wanted to do it." "Â, Shum acknowledges that representation and diverse stories are critical, but we must ask ourselves who tells these stories to move beyond the performative. He was also one of the lead dancers with stars such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson. We notice a shift in tone as Shum expressively speaks about moving beyond performative representation. For some reason, I couldn't get the words out. "I've been called 'Other Asian' for a whole year, but I look back and I don't regret anything that I've ever done," says Shum. He began his professional career as a backup dancer on tours for major stars including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Mariah Carey, and eventually went on to appear in popular dance movies like “Stomp the Yard” and the “Step Up” franchise before taking on more acting roles. Before Shum got into acting, he had been dancing since high school. All My Life not only provides an intimate exploration of Solomon's and Jennifer's relationship, but also the relationships of those around them as everyone tries to come to terms with Solomon's diagnosis. I know how crucial it is to have those options growing up, which is why I stress the need for more public funding for the arts in all schools. He has been married to Shelby Rabara since November 22, 2015. “Singin’ in the Rain” is hands-down the best musical I’ve seen, but I also love “Cover Girl,” which I think is pretty underrated. Harry Shum Jr. is a man of many hats. Watch The First 48. "There's a beauty in how cultures interact with each other. Aerosmith. The curiosity that's not only with us individually, but also shared collectively through the stories we tell. Shum's calm confidence and thoughtful candor radiated throughout our conversation. 2.5m Followers, 463 Following, 2,204 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Harry Shum Jr (@harryshumjr) In addition to advocating for representation, you’ve also used your platform to promote the performing arts for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Several years ago, Harry Shum Jr. stumbled upon a viral video of a couple in Toronto at their wedding — a sequence of Jennifer Carter and Solomon “Sol” Chau exchanging vows and slowly swaying together for their first dance. So as much as I want to fight for the actors, I think it’s about more than just us.". The arts kept me out of trouble and allowed me to expand my mind. Just be here right now. Stylists: Brandon Nicholas @brvndo & Art Hunter @art.hunterr, Groomer: Andrea Pezzillo for Exclusive Artists using Skinbetter Science and R+Co @andreapezzillo, Flowing into a different way of being through conversations, surroundings, and circumstances, On embracing changes and your ‘whole’ self. There would be days where I would feel like I was talking to him in some way," Shum recalls. His upcoming film, All My Life, is based on such a story. We actually have. Through these quiet observations of his daughter, Shum alludes to the importance of a steadfast and ever-evolving curiosity to lift the limitations we or society have placed on ourselves. I turned in time to see Harry Shum Jr. join our virtual call from Vancouver. His character on “Glee” has been referred to as “the other Asian” in more than one episode and given minimal screen time throughout the show, but Harry Shum Jr.’s life couldn’t be more of a contrast. He describes how he is in constant awe as he watches his daughter navigate the world. "Sometimes, I forget to actually play with her because I'll just watch how she interacts with objects and figures things out," Shum laughs. He is best known for his roles as Mike Chang on the Fox television series Glee (2009–2015) and as Magnus Bane on the Freeform television series Shadowhunters (2016–2019). I would love to just jam to their music on stage and find interesting, new ways to dance to it. The … Hip-hop and R&B music videos were my biggest influence when I was a teenager, and what’s funny is that through them, I was introduced to the old Hollywood performers. … Harry Shum Jr. has certainly proved that he’s a master of dance, but his new movie is a whole new type of choreography. You’ve seen Harry Shum Jr. dance. I’ve noticed through social media that many people are concerned with hiring more actors of color, but I think putting people behind the cameras is just as important as putting people on the screen. "Growing up, I was the quiet kid in class who wouldn't raise my hand to answer questions," Shum shares. Shum continues, "With parenting, or just with people in general, you're told, 'Oh, this is the right way to do this, and then you find out years later there's another way. Thus, Ashley is feeling confident that the hawk, flag and lipstick is thinking Tara Lipinski. We have different approaches to the character, mostly because film and TV are pretty diverse mediums, but it was cool that I could share this understanding of my character with someone else. Not in the sense of telling your younger self what he did wrong, but rather your younger self telling you to always look at everything with constant curiosity and not with a constant fear of being wrong. Timidness creates space for quiet confidence, creative experimentation, and purposeful introspection.Â, "When you self-reflect, you often think about when you're talking to your friends or your family," Shum says. However, shortly after their engagement, Solomon is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Â, "I was inspired by Solomon's and Jennifer's story," says Shum. Harry Shum Jr. "Â, When Shum talks about the challenges of filming All My Life, he remembers a moment that left a deep impression on him. Actor Harry Shum Jr. attends the premiere of "Rogue One: A Star Wars … Stories that act as an energy source to inspire moments of joy or to provoke new perspectives. Since then, Shum continues to build upon his successes with roles in Shadowhunters (Freeform) and Crazy Rich Asian (Warner Bros.). It's seeing what's in front of you and trusting yourself. A better-balanced person that can contribute to this world in a meaningful way. Now he’ll make you cry in the new film All My Life. Actor Harry Shum Jr. attends the premiere of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" at the Pantages Theatre on Dec. 10, 2016 in Hollywood, Calif. Harry Shum Jr. speaks on stage at the Do Something Awards at the Avalon on July 31, 2013, in Los Angeles. A topic that resounds deeply with Shum. The power of steadfast and ever-evolving curiosity to evoke purposeful change. To create and pave our own way. Harry Shum Jr. was a Chinese-American actor and dancer who was best known for playing the role of Mike Chang on all six seasons on Fox's hugely-popular musical series "Glee" (Fox, 2009-2015). That’s how a lot of issues arise. Representation needs to properly be displayed in all departments of Hollywood, like in the writers’ room. Your submission has been received! ", For Shum, he's making these contributions through purposeful storytelling. There's a power in silence, and in quiet observance." Now I'm getting a chance to go behind the camera to give a voice to what you see on screen. Harry Shum Jr., Actor: Crazy Rich Asians. It's reacting truthfully and honestly.Â, Towards the end of our conversation, we shift to the topic of representation. The term “pura vida” is used a lot there, which translates to “pure life,” and that’s as good as it gets. All My Life is currently out in theaters and will be available on-demand starting December 23rd. ", Since his breakout role as the quiet, but eager, dancer Mike Chang on “Glee,” which ended in 2015, Shum has appeared in YouTube videos (most recently in the YouTube Red series "Single by 30" from Wong Fu Productions), films (such as Netflix's original feature “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny”), and earned a main role in the Freeform show “Shadowhunters.”. It's going beyond internal and external perceptions of what that moment could be. Harry Shum Jr. was born on April 28, 1982 in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Before Shum got into acting, he had been dancing since high school. We’re only one small player in the game. ", "There is something special when you're a kid," Shum notes. On December 4th, Shum will star opposite Jessica Rothe in the romantic film All My Life (Universal Pictures). There's a lot of fear and pain, but there's also joy. He came to the premiere of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and I met him briefly. Dressed in a plain white tee accented by a colorful abstract painting in the background, Shum greets the Timid team with a huge smile. The way they spoke to each other. To stay curious and to find out what works best for us. You’re currently a regular on “Shadowhunters” as Magnus Bane, a character that was played by Godfrey Gao in the film version of “The Mortal Instruments” series. We kind of stood around talking about Magnus Bane and how fun it is to play him. ... Harry Shum Jr… Sol would try to insert a lot of joy, so the people around him would feel less pain. He's known for his acting on Glee, dancing in Step Up, and taking on lead roles in films like All My Life. It wasn't just another Hollywood tale. And as an actor, my background has helped me to be able to easily adopt different perspectives, so I’m always silently thanking my parents for randomly moving to Costa Rica. "I've done my best and everything within my power to go against stereotypes. He won a dance competition to dance in an iPod commercial. It's heroic. We’re all familiar with Harry Shum Jr. as the bisexual warlock we know and love in the hit TV show, Shadowhunters.Since being cast as Magnus, his r esumé includes several big franchises including the upcoming film adaptation of the best-selling book, Crazy Rich Asians and Escape Plan 3 with Sylvester Stallone. He has appeared in the films Step Up 2: The Streets (2008), Step Up 3D (2010), White Frog (2012), Revenge of the Green Dragons (2014), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016), Crazy Rich Asians … He is best known for his roles as Mike Chang on the Fox television series Glee and as Magnus Bane on the Freeform television series Shadowhunters. And like the viral "Uptown Funk" video before it, Glee star Harry Shum Jr.'s epic "Dance Treading" routine is masterfully executed. Hollywood Needs Harry Shum Jr. From dancing with Beyoncé to starring in cult favorite Shadowhunters, there's just something about Harry. It's about finding moments of joy and community in the midst of sadness and pain.Â, "I actually learned a lot from Sol. How has your multicultural upbringing affected your life and identity today? People's Choice Awards for Shadowhunters. I think learning about the beauty of cultures at young age has allowed me to find the beauty of cultures I don’t know about now. "Representation needs to properly be displayed in all departments of Hollywood, like in the writers’ room. So as much as I want to fight for the actors, I think it’s about more than just us. It was like this internal fighting. His love for dancing led him to various opportunities, including being a backup dancer for renowned stars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. That's how Hollywood can be more authentic, Shum tells us.Â, "Sometimes, we miss out on just being human."Â. Harry Shum Jr. is a Costa Rican-born American actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Yeah, and I can’t express how important it is to expose younger people to the arts. Shum launched his career as the only male dancer on BET's Comic View in 2002 and has continued his dancing career from there. "This beautiful script extends and focuses on their relationship. The 38-year-old actor is as kind as he is talented, happily opening up about his new film All My Life and everything in between. If you had to drop everything right now to be a backup dancer again, which celebrity would you want to accompany on tour? The film is inspired by a real-life couple, Solomon Chau and Jennifer Carter. "Oh man, I think it's the best! He is an actor, known for Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Shadowhunters (2016) and Glee (2009). For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "There were days where it was very emotional. As with most stories, Shum's road to stardom has an unexpected beginning.Â. It's important that we amplify voices who are then willing to lift the voices of other people. You do what you want to do in hopes that you become a better person. Harry Shum Jr. (born April 28, 1982) is a Costa Rican-American actor, dancer, singer, and choreographer. It wasn't until 2009 that Shum made his small screen debut as Mike Chang in the television series Glee (FOX). The curiosity that 's not only with us individually, but also collectively! 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