I recently had the opportunity to exclusively interview Jackie Dallas to learn five random facts about herself. Check out my interview with Jackie Dallas below:
Loryn: You've had a diverse career in television, appearing in popular shows like Stranger Things and Criminal Minds. How do you choose the roles that you take on, and what kind of impact do you hope to make through your work?
Jackie: I've been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work on hit shows, and it's especially exciting when you get the chance to be a part of it from the very beginning, like Stranger Things! I think early on in an actor's career, you just say 'Yes' to everything and hope it turns out okay, but now I feel more of a push to grow as an actor. I get especially excited when I get to read for a character who is different from the type of roles that I typically audition for. I have auditioned for doctor, nurse, and attorney roles so many times, but a truck stop baddie trying to kidnap a little girl? That's the kind of role I want to have fun with and I always appreciate casting directors who allow me to take on those challenges! And as far as impact, on a very simple note, I want to entertain as a storyteller, but more meaningfully, I want to continue contributing to diversifying the fictional worlds we see on screen to more authentically reflect the real world we live in. I didn't realize how important representation was until I got to see films with other Asian Americans in leading roles and it really inspired me to try and be part of that change!
Loryn: As an advocate for diversity and representation in Hollywood, what changes have you noticed in the industry over the years, and what further steps do you believe are necessary to achieve true inclusivity?
Jackie: I've seen change come in waves. After Crazy Rich Asians, there was a sudden surge in Asian American representation, and that was reinforced by hits like Killing Eve, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Shang-Chi. And there has been a louder voice for women on screen with female lead films, and ensemble casts such as The Morning Show, Big Little Lies, Wonder Woman, and Barbie. However, cultural change can be hard and inevitably, the wave does recede a bit. Despite these box office successes and critical hits, projects featuring underrepresented voices are oftentimes less funded, less marketed, and less frequently greenlit, and that is if the project is even written to begin with. Ultimately, for diversity to become normal on screen, it has to become normal off screen... in the writer's rooms, in the director's chair, in the studio offices. And it has to address not only the disparity of roles, but also inequality of pay. But there have been some small yet significant changes that have become more normal. One thing I have noticed is that many casting breakdowns have become much less ethnically specific unless the story requires it, and where it used to simply say "any ethnicity," I'm now seeing more and more casting offices use the phrase "all ethnicities encouraged." It's such a small change, but all of a sudden, it now feels like we're being invited and it gives me faith that the project is genuinely open to any and all possibilities. When ethnicity is specified for the story, I've seen a more focused attempt at honest representation, casting Korean actors for Korean roles or Chinese actors for Chinese roles. I've seen this applied for all types of representation too, whether it's looking at characters with disabilities, sexual orientation or other specific characteristics.
Loryn: How do you balance your acting career with your other endeavors?
Jackie: The life of an actor is so strange... when you are booked on a project, it's go go go! There's the mental and physical prepping before showing up for work; filming days can average 10-14 hours long, sometimes, you're traveling and living out of a hotel for weeks at a time, and then afterward, you have press and promotional work. And when you're not booked on a project, there can be months-long stretches of time when you're just waiting for the next audition to hit. So the idea of balance is so funny to me because the life of an actor is rarely ever balanced. We even have a saying on set, "Hurry up and wait," because acting really only has two speeds: waiting around and go go go! But I do think that during those down times, it is really important to find creative outlets and ways to self-care. As artists, we tend to value ourselves by our work, and when we aren't working... well. You can see how it can be easy to begin doubting yourself and your capabilities. During the pandemic, another actress friend and I started a true crime podcast called '2 Girls, 1 Crime', and it was a way for us to both be creative, but also have an excuse to spend time with each other. It was a lot of fun, but as work picked back up for us, we had to put that on hold. I also work with another friend on her social media, she is a doctor who specializes in women's health, so already a subject I am passionate about, and it's really great to be able to write, direct and edit these little videos, some of which have gone viral. The nice thing about these endeavors is that they are things that can be done in my spare time and don't add any extra stress or pressure when I do book an acting job. They keep me busy and creative and surrounded by the people I love being around the most!
Loryn: You've been a regular celebrity guest at conventions like Comic Con. What do you enjoy most about interacting with fans at these events, and how do you use these platforms to advocate for causes you're passionate about?
Jackie: I absolutely love interacting with guests at conventions. It's really such a beautiful moment to listen to someone who is excited about the work you've done or how it's affected them in some way. I always make sure to thank them for taking time out of their busy convention day to share that joy with me. And if, by the end of the chat, I've made a new fan or friend, all the better! Another favorite thing to do at conventions is to be on moderated panels. Some of my favorite panels to be on are ones that highlight the perspectives of women in Hollywood or Asian Americans in the entertainment industry and it's so humbling to share the stage with so many accomplished individuals and hear their experiences and be able to share my own. And while many of the topics and questions are geared towards the entertainment industry, many of the experiences and stories that we have can resonate with the audience and it just opens the door to more meaningful conversations that I hope continue long after the convention ends.
Loryn: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Jackie: Before pursuing acting professionally, I used to work as a doctor. I completed medical school, did an intern year of general surgery training, then a pathology residency, and a year of clinical research in between. I always get asked why I switched, or how I quit medicine... honestly, it was a job that exhausted and stressed me out, and I couldn't see it being a sustainable career where I wouldn't get burned out. I have the highest respect for doctors and many of my peers, who are the hardest working, most compassionate, and selfless people I know, but you really have to have the mental, emotional, and physical fortitude to dedicate your life to medicine. When your job revolves around helping the sick or wounded, seeing traumas and tragedies, you have to learn to distance yourself from that, and emotionally, that was really hard for me. But what was a weakness as a doctor, turned out to be a strength as an actor. Being able to empathize and reach the emotional depths that a role may call for was something that came more naturally to me, and acting allowed me to tap into that and let it out. I love a good cathartic cry! But just because I don't see patients anymore, it is still a cause I am passionate about. One of the biggest frustrations I hear from patients is how difficult it is to navigate the healthcare system and get proper diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner. And on the doctors' side, I remember the challenges of fighting with insurance companies to get medication coverage and diagnostic testing approvals, and hospital administrators who overloaded the clinics and hospital floors with patients, but were constantly looking for ways to cut costs with staffing and equipment. And as difficult as it is for a man to get seen and treated, it is significantly more difficult for women and underrepresented individuals, and with poorer outcomes. That's why I continue to raise awareness and advocate for accessible healthcare through charity, public speaking, and social media.
Be sure to stay updated with Jackie Dallas by checking out her website and following her on social media platforms:
Website: http://www.jackiedallas.com
Twitter: @JaxDallas
Instagram: @JaxDallas
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