The Steady Evolution of Élodie Yung

Mixed Asian Media - November 2, 2022

Interview by Bri Ng Schwartz with a forward by Alex Chester-Iwata

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Élodie Yung steps out of her car and is just stunning. Her grace immediately reminds me of a ballet dancer. She’s all business, but warm, and I was thrilled she agreed to a photoshoot for both Mixed Asian Media and our friends at JoySauce. I tried my best not to behave star-struck, and instead maintained the professional decorum expected from an editor-in-chief. The team and I have been fans of hers for years, and it’s always exciting to feature someone we admire.

As you view the amazing portraits of Élodie, I think it’s important to note that she helped curate which photos she wanted shown. Yung is creative and knows what angles work best for her. With the photos as proof, it was instantly made obvious that she knows her body. As expected, her schedule is always packed, and Élodie joined us for this intimate shoot right after a national TV interview but before heading to the airport, back to The Cleaning Lady set.

Chatting with Élodie, you’ll see she has no plans of slowing down as season 2 of The Cleaning Lady makes its debut. MAM got the chance to talk with her for a second time and dig deeper into her character, roots, experiences, and what’s next.

How would you say your character, Thony, has grown between Seasons 1 and 2 of The Cleaning Lady?

I feel that it’s been a steady evolution. At first she found herself thrown into this criminal world of Las Vegas, and her survival instinct kicked in to protect herself and her son. As she was pushed again and again into this world, she slowly learned the codes. In Season 2, we find a Thony who seems more in control of her environment.

What makes Thony different from other characters you have played in the past?

She’s a resilient woman, and a mother who would go to the end of the world for her son and family. I don’t think I’ve had the opportunity to play a character like that in the past! To me she’s a very real woman, with her good qualities as well as her flaws.

What has been your favorite part about working on The Cleaning Lady these past two Seasons?

I get to explore this layered character every single day for a few months and work my acting muscles consistently! I’m very grateful for that.

What has the reception to the show been like among your peers, family, and friends?

They genuinely love it, which is nice.

You have quite the background. You earned a black belt in your teens, a law degree, and now here you are acting. What brought you to acting after all of these experiences?

I needed money (haha)! A friend of mine was doing commercials and told me all about it, so I made a fake resume and started that way!

Would you say that these past experiences have influenced your acting career at all? If so, how

Everything I do, and everything I am, influences my acting. But it is hard to give specifics on what has had the most profound impact on my career. It is one of life’s great mysteries.

You have covered a lot of genres over the course of your career, from action to network series, even video games! Are there any genres you haven’t tapped into that are on your bucket list?

I would love to be on stage.

What’s next for you?

There are some irons in the fire but nothing official just yet.  One thing I would love to do is direct at some point in the near future.