HOW TO: Turn Vulnerability into Creative Power (w/ Lesley Chiang)

This week, we sit down with actor/ singer Lesley Chiang for a fascinating conversation that begins in the heart of the Hong Kong entertainment scene. Lesley breaks down the unique structure of the industry she grew up in—where performers are contracted to a single production company or channel, unlike the freelance, network-hopping model in the U.S. As a third-generation entertainer, she reflects on how deeply acting runs in her blood, and the profound influence of her father, a Hong Kong acting legend whose passion for the craft continues to shape her. Lesley also revisits her public debut as one half of the brother-sister duo Benji & Lesley, unpacking the pressure that came with the public’s awareness of their family legacy, and how transitioning into indie music ultimately gave her the freedom to steer her own creative ship. Furthermore, Lesley speaks candidly about mental health and how going public with her depression reframed her relationship to artistry and vulnerability. She then takes us inside her new life in Los Angeles—why she made the move, the challenges of essentially starting from scratch, and even the questionable acting classes she found herself in along the way (are they stealing her money? We don't know!)... Through it all, Lesley shares the lessons that taught her she could never be just an actor or just a singer, but a true multi-hyphenate. Having Lesley on the podcast was quite the honor, and we're thrilled to have her in the 50/50 Fam.  LESLEY'S INSTA  LESLEY'S YOUTUBE LESLEY'S IMDB