Interview With Charlyne Yi

Today I’m interviewing Charlyne Yi, who you might remember as the stoner Jodi in Knocked Up.

Wikipedia tells me that you’re a quintuple-talented performance artist, musician, writer, painter, and actress. Is your talent limitless?

Does this answer your question.

Charlyne, you seem to have managed to make a very good life out of pursuing your own creative interests and not succumbing to The Man. I’d love to do the same, advice?

I suppose I’ve learned the hard way, I have been in situations where I wasn’t happy with the material I was working on. But I’ve realized in partaking in these sort of creative jobs and doing something you don’t believe in — it’ll pay a toll on my soul. And there’s nothing worth hurting that. Life is too short to compromise your soul.

Yes, there are times that you can’t always have your way and have to give in, however, there are ways to make sure you aren’t completely turning your back on who you are.

In the specific job I had taken I didn’t really know I was getting into, and signed up for something where I didn’t get to see the material until the day they brought me on set. When I was on set, I did not like what they had written for me. I was so disappointed in what I was in for. I was signed up for 2 episodes minimum and maybe longer. Luckily, I was such a poor reader (I can’t read well out loud)… I was fired. It was the best feeling ever. I was saved from ruining myself. Now, I won’t take a job unless I approve of the material.

I learned that if I need money, I rather take a day job like waitressing, than take a creative job that I was not passionate about.

I prefer to write in the middle of the night while eating uncooked macaroni noodles. What are your writing habits?

I’m not sure. Sometimes I dream of my ideas while I’m asleep. Sometimes I daydream about situations. I don’t really pay attention too much. Which is probably why I’m always dreaming.

Does it infuriate you when people say that you look young?

No.

So you’re in a band called The Glass Beef, and you have a video on YouTube for a song called “Tony Braxton.” Is it filmed in your home? What are all those jugs (milk jugs?) doing in the background?

It’s filmed in my friend’s apartment. Yes those are milk jugs. Empty ones.

Have you ever heard of cuddle parties?

Nope.

I bet Seth Rogen would be a good cuddler. Thoughts?

Nope.

People are very concerned about the release of a film you co-wrote and starred in, called Paper Heart. When are they going to be able to see this movie?

Strange. Why are people “very concerned”? – I am unsure of it’s release date.

You filmed Paper Heart in Toronto. What do you think of my glorious homeland of Canada?

I think it’s pretty. They’re downtown is pretty too. I had never seen frozen water before. I mean, I’d seen it like in my freezer. Ice cubes. But not frozen lakes, streams, or rivers. It was pretty mind blowing. I like the trees. Everything seems so much cleaner in Canada.

Thanks a lot Charlyne, this has been a lot of fun! May your internet connection remain stable and your Scotch tape maintain cohesion.

Thank you!