Angie Lin: An Artist’s Journey from Taiwan to Hollywood
Born and raised in Taiwan, Angie Lin embarked on a journey that led her to Los Angeles, where she has spent the last decade carving her path as a multifaceted actress, dancer, and stunt performer. Her story is one of personal discovery, artistic evolution, and the courage to defy expectations.
Angie’s love for performing began early. “I grew up on stage,” she shares. “From dance showcases to speech contests, piano and violin competitions, and school plays, performing felt like stepping into a safe bubble where I could fully express myself.” Despite her naturally shy nature, Angie discovered that the stage offered her a sanctuary—a place where she could unapologetically claim her talents. At just 13 years old, she realized acting was more than a fleeting dream—it was her calling. But it wasn’t until three years ago that she mustered the courage to pursue her passion against her parents’ wishes. With 42 short films, four feature films, a television show, and a national commercial under her belt, Angie has won four Best Actress awards, further affirming her undeniable talent.
Angie’s Taiwanese heritage profoundly influenced her initial approach to acting. “In Asian films, characters often express themselves in subtle, non-confrontational ways,” she explains. “I used to intellectualize scripts and keep the drama internal.” With the guidance of her coach, Gregory Berg, Angie transformed her approach, learning to externalize emotions and embrace physicality in her performances. “Gregory taught me to focus on relationships, express clear opinions, and react with physical behaviors,” she says. “These techniques helped make my internal logic visible to the audience, transforming abstract emotions into concrete expressions.” Adapting to American culture wasn’t always easy. Growing up in Taiwan, Angie rarely used physical gestures when speaking and found public displays of affection uncomfortable. To overcome this, she turned to freestyle dancing, a practice that not only liberated her body but also enhanced her acting. “Freestyling taught me to embrace failure and move without fear of judgment,” she reflects. “Dancing has helped me become more comfortable in my body,” she says. “It’s invaluable in acting, especially when I get to incorporate dance into my roles.
Her artistic growth also includes Stunt training. “Every medium feeds into the other,” Angie explains. “Words are melodic, thoughts are rhythmic, and storytelling is inherently visual. Exploring multiple disciplines allows me to evolve as a well-rounded artist.”
Angie’s recent inclusion in The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in her career. With plans to continue exploring theater, film, television, and possibly even musical theater. As Angie looks to the future, she is driven by a singular vision: to bring stories to life that resonate deeply with audiences around the world. “Acting has always been my dream,” she says. “And I’m just getting started.”
Q & A
Q: What are your greatest inspirations or influences?
My greatest inspiration would be Lady Bird. That film has a special place in my heart not only because Saoirse Ronan is my favorite actress, but also because it inspired me to pursue acting. I am also very inspired by Nicole Kidman’s wisdom and self-awareness as an actress, Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s wit and humor in her writing, and Emma Stone’s fearlessness to push the envelope in Poor Things as well as the joy she brings off screen.
Other influences include cartoons and musical theater. I grew up watching Disney, Cartoon Network, and anime. I think I subconsciously picked up the animated facial expressions and movements, and they come out in genuine moments. My friends and coaches always tell me “You look like a cartoon character” and it makes total sense.
Q: Tell us about Dive into the Blue?
Dive Into The Blue is a coming-of-age story of a Taiwanese swimmer Lan receiving physical therapy in United States after a spinal surgery. During her brief stay abroad, she meets an Asian American girl Olivia at the hospital who revives joy in her life. She begins to spend time with Olivia in search for freedom, but her newfound excitement clashes with her medical requirements and causes a rift between her and her mom. She starts coming into her own as she ponders on questions like “What do I want for my life?” “Do I like girls?”
My first impression upon reading the script was “Finally! Someone who understands theater!” The director Gao Ge has a background in stage plays at New York University and I could see it in the way that each stage direction was written with a specific purpose to show the character’s intention behaviorally rather than emotionally, which is something I often find lacking in screenplays, so I was very excited to work with her, and she was wonderful throughout the shoot. I love coming-of-age films like this where it’s difficult to say who’s in the right or wrong. Each character has their own reason for objection and a different world view that comes with life experiences. At the end of the day, you must respect each other’s journey of self-discovery and remember that conflicts come from a place of love.
Angie Lin isn’t just an actress and writer—she’s a an adventurer too. When she’s not on set or writing, you’ll find her pouring a glass of whiskey neat, Or planning her next trip to Iceland. Her passion for storytelling doesn’t stop at acting—she’s finalizing a short film and diving into writing projects that reflect her belief in staying authentic and playful. It’s that combination of talent, kindness, and passion that makes Angie someone to root for. Her journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see all the incredible places it takes her—on screen, on the page, and beyond.
