Meet Ashley Liao, multitalented star of Love in Taipei: the Taiwanese-American actress appeared in Fuller House and The Kicks, sang on YouTube, loves Broadway – and will be in The Hunger Games prequel
The much-hyped film Love in Taipei has finally released – and all eyes are on Ashley Liao, who plays the lead role.
It’s the first time Liao will play the protagonist in a feature film, but it certainly is not her first brush with fame. She’s been entertaining crowds for over a decade, connecting with audiences through her talent on stage.
Here are five things you probably didn’t know about the young star.
How Ashley Liao cultivated her showbiz dreams
Born to a Taiwanese family, Liao started acting when she was 10 years old, per AAPI Victory Alliance. Her parents recognised that she was outgoing and loved the stage, so they enrolled her in community theatre programmes so she could embrace her talents. She excelled and was encouraged to turn to professional work, quickly landing commercial jobs and TV roles.
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In an interview with Girl’s Life magazine, she said that her best advice for breaking into the industry was to “work hard”. She also said she was committed to achieving her dreams: “If you really want to act, sing, dance – whatever it may be – put 110 per cent into it. If acting is your calling, do it. You never know until you try.”
A decade of experience
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Her impressive voice
Liao is not just known for her acting chops, but also her voice. She used to have a YouTube channel under the username LoveSingActLaugh, reports AAPI Victory Reliance. She would post cover versions of famous songs including “Let it Go” from Frozen, John Legend’s “All of Me” and OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars”.
The channel’s content has since been deleted, but Liao spoke about her passion for music to Girl’s Life. She told the publication that, when she was seven years old, she used to listen to the Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper soundtrack on repeat. She added that the soundtrack helped her understand harmonies and melodies.
Her love for Broadway
The actress also told Girl’s Life that musical theatre helped her develop her love for the stage and acting. She can play the guitar and piano and said she has always hoped that music will remain in her life. When she first entered the industry, it was her dream to be in a Broadway show.
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She’s a martial arts queen
Don’t be fooled by her slight build and innocent smile – Liao can throw a mean punch! Speaking about her role as Parker on The Kicks, Liao said she had to learn to do soccer tricks as well as learn how to kick. It wasn’t her first time doing physical work though. She said that she learned taekwondo for four-and-a-half years, earning herself a black belt.
- Beginning to act at age 10, Liao landed commercial acting and TV jobs when she was barely in her teens, and has a passion for singing and a black belt in taekwondo
- Love in Taipei is based on Abigail Hing Wen’s bestselling book Loveboat, Taipei – and marks Liao’s first turn in a feature film, playing the lead role opposite 13 Reasons Why star Ross Butler