Photo Credit: Mark Yashihiro

AC (DENNIS): If you had one distinct memory of Christmas in the past, what would that be?
LINDA: It has to be the last time spending Christmas with my Grandfather. On Christmas Eve, this is what he whispered in my ear: "One can have all the success and money and yet one can't buy happiness. So follow your heart, do what makes you happy because life is short and none of us are forever young." Although my grandfather was extremely ill at the time, he still managed to have a positive spirit. I think it was much easier for me to communicate with him because of all his grandchildren I was the only grandchild who was fluent in Mandarin Chinese. I just love listening to his life philosophy and the awful wars he went through. He was close to 100 years old when he passed away and he out lived all three of his wives. My grandfather spent the last two years of his life at my parent's house in New York and he will always be greatly missed.

AC (DENNIS): Let's now talk about Linda Wang, the model. I wrote an article on runway modeling and the glass ceiling that continues to exist. What kind of struggles have you faced in the print model industry?
LINDA: This is a business where having the right look and skill is essential, but often the lack of work and opportunities can be extremely discouraging. That is the major reason why I have always appreciated every booking I get, regardless of how trivial the job can be and treat it as gold. My own memories of personal struggles as well as my discussions with other commercial print models have prompted me to have a  positive attitude. Each struggle I surmount makes me a stronger and better person. Every individual struggle and mistake is a great learning experience for me.

AC (DENNIS): I recall looking at different publications such as Cosmopolitan, and seeing that out of the models featured in the ads and editorial content, over a hundred were Caucasian, 12 were black and three were of other ethnic backgrounds. No Asian models whatsoever. As a model yourself, how does that make you feel?
LINDA: It saddens me tremendously. I think over all Asians in general definitely have the "buying power." So all of us must take time or make time to speak out and take proper action(s) regarding the issues above so we all can move forward towards equality.

Photo Credit: Proctor & Gamble

AC (DENNIS): Do you think it's really disturbing that there is a facade promoted by talent agencies that there is this "heavy-demand" for Asians in print ads and TV commercials when there actually isn't?
LINDA: I don't know about this "heavy-demand" for Asian talent, but I believe in recent years TV commercials and the print market industry have improved tremendously in terms of using more Asian types of characters as opposed to 20 years ago. But it sure could be better.

AC (DENNIS): I was wondering if your brother gets a lot of requests from friends..."Can you introduce me to your sister?"
LINDA: (Laughter) My brother is the "bright" and "attractive" one. Trust me on this, that question is definitely in reverse.

AC (DENNIS): You worked with the veteran actor Stacy Keach in this movie. What was it like to work with him and did it seem that he was more or less tolerable of what occurred on this ship?
LINDA: I remembered the very first night when Stacy Keach came onboard the ship. Since his room was next to mine, I heard loud banging noises on the wall within that room all night long. The following day, I was informed by the crewmembers that Stacy had used his sneakers and killed over 20 Asian flying cockroaches in his room that night. (Laughter) He had worked on other film projects in the Philippines before so he was well prepared for the trip. I greatly admired Stacy for his professionalism and he was very down to earth with everyone. He gave me a lot of valuable advice that prompted me to make the decision on possibly relocating to California.

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