How I Got Started: My Origin Story

If you’ve been following me for a bit, you probably know that I haven’t always been doing what I do now. But one of the most frequently asked questions I get is how exactly I got started. It’s the story I tell at every job interview, every podcast appearance, and every panel I speak on, and admittedly, it’s one of my favorites to tell because I’m a big believer in everything happening for a reason. Every step in my journey led me to a career I thrive in, an industry I’m honored to work in, and a life I’m proud of. So, in honor of me launching She’s All That — and in case you haven’t heard it yet — here’s my origin story. (Does that make me sound like a superhero? Because in my mind, I kind of am. Kidding.)

How it started…

I grew up in a pretty conservative Filipino family, which means there were a lot of expectations for me. From a young age, I was expected to get straight As and participate in every extracurricular activity I could excel at in anticipation of applying to — and subsequently getting into — a prestigious university, where I would complete a pre-med or pre-law program. While I loved and was good at school and academia, I always had an affinity for the performing arts. I sang in the church choir, took ballet and piano lessons, performed in community theater shows, and honestly did everything I could to impersonate Rachel Berry, down to the ballet flats and headbands. (Ironically, Rachel Berry didn’t exist yet but I still emulated her in every possible way. Just look at the outfit I’m wearing in that video.)

Though the Florida public school system leaves something to be desired, one thing it had that I’m eternally grateful for is the magnet program. If you’re not familiar, magnet schools are regular public schools, but they also have a specialty you can take extra classes in, including math, science, and in my case, the arts. I attended both a performing arts middle and high school where I was able to take classes in musical theater, dance, band, chorus, piano, and even harp. While my parents probably would have preferred for me to focus on more academic studies, they saw how passionate I was about performing and knew that I would thrive in an environment where I could be creative. (Don’t worry — I still took every AP class like a dutiful Asian child. I just got to have a little fun at the same time.)

Taken during my junior year production of Rent. Am I dating myself with this hairdo? Snooki was very popular then.

Before I even graduated high school, I had performed at some of the biggest venues in Florida (and the country, for that matter), been on national television multiple times, musically directed four fully-produced musicals with a live orchestra, traveled to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress to keep arts education in public schools, and so much more. I knew I was born to perform and no one could tell me anything different. So much to my parents’ chagrin, I decided to major in music in college.

I honestly had no idea what I wanted to study so I applied to 16 colleges. Yup, 16. I had no life my first half of senior year. I applied to a mix of liberal arts colleges as well as ones that had solid music programs so I could have some options when the time came to make a decision. I honestly can’t remember how many I got into, but I received four acceptances with full scholarships: Berklee College of Music, NYU, UMiami, and Hofstra University. It was a huge decision to make, and I ultimately decided to go to Berklee. I had toured there the summer prior to senior year and fell in love with Boston and the school’s campus, so I knew in my heart that it was the place for me to be.

…How it went…

From my college senior recital. My parents bought me this harp as a college graduation present because they’re the best people ever.

Berklee was a whirlwind. I entered the school with every intention of having being an artist, so I decided to double major in music business and performance/songwriting in order to learn the ins and outs of the music industry and eventually manage my own career. I took every class from atonal sight reading for vocalists to advanced contract negotiation, and even took two songwriting classes with Paula Cole (any Dawson’s Creek fans?). Though Berklee isn’t your average university — we didn’t have sports teams, Greek life, or any other typical college activities — I was determined to be Ms. School Spirit. I was on the student government, I worked in the admissions office, I joined a handful of clubs, and worked on special projects like the school-produced music festivals.

On top of those extracurriculars (and a full course load), I joined a cover band and gigged with them three to four times a week. That was where I really learned how to be on stage. Being in front of a crowd that often — whether it was three people or 300 — made me so comfortable onstage, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. During that time, I decided to get my artist career up and running and added those gigs to my weekly schedule, too. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I recommend spreading yourself that thin while you’re in college, but I learned a lot about myself during that time (including the fact that I’m a workaholic, something I still struggle with now).

Doing this much eventually took a toll on my body and voice, and when I graduated in December 2016, I knew that I needed a break from performing. My body needed to recuperate, my calloused vocal folds needed time to heal, and I just needed to not be onstage for awhile. So I moved to New York City with no plan, no money, and no job, but just sheer, naive faith that I would figure it out.

Taken on my first monthaversary at Billboard. I was feeling real accomplished.

When I got to NYC, I moved into my brother’s apartment because I had no other options. (He was already living there as a [very successful] actor and I crashed in his second bedroom.) I decided to look for work on the business side of the industry to put my degree to use and applied to hundreds of jobs at labels, publishers, and management companies to no avail. I made it through a few rounds of interviews for multiple positions but never got a job offer. Finally, I heard back from the director of charts at Billboard asking if I would be interested in coming to temp in the charts department. I had absolutely no editorial experience, but because of my strong music business background and knowledge, they took a chance on me.

Working at Billboard was the most formative six months of my life. Not only did the job allow me to explore all the things I love about the music industry, but it also introduced me to a new love in editorial. I helped the charts department compile the charts every week and wrote pieces to support the data, landing a byline in the magazine in the process. I even had the opportunity to cover concerts and interview artists.

While I was there, the digital team was trying to up their lifestyle content. I was already super interested in fashion and beauty because I had spent the last two decades of my life learning how to style myself and do my own makeup for performances, so I volunteered to help. That’s when the editorial bug really bit me. Writing lifestyle content for Billboard opened so many doors for me: I covered New York Fashion Week for the first time, interviewed some of the biggest icons in fashion and beauty, and realized how much I truly loved a field that had very little to do with music. After my contract ended, I decided to give writing a go and used those lifestyle pieces from Billboard as my portfolio. Shortly after, I landed my first byline in Teen Vogue and the rest is history.

…and How it’s Going.

Attempting to casually hair flip, as always.

That was 2017, so it has been three full years of pursuing this newfound love. My work has expanded across the beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle verticals, and I can actually say that I create content full-time. I have written for dream publications, traveled around the world, tried out expensive products, and done some unbelievably glamorous things.

But above all, this career has allowed me to build a life that I love. I’m excited to go to work everyday — even if I’m a little tired — and I wake up in the morning with a sense of purpose. Looking back on my journey and everything that led to this point, I don’t regret a single bit of it. I wouldn’t be doing what I am now without these past experiences, and for that, I’m forever grateful.