Exclusive: Meet Jess Khan-Lee, the actress making Hong Kong shine in the latest ‘Mission: Impossible’ movie

How did it feel to be part of such an iconic franchise? 
Surreal. I'm not sure it will ever truly hit me. I’ve pinched myself every day since I got the offer. Mission: Impossible is cinematic history that has spanned 30 years. It draws audiences into cinemas. It’s thrilling, emotional and spectacular. Mission: Impossible 2 was the first one I ever saw, and I watched it every weekend for two months. What can I say, I'm a fan. Everyone who works on Mission: Impossible puts so much passion, heart and dedication into making the best movie they can. Audiences can feel that. And to be part of The Final Reckoning is a gift.

Sports play a pivotal role in your life—how have they been empowering you, and in what ways do they differentiate you in today’s film industry?
I started dancing when I was two, competing by the age of seven and working professionally by fifteen. It’s a part of my identity. It taught me perseverance, work ethic, artistry and a strong connection to my body. These are essential life lessons. From there, I got into martial arts, mainly Muay Thai and wing chun. I’m also an avid rock climber. The skills have definitely helped to set me apart and open up opportunities and roles. I have a TV series coming out this year, and my dance and martial arts skills caught the director’s eye and gave me an edge. I booked a musical because I had climbing and acrobatic tricks in addition to my dance. Anything you can add to your arsenal—anything that makes you more uniquely you—might be exactly what someone is looking for.

As a Hong Kong-Canadian actress, how do you infuse your Asian heritage into your performances, especially within the mainstream film landscape? 
I don’t feel I’ve yet had the opportunity to infuse my Asian heritage into a role as such. But I have a deep longing to. My Chinese heritage means so much to me. In whatever roles I get next, I’m really hoping to be able to incorporate that. That being said, I am proud to be part of the representation on screen. And in the latest video game I have coming out this year, Directive 8020, I did the motion capture for an Asian character named Cooper.

Have you encountered specific challenges related to your identity as an Asian woman in the acting world? How have you navigated and addressed these obstacles? 
Being Eurasian, I often audition for roles that are specifically marked as Chinese but am passed over because my appearance isn’t perceived as “Asian enough.” There are very few roles for mixed race, which is a representation I’d love to see more of on screen because it’s a true reflection of the world. We’re seeing more progress and open-mindedness with diverse casting, which is encouraging—but we still have a way to go.

You’ve been dancing for Canto-pop idols, from G.E.M. to Hins Cheung. How was your experience working with them, and how did it shape your career trajectory?
G.E.M. was my first world tour and one of my first jobs in Hong Kong. Over eight months, we toured across China, Canada, the US and the UK. When I joined, I had just two days to learn the choreography for the 2.5-hour show. It was a real test of my focus and work ethic. G.E.M. was giving 100 per cent every night to her fans, and as dancers, we held the same privilege and responsibility. And she had incredible fans! The atmosphere at every show was electric.

Shortly after, I was featured dancing in Hins Cheung’s You music video. He is genuinely such a lovely person and the video was beautiful.

With your work in video games like Apex Legends, how do you perceive the convergence of voice acting and traditional performance? What aspects of this duality do you find most rewarding?
My first experience of doing full performance capture—voicing the character, doing the motion capture (mocap) and having my likeness used (my face)—was for Fort Solis. Previously, I had only done mocap, which is just the body movement for the character, while someone else handled the voice. There are different technical aspects to consider in performance capture compared to screen acting—the mocap suit and the head camera to capture facial expressions require adjustments. Also, the energy needed when you’re just standing at a microphone recording your voice is different. I realised I had to give it more vocal variety and heightened emotion than I initially anticipated.

The fun thing about performance capture is that you have to use your imagination to the fullest—there are no sets or costumes to help you. You're essentially on an empty “volume” (stage) and imagining everything that will be computer-generated around you later. It’s like being a kid again.

What are your favourite things to do when you’re back in Hong Kong?
I used to live in Shek O Village, so it holds a very special place in my heart. The beach barbeque, the noodle shop, the temple, the winding alleyways and Dragon’s Back. I also love just walking through the streets, taking in the sights and people that make Hong Kong iconic and why so many of us call it “Home Kong.” And—I’m serious—the MTR! Now living in London, I desperately miss the MTR.

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