Cover On her journey to international stardom, Chen attributes her achievements to the all-important insights she gained throughout stages of her life (Photo: Courtesy of Standard Chartered)
On her journey to international stardom, Chen attributes her achievements to the all-important insights she gained throughout stages of her life (Photo: Courtesy of Standard Chartered)
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Tatler+
From Hong Kong to the United States, actress Fala Chen tells Tatler how she pursued her international career and why she represents Standard Chartered’s global banking philosophy
Fala Chen has been reaching beyond borders most of her life, as most high-net worth personalities are called to do. Like Standard Chartered, whose Priority Banking campaign she stars in, the acclaimed actress has plenty of experience in transporting herself between different countries. Best known for her work in the groundbreaking Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Chen moved from her hometown of Chengdu to Atlanta as a teenager, then to Hong Kong to start her career, rising to prominence with roles in TVB shows such as Moonlight Resonance (2008), and then back to the US to rebuild it. Fortunately, she says, she’s been able to navigate her various international relocations with relative ease.
“I had to adapt and learn English [in the US]. Then when Hong Kong was new to me, I had to learn Cantonese, and I didn’t know anyone there. But looking back, I never thought they were challenges: I just enjoyed learning. There was more excitement than anything else. I guess by nature I’m a very adventurous person and not very nostalgic. I find excitement and joy in new things.”
Perhaps her most dramatic international relocation came in 2014, when she made the courageous decision to give up her successful career in Hong Kong and move to New York. It wasn’t just a matter of changing country: her commitment to tailoring and refining her acting skillset triggered her move. She enrolled in a four-year master of fine arts acting programme at the highly exclusive Juilliard School.
Chen understands the financial security this move required. “I made enough money in Hong Kong that there was a reservoir for me to go back to school. I could do that because I had that financial freedom.”
Like Standard Chartered, whose new Priority Banking campaign Chen stars in, the acclaimed actor has plenty of experience of transporting herself between different countries (Photo: Courtesy of Standard Chartered)
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Standard Chartered felt inspired to offer global citizens, like Chen, maximum convenience and the tools they need to achieve various financial goals and make educated investments, wherever life may take them.
Following her move to the US, it took nearly a year after graduating to land her first role. It was a very different story by the time she landed the role in Shang-Chi, though. “I got the part without meeting the director,” she says. “It was a straight offer: ‘We have no script, but trust us. And you can’t tell anyone in the world about it’.”
Being part of the film gave Chen an opportunity to reflect on the importance of expertise, as she starred alongside a screen legend. “My partner for most of my scenes was Tony Leung,” she says. “He is such a diligent actor. All he does on set all day is wait. It takes so long to prepare the set. He’s never chatting, he’s never on his phone, he’s never in his trailer. He sits by the set in a chair, practising, observing. He’s constantly thinking about work. When he acts, it’s so easy. It’s why some actors are so good: because they spend so much time on it.” Just as Chen relies on experts in her field, Standard Chartered customers have access to an international team of wealth experts, with dedicated personalised relationship managers who speak their language and can offer insights and guidance.
On her journey to international stardom, Chen attributes her achievements to the all-important insights she gained throughout different stages of her life. Standard Chartered Priority Banking offers a wide spectrum of wealth insights, from personalisation and expertise, to global banking and sustainable investment solutions, made for all who aspire to succeed in their career.
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