Olivia Thai:
The interview
Interview conducted by Lexy
Lexy JiZO: Hello
Miss Olivia Thai! Thanks for taking the time to
do this interview with me on behalf of JiZO! =)
So after reading around (Google is good for
something but I swear I feel like I’m stalking
people when I look people up…. Anyway….) I
noticed you’re a fresh age of 20-21?? You’ve
been through a lot since you were pretty young,
dropping out of high school at the age of 15 and
moving out of your parents’ house to be
independent. Do you think if it ended up
differently, you would be doing the same thing
you’re doing right now?
Olivia: Hey Lexy!
You read right. Well, most of it anyway. Haha.
I just turned 20 last December, and I am
officially out of my “teens.”
L
Yes, I did drop out of high school when I was
15, but I didn’t move out of my parents’ house.
I actually started college when I was 13,
received my high school diploma at 16, and
started going to college as a full-time student
shortly after. I’ve been in love with music
since I could walk, but I was definitely afraid
to admit it. If I wasn’t passionate enough or
lucky enough to pursue a career in music or
acting, I would become an elementary school
teacher. J
Lexy JiZO: You are
well known for your awesome vocals and I’ve
watched a few videos. When did you realize you
had the talent to sing? What made you want to
pursue a singing career?
Olivia: Thank you so
much! I’m not too sure if I’ve realized that I
have the talent to sing, but music has been my
best friend since I was two years old. From how
things are turning out, it almost seems like the
singing career is pursuing me rather than the
other way around… which works for me!
Lexy JiZO: Okay now
I just have to ask this but with your last name,
a lot of people get the misconception that
you’re Thai. However, I know on your myspace
page it says that you are not and in a youtube
video from a contest you won in 2006 you spoke
one of the dialects in Chinese/Taiwanese. (I can
never tell the difference so excuse my
ignorance) So to break the confusion some of the
readers are having – what exactly is your
ethnicity? (Since your “more info” link on your
myspace doesn’t work.)
Olivia: Well, it’s
a little confusing, but since you’re special,
I’ll give you the whole story. Haha. I’m 100%
Chinese - Cantonese & Diojiu (or Chiu Chow).
Having the last name “Thai” doesn’t mean that my
family is from Thailand. “Thai” is actually the
Vietnamese version of “Choi”. Yes, “Choi” is
not just a Korean last name. “Choi” is the
Cantonese version of “Tsai” (Taiwanese) or
“Chai” (Mandarin). The reason why my last name
is “Thai” is because grandparents migrated from
Canton and Sua Tau to Vietnam. Even though they
lived in Vietnam for a generation or two, my
family is definitely more in touch with our
Chinese customs. When they came to America as
refugees, half my family decided to keep the
last time “Thai” and the other half went with “Choi”.
I grew up speaking Cantonese and Diojiu at
home. I also went to several schools to learn
mandarin for eight years. If I knew it was
going to be so complicated – I would’ve thought
of a stage name. haha.
Lexy JiZO: Now I
told you I always feel like such a stalker when
I do these interviews because I have to dig so
far to get so juicy… But I saw on Wong Fu
Productions’ website that you met with Wes last
December. Do you think you guys will pair up and
work together on a project?
Olivia: Wow! You’re
good, Lexy. Yes, I did meet with Wesley and
Philip last December, and I hope that we will
eventually work together in the future. Love
their work!
Lexy JiZO: People
have suggested that you try out for American
Idol. Do you think you will ever take Simon’s
wrath on national television? (He scares me a
bit… Seriously.)
Olivia: I think
that American Idol would be a fun experience. I
believe that my skin’s thick enough to handle a
little criticism from anyone really… not only on
national television, but all over the internet!
No pun intended.
Lexy JiZO: Being an
artist, there is always something to influence
you, right? So I was curious, with all of your
songs and the meaningful lyrics, what is your
biggest influence, musically or spiritually or
both?
Olivia: I get
inspired in many ways – movies, lectures,
family, friends, relationships, other music
artists, paintings, history, self-reflection,
live performances, books... the list goes on.
I would have to say that my top three influences
would have to be my family, relationships, and
self-reflection.
Lexy JiZO: Are you
working on any album release? How many do you
possibly have out there? Where can we download
your music or possibly buy it?
Olivia: I am
currently working on… survival. Haha. I’m
working full-time, so it’s really hard to work
out times when I can go into a studio to lay
down some tracks and vocals. I have no albums
released, but I will have a limited single
release of my cover of “Vanishing” soon. It
will probably be released through my website.
Lexy JiZO: Is Joe
from JustKiddingfilms really your boyfriend? How
long have you guys been dating? You guys make a
really cute couple.
Olivia: No, haha,
he’s not my boyfriend, but thanks for asking!
We’ll consider the “really cute couple” thing,
but we’re definitely not on that track right
now.
Lexy JiZO: Well
thank you Miss Olivia Thai for taking the time
out to do this interview! Was there anything
else you would like to say to your fans?
Olivia: Call me,
“Olivia” J
and of course, thank you for believing in me!
