Aerosmith. ", Since his breakout role as the quiet, but eager, dancer Mike Chang on “Glee,” which ended in 2015, Shum has appeared in YouTube videos (most recently in the YouTube Red series "Single by 30" from Wong Fu Productions), films (such as Netflix's original feature “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny”), and earned a main role in the Freeform show “Shadowhunters.”. "There's a beauty in how cultures interact with each other. Shum spoke with NBC Asian America about growing up in Costa Rica, advocating for the arts in schools, and the importance of representation in Hollywood — not just in acting, but also in the writers’ room and director’s chair. The joy of seeing people happy. Joined a Dance Team on a Dare. Born in Costa Rica to a mother from Hong Kong and a father from Guangzhou, China, and raised in the small town of Arroyo Grande, California, Shum discovered his passion for dancing in high school when he joined the dance team on a dare. To watch this little human make choices, respond to her environment, and discover new things." I think learning about the beauty of cultures at young age has allowed me to find the beauty of cultures I don’t know about now. He is an actor, known for Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Shadowhunters (2016) and Glee (2009). And like the viral "Uptown Funk" video before it, Glee star Harry Shum Jr.'s epic "Dance Treading" routine is masterfully executed. We’re all familiar with Harry Shum Jr. as the bisexual warlock we know and love in the hit TV show, Shadowhunters.Since being cast as Magnus, his r esumé includes several big franchises including the upcoming film adaptation of the best-selling book, Crazy Rich Asians and Escape Plan 3 with Sylvester Stallone. It's heroic. … We notice a shift in tone as Shum expressively speaks about moving beyond performative representation. We actually have. Actor Harry Shum Jr. attends the premiere of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" at the Pantages Theatre on Dec. 10, 2016 in Hollywood, Calif. Harry Shum Jr. speaks on stage at the Do Something Awards at the Avalon on July 31, 2013, in Los Angeles. Harry Shum Jr. chimes at the end of our cheery phone chat. Through these quiet observations of his daughter, Shum alludes to the importance of a steadfast and ever-evolving curiosity to lift the limitations we or society have placed on ourselves. "Representation needs to properly be displayed in all departments of Hollywood, like in the writers’ room. The term “pura vida” is used a lot there, which translates to “pure life,” and that’s as good as it gets. The power of steadfast and ever-evolving curiosity to evoke purposeful change. It wasn't just another Hollywood tale. "There were days where it was very emotional. Before Shum got into acting, he had been dancing since high school. They have one child. Just be here right now. You do what you want to do in hopes that you become a better person. Thus, Ashley is feeling confident that the hawk, flag and lipstick is thinking Tara Lipinski. Harry Shum Jr. tells us about jumping from TV franchises to the big screen As part of Esquire Neighbourhood, Harry Shum Jr. discusses the making of his new film, as well as cultural identity, honing his skills as a triple-threat performer, and the shifting nature of Hollywood. Now he’ll make you cry in the new film All My Life. Shum continues, "With parenting, or just with people in general, you're told, 'Oh, this is the right way to do this, and then you find out years later there's another way. It's seeing what's in front of you and trusting yourself. "Â, Shum acknowledges that representation and diverse stories are critical, but we must ask ourselves who tells these stories to move beyond the performative. The … And as an actor, my background has helped me to be able to easily adopt different perspectives, so I’m always silently thanking my parents for randomly moving to Costa Rica. I was really lucky to have that when I was in elementary school; it was something I just stumbled upon, so I wouldn’t have got involved if my school didn’t have those programs. I know how crucial it is to have those options growing up, which is why I stress the need for more public funding for the arts in all schools. Yeah, and I can’t express how important it is to expose younger people to the arts. Stylists: Brandon Nicholas @brvndo & Art Hunter @art.hunterr, Groomer: Andrea Pezzillo for Exclusive Artists using Skinbetter Science and R+Co @andreapezzillo, Flowing into a different way of being through conversations, surroundings, and circumstances, On embracing changes and your ‘whole’ self. You’re currently a regular on “Shadowhunters” as Magnus Bane, a character that was played by Godfrey Gao in the film version of “The Mortal Instruments” series. As humans, we eventually figure it out. Thank you! However, shortly after their engagement, Solomon is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Â, "I was inspired by Solomon's and Jennifer's story," says Shum. "Growing up, I was the quiet kid in class who wouldn't raise my hand to answer questions," Shum shares. All My Life not only provides an intimate exploration of Solomon's and Jennifer's relationship, but also the relationships of those around them as everyone tries to come to terms with Solomon's diagnosis. Not in the sense of telling your younger self what he did wrong, but rather your younger self telling you to always look at everything with constant curiosity and not with a constant fear of being wrong. Harry Shum Jr. has certainly proved that he’s a master of dance, but his new movie is a whole new type of choreography. A better-balanced person that can contribute to this world in a meaningful way. People's Choice Awards for Shadowhunters. The curiosity that's not only with us individually, but also shared collectively through the stories we tell. Your submission has been received! He is best known for his roles as Mike Chang on the Fox television series Glee and as Magnus Bane on the Freeform television series Shadowhunters. He is best known for his roles as Mike Chang on the Fox comedy-drama television series Glee and as Magnus Bane on the Freeform fantasy television series Shadowhunters. '" Shum describes this as more than 'living in the moment.' We’re only one small player in the game. His love for dancing led him to various opportunities, including being a backup dancer for renowned stars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. ... Harry Shum Jr… He had also previously been in a McDonalds advert, when he was younger.He also appeared in Zoey 101 and iCarly, but only as minor characters.He currently plays Mike Chang, a dancer who joins t… On December 4th, Shum will star opposite Jessica Rothe in the romantic film All My Life (Universal Pictures). It was like this internal fighting. He began his professional career as a backup dancer on tours for major stars including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Mariah Carey, and eventually went on to appear in popular dance movies like “Stomp the Yard” and the “Step Up” franchise before taking on more acting roles. Harry Shum Jr.                                   Â. He shares stories about harboring a constant curiosity that has led to meaningful change and purpose in his life. Hip-hop and R&B music videos were my biggest influence when I was a teenager, and what’s funny is that through them, I was introduced to the old Hollywood performers. Dressed in a plain white tee accented by a colorful abstract painting in the background, Shum greets the Timid team with a huge smile. "The arts kept me out of trouble and allowed me to expand my mind. "Â, When Shum talks about the challenges of filming All My Life, he remembers a moment that left a deep impression on him. That's how Hollywood can be more authentic, Shum tells us.Â, "Sometimes, we miss out on just being human."Â. Harry Shum Jr. Shum, who had a professional dance career prior to acting, explained that without a wealth of Asian faces around him, he was able to find refuge in dance and hip-hop. "Â, When we ask Shum to elaborate on "curiosity" as a parent, he glows as he talks about his daughter and fatherhood. He came to the premiere of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and I met him briefly. The film is inspired by a real-life couple, Solomon Chau and Jennifer Carter. He was also one of the lead dancers with stars such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. ", For Shum, he's making these contributions through purposeful storytelling. ", However, through the arts, Shum learned to embrace this timidness. "Â, We often tend to fixate on the "right way" or the "wrong way," which can constrain us. "They don't know what's right or wrong, but they try and find out in a way that's not damaging to anyone or themselves. "Even if I were 100% positive that I was right, I still wouldn't raise my hand because I was timid, shy, or whatever you want to call it. Hollywood Needs Harry Shum Jr. From dancing with Beyoncé to starring in cult favorite Shadowhunters, there's just something about Harry. Actor Harry Shum Jr. attends the premiere of "Rogue One: A Star Wars … Here in this moment. He was nominated for four Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance in Glee, winning once. That’s how a lot of issues arise. Harry Shum Jr., Actor: Crazy Rich Asians. He has been married to Shelby Rabara since November 22, 2015. Were there any specific dancers that inspired you and helped usher in this dance-focused part of your life? For some reason, I couldn't get the words out. By Emily … In a world full of noise, being timid helps us find the right moment to say or do something meaningful. Product is not available in this quantity. You’ve seen him sing. Asians are not a monolith. If you had to drop everything right now to be a backup dancer again, which celebrity would you want to accompany on tour? Sol would try to insert a lot of joy, so the people around him would feel less pain. There's strength in collective storytelling that paves the way to collective understanding, but it starts with us: our curiosities, our lived experiences, our interactions. So as much as I want to fight for the actors, I think it’s about more than just us. His love for dancing led him to various opportunities, including being a backup dancer for renowned stars such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. These Days, He Isn't Staying Still. It comes as a surprise that Shum wasn't always the cool, confident, and charismatic person we see on the screen. Timidness creates space for quiet confidence, creative experimentation, and purposeful introspection.Â, "When you self-reflect, you often think about when you're talking to your friends or your family," Shum says. In addition to advocating for representation, you’ve also used your platform to promote the performing arts for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. I’m still very much tied to that country — I was married there, I still cook Latin Chinese fusion, and I love their attitude towards life. The way they spoke to each other. Representation needs to properly be displayed in all departments of Hollywood, like in the writers’ room. "I've been called 'Other Asian' for a whole year, but I look back and I don't regret anything that I've ever done," says Shum. Join our mailing list for exclusive events, upcoming releases, and other exciting news. It's a story of hope, joy, and beauty." Watch The First 48. That description could just as easily apply to Harry Shum Jr. as Mike Chang, the character he plays on “Glee.” And like Mike, who’s gone from a quiet background dancer to a vital member of New Directions, Harry has recently stepped into the spotlight as a prominent player on the L.A. dance scene. He won a dance competition to dance in an iPod commercial. The little nuances. We're not always going to get it right, but we eventually will. In this introspective moment, Shum tells us, "I would say the biggest change for me is I don't really care what people think anymore, as much as I used to. It's going beyond internal and external perceptions of what that moment could be. "But my hope is to always talk to your younger self. Several years ago, Harry Shum Jr. stumbled upon a viral video of a couple in Toronto at their wedding — a sequence of Jennifer Carter and Solomon “Sol” Chau exchanging vows and slowly swaying together for their first dance. The actor explained that the art form spoke to “many who feel like they don’t belong.” Shum's calm confidence and thoughtful candor radiated throughout our conversation. ", "There is something special when you're a kid," Shum notes. Before Shum got into acting, he had been dancing since high school. Follow NBC Asian America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr. play a couple who marry before tragedy strikes in “All My Life.” Photo: Patti Perret, Universal Pictures. From my personal experience, not many writers and producers want to maliciously harm a community — they’re just working with what they know. There's a power in silence, and in quiet observance." As I watch the sunset in California, I hear a ping that immediately draws my attention back to my screen. The arts kept me out of trouble and allowed me to expand my mind. “Singin’ in the Rain” is hands-down the best musical I’ve seen, but I also love “Cover Girl,” which I think is pretty underrated. Shum launched his career as the only male dancer on BET's Comic View in 2002 and has continued his dancing career from there. There would be days where I would feel like I was talking to him in some way," Shum recalls. To stay curious and to find out what works best for us. Harry Shum Jr. was born on April 28, 1982 in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica. 2.5m Followers, 463 Following, 2,204 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Harry Shum Jr (@harryshumjr) He describes how he is in constant awe as he watches his daughter navigate the world. Now I'm getting a chance to go behind the camera to give a voice to what you see on screen. I watched a lot of Missy Elliott, Usher, and Ginuwine music videos, then eventually I was just watching movies with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Something went wrong while submitting the form. His character on “Glee” has been referred to as “the other Asian” in more than one episode and given minimal screen time throughout the show, but Harry Shum Jr.’s life couldn’t be more of a contrast. Shum pauses for a moment before sharing, "That was a weird experience for me because I'm usually in control of what I do, but something was telling me, 'Don't go down that route. He's known for his acting on Glee, dancing in Step Up, and taking on lead roles in films like All My Life. Have you two bonded over your shared role together? "The arts have really helped me channel aspects of myself in different ways, whether it's through music, dance, or writing." Dancing led him to various opportunities, including being a backup dancer,. `` Growing up, I could n't do that enough because we always. 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