Jessica Lu

Actress Jessica Lu dishes on playing Ming on MTV hit show Awkward and whether she’s Team Jake or Team Matty. Learn more about the star here: http://teenv.ge/Ocojmn

Actress Jessica Lu on Ming's Character Development on Awkward


The actress gives us the scoop on tonight's episode of the MTV show and her upcoming role in Ryan Murphy's fall comedy series, The New Normal.


I: What can we expect from tonight's episode of Awkward?
J: "We get to see more of the Asian mafia and Ming's relationship with Freddie. From this episode until the finale, you're going to see Ming go through a lot. The mafia is going to have a lot of fun with her—that's all I can say!"

I: How does Awkward make humor out of teen stereotypes like the Asian mafia?
J: "The show is really funny—I haven't seen anyone be offended by it. The writers know exactly what they're doing. They write everything in a real way; they don't mean it to be offensive. It's lighthearted. Mostly what I love about this show is that it's so relatable. I get a lot of fan letters from teenagers who feel like they don't belong, and they confide me and tell me how they no longer feel alone when they watch our show. At the end of the day, that's the best thing. I get a lot of tweets and fan mail saying that they're just like Ming; it's so great."

I: Tamara coined the term "Frasians," which connects to the idea of "frenemies." Have you had relationships like that in your own life?
J: "We've all encountered people like that, and as we mature and grow older, we learn how to keep those friends at bay. When you're in high school and it's very gossip-y, it's a slippery slope."

I: Ming often plays third wheel to Tamara and Jenna, who are best friends. That's a tough position to be in. How do you think she handles it?
J: "Ming is sweet, and the reason I love to play her is because she's so genuine. She's there for her friends through thick and thin and loves them unconditionally. She doesn't sugarcoat advice or say things that she thinks her friends want to hear. Ming doesn't care what other people think of her—and even if she can't go out and be social, she doesn't whine about it. It's really refreshing to play a character like her. There should be more Mings in the world!"



I: Classic Awkward question: Jake or Matty?
J: "Season one, I was totally Team Matty—and even at the beginning of season two. I'm hesitant to say it, but after the last couple of episodes, I might be switching to Jake. I'm always back and forth between the two. Our writers make us choose sides and then change our minds, and it's mean!"



I: Can you tell us about your role on Ryan Murphy's latest show, The New Normal?
J: "The story is about a woman who lives a mundane life in the Midwest. She marries young, and wants a better life for her daughter, but isn't sure how to go about it. Then, she comes home and finds her husband cheating on her with another woman. Spoiler alert—it might be me! That's the last straw that pushes this woman over the edge. She moves to California and decides to become a surrogate for a gay couple to earn money so that her daughter can have a better life. My character is completely different than Ming—she's foxy and not nerdy at all! She's super fun."

I: Both shows have hilarious casts. How do the filming experiences compare?
J: "With Awkward, I've known the people for a couple of years. We're a family. We've seen each other at our bests and worsts. With The New Normal, the actors [which include Ellen Barkin, Justin Bartha, NeNe Leakes, and Andrew Rannells] are so great that I step back and look at them in awe. They're probably like, 'why is she sitting in a corner by herself?' I want to learn from the cast. They're geniuses, but they're real people and super approachable."

Che bella anche lei O:
Spero che ming faccia exploit nella terza stagione!!!