In the Spotlight
Chuti Tiu
Latin Times : Tells about yourself , your family and your family History ? Chuti Tiu : I am mixture of Chinese , Filipino , and Spanish Born in Louisiana . My Dad is Chinese from the Fujian Province , China , but he was born in the Philippines , my mother is Spanish and Filipino . I only spoke English at home .
Latin Times : What inspired you to be an actress ? Chuti Tiu : I always loved making people happy , making them smile , and entertaining them . I started with playing classical piano , and I loved being in front of a camera and on stage . At a young age , I did my very first play - Snow White , playing the title role . As I was growing up , I wasn ’ t allowed by my parents to think of acting as a profession ; they wanted me to be a lawyer or some kind of professional . It took some convincing , but eventually they finally realized that acting is my true calling .
Oscar Torre work on any projects together ? Chuti Tiu : Yes , right now Oscar actually has two projects we are working and collaborating together on ; one is about death and the meaning of life . Oscar and I believe in pushing the envelope in terms of filmmaking . We are always working .
Latin Times : Being in action scenes , have you studied Martial Arts ? Chuti Tiu : Yes , I did . I studied for many years - Shaolin Kung Fu . I definitely appreciate the arts and am thankful for the knowledge of self-defense and the preservation of cultural heritage .
Latin Times : Married to a Cuban , growing up Filipino and Chinese , what is your favorite Latin food ? Chuti Tiu : Ropa Vieja , I love it ! And tostones - tostones are so bad for you but sooooooo good . A little slice of heaven .
Latin Times : Tell us about some of the movies and TV shows you have been in ? Chuti Tiu : Most recently I guest-starred on the show Nashville . I play Tara Ashton - a tough litigator . As you know , I starred in Pretty Rosebud , which is a movie that I wrote and my husband Oscar Torre directed , which won multiple awards on the film festival circuit , including Best Actress ( myself ), Best Director ( Oscar ) and Best Film . I was also in the critically acclaimed film Rampart with Woody Harrelson and Brie Larson , and in the fan favorite The Internship with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson . On television , I ’ ve guest-starred on Rizzoli & Isles , 2 Broke Girls , and Chasing Life . Others include Southland , 24 , General Hospital , Weeds and The Closer . I ' m presently writing a dramatic screenplay that is similar in tone to Pretty Rosebud ; I enjoy being an architect for life stories . Victor , I just love to work !
Latin Times : Do you and your husband
Latin Times : What advice would you give diverse young actors and actresses ? Chuti Tiu : Welcome ! Now is an amazing time for you . We are all in this together ; it ’ s really important that different ethnicities celebrate their backgrounds and it ’ s so important to tell your stories . Study your butt off ; remember that it takes work to be a great actor or actress . It takes education , rehearsal , practice , and vulnerability . Which means not being perfect .
Latin Times : Who is one of your favorite Latino actors or actresses you have worked with ? Chuti Tiu : My husband Oscar Torre , of course ! Not only is he an amazing husband and supporter , he is also passionate about what I am working on . He is always coaching me and lifting me up , building me up . He is amazing .
Latin Times : Who in your life has been your inspiration or hero ? Chuti Tiu : In many respects , it ’ s my parents . It was very difficult for them to come to the
United States . I still remember being young and moving into a house not having any furniture but I didn ’ t care - it was fun to sleep on the floor ! They ’ ve always been hard-working ; they instilled a strong faith in me . They also taught me to get along and be diplomatic . When my parents first came to the U . S ., my father worked at the hospital and went to the cafeteria . To his surprise , there were blacks on one side and whites on the other . Both sides invited my dad to sit with them . Not wanting to make any enemies , my father dragged a table to the middle of the room , because let ’ s face it - he ’ s neither white nor black .
My parents are my heroes .
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