Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Siren’s Curtis Lum

Curtis Lum has always known his purpose in life is to entertain others, whether that be through acting, producing, or writing. When he started his career in the industry and opportunities weren’t coming his way, he created his own. Each project has played a pivotal role in shaping the artist he is today and led him to his biggest project to date on Freeform’s mermaid drama Siren, now in its third season. Pop Culturalist spoke with Curtis about forging his own path, what’s ahead for his character in Siren, and his new award-winning short film, Grandma’s 80th Surprise.

Career

PC: You’re an actor, producer, and writer. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Curtis: From a very young age, I’ve always had a passion for entertaining. I was always the class clown, and it meant the world to me to get a laugh out of anyone and to brighten anyone’s day.

I wasn’t necessarily in the arts growing up. I was much more business-minded. It wasn’t until my early twenties that I discovered that acting could be a possible career. When I discovered that, I jumped right in and did everything I could to be in this business and to thrive in this business.

When opportunities weren’t coming my way, I took it upon myself to start producing my own content. I teamed up with my longtime collaborator Leslie Birch, where he and I created our own web series back in 2009. That’s what sparked my writing and producing career. It’s been a long journey but most definitely an incredibly fun one.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Curtis: Whoa, that’s a great question. For me personally, it’s been my friend circle. I don’t have too many really, really close friends in my circle, but they’ve always been the ones to really champion me and encourage me to get out there and to get after it. They’ve helped me believe in myself before I even believed in myself. They’re the ones that changed the game for me.

PC: Your family has a rich history in the food industry, and your father had high hopes that you would continue his legacy. How challenging was that decision to forge your own path?
Curtis: I think whenever that’s the case, it’s always difficult. I struggle with the idea of letting people down. So when I came down to the crossroad of continuing my family’s legacy or choosing my own path, it was a difficult decision. Ultimately, I listened to my gut, and I went after what made me the happiest and what I thought resonated with my purpose, and that was entertaining people. I thought that at the end of the day, if I stayed true to myself, to my purpose, and what makes me the happiest, I can be of service and bring my family pride and continue the legacy that way.

PC: Great answer. You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Curtis: Every achievement along the way has had its special place in my heart. The first time I was on a big set, that was a game-changer for me. It was on a show called Psych. I remember it was my first day on set, and I invited my parents to come to watch me work. This was a big deal for me because that was the first time they’d ever seen it for themselves. I didn’t know how high the stakes were, and I didn’t know how big the scene was, but when we showed up there were like three or four hundred extras. The scene was based mostly around my character.

I remember before the cameras started rolling, I took a moment to take that all in. I was like, “Wow. Here I am on a truly big set with big Hollywood people, and I have my family here supporting.” It meant the world to me.

Every job that I’ve booked since has also had its own special place and has led me to Siren, which is probably the biggest role for me as far as my career goes. It’s been the best three years of my career, and life, thus far.

Siren

PC: Season 3 of Siren is currently airing. What can you tease about Calvin’s arc?
Curtis: Calvin has had a pretty wild and tumultuous journey leading into Season 3, which is probably the most epic season so far. He’s fallen in love and found his life partner. His arc is about sacrificing everything that he has to save his loved ones and everything he believes in and putting everything on the line to make it out alive.

PC: You’ve played Calvin for three years now. Has anything surprised you about his journey? What’s been the biggest takeaway?
Curtis: Honestly, there’s never a dull moment with Calvin. I love how he’s a completely realized character. He’s the most three-dimensional character that I’ve ever played. He represents a lot of us in real life. He’s a guy who’s flawed but trying his best to do right while trying to make a buck to survive. [laughs] He’s a buffoon at times, but then other times he’s a genius. He’s raw, he’s passionate, he’s a fighter, and he’s a damn loyal friend and lover. It’s been an absolute honor and blessing to have played him for three years. This season, I can’t wait to see how his journey completely unfolds.

PC: What’s been your favorite storyline of his?
Curtis: I loved it when Calvin was tested as far as his morals. At the beginning of Season 2, he was contemplating divulging some information that could have potentially gotten a lot of people in trouble and put the survival of the merpeople at risk. Thankfully, no one took him seriously. [laughs] But I think throughout the course of the show, he’s found his voice and his moral beliefs. He’s finding the right decisions to do the right thing. That’s been fun to play: battling between the duality between making money to survive and what’s right for him and his people.

Grandma’s 80th Surprise

PC: You’re also the creative mastermind behind Grandma’s 80th Surprise. Tell us about the short. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Curtis: That’s a great question. I wrote and codirected this with Fola Evans-Akingbola, who plays Maddie on the show. We shot this right before we started shooting Season 3, and it was a fantastic experience. It was the best crash course of filmmaking. We wrote, shot, and edited the whole thing in a week.

It was my first time directing as well as acting and directing, and so the takeaway from that was second to none. I carried that momentum from working at that type of level right into Siren. I found that I felt sharper than ever. I felt like I was at the top of my game, and I was in a great headspace to jump right back into a character that I love playing. I think that translates into the performances this year. I went for it unapologetically. I mean, the rest of the season might turn out like sh*t for Calvin, but I do think that Grandma’s 80th had a lot to do with my confidence going into this year.

PC: The short has made its way around the festival circuit, and it’s been well received. What do you think has resonated with audiences?
Curtis: Ultimately, it’s a real story that people can connect to. First and foremost, the star of the film is my grandmother, played by the brilliant actor Lillian Lim. She’s the heartbeat throughout the film, which makes it really relatable.

On top of that, we dealt with intergenerational complexities and an interracial relationship. So I feel like anyone who has ever come across those types of issues can relate to this.

This project came from a place of love, and I tried to relay that as authentically as possible. I think that’s what people really gravitate towards.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Curtis: Entourage

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Curtis: Night at the Roxbury

PC: Favorite book?
Curtis: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Curtis: For some reason, I was a big fan of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat because that was one of the first ones I saw with my mom in person. But I’m a big Grease fan as well.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Curtis: I was a big fan, and I’ll always be a big fan, Backstreet Boys will always have a special place in my heart.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Curtis: Oh, myself! [laughs]

To keep up with Curtis, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of Siren every Thursday at 10/9c on Freeform.

Photo Credit: Justin Wu