Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with V Wars’ Jacky Lai

Jacky Lai is an up-and-coming talent who’s quickly making a name for herself. She’s starred in projects such as Shadowhunters, The Flash, and Beyond, and is currently sinking her teeth into the newly released Netflix series V Wars. Pop Culturalist caught up with Jacky to chat all things V Wars.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Jacky: It took me a few years to understand my passion for the arts. I spent a lot of time denying it and downplaying that desire. It took me moving to Vancouver and studying with Andrew McIlroy for me to really take pride and put value into acting. I discovered my passion after so many close calls. Most people would quit, but that made me fierier. That’s when I realized this is something I will do for the rest of my life.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Jacky: My mom—she inspires me to follow my heart and to never give up. She has always believed in me, no matter what I say or do. We’re very close because we practically grew up together. She had me when she was really young. She inspires me to take advantage of life, an opportunity she has had to sacrifice to give, and one I will not take for granted.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Jacky: How important our roles are as artists. I was definitely attracted to the “being seen” part of the job when I first started and to be honest if that is the driving force as to why you’re in this industry, I don’t think you’ll last very long. I learned the teaching power and responsibility of TV/film, how the projects and characters I choose can perpetuate or break a stereotype. Every choice is a decision whether you’re aware of it or not.

PC: Tell us about V Wars, your character, and what drew you to this?
Jacky: V Wars is set in the modern world where a scientist, Luther Swann (Ian Somerhalder), discovers ancient prions that trigger dormant DNA and transform certain people (Adrian Holmes, Kim Murray, and Laura Vandervoort) into vampires. I play Kaylee Vo, a street journalist who uncovers and brands these infections as Vampires. She is on a mission to be one step ahead at all times.

PC: V Wars is being adapted from a popular comic book series. How familiar were you with the source material?
Jacky: I finished the comic series in one day! It was so well written, and the characters have so much heart, it was an easy read and such a great way to understand the world that we were about to build.

PC: How similar or different are you to Kaylee? What can you tease about her arc this season?
Jacky: Kaylee and I have the same hustler mentality that makes us resourceful, independent, and driven. However, I think Kaylee is a lot more fearless than I am. She has a ruthless attitude when it comes to getting what she wants. She learns social responsibility and empathy a lot later in the season.

PC: The series tackles a variety of topics including borders, racism, and security. Is the preparation different when you’re working on a project that’s so timely?
Jacky: I think it’s smart to keep up with the news and know what’s happening to humanity so that we can be affected by it. To know the outrage is real—the divide and indecency are happening—is important, as some of us have the option to just tune it out. I think working on a project that is so timely has made me look out more, care more about preventative measures instead of damage control. It’s made me more responsible in my choices. When you know better, you do better, or so you hope.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Jacky: V Wars! [laughs] I had to—but if you really twist my arm, I’d say Rhythm + Flow.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Jacky: The Proposal, with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

PC: Favorite book?
Jacky: Manuscript Found in Accra

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Jacky: Phantom of the Opera. I’ve only seen a handful, and that was my first and only New York production.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jacky: Camila Cabello

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Jacky: My mom

To keep up with Jacky, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch V Wars on Netflix today.