V: You was modeling in Saigon for about a year? Tell us about that experience.

Amanda: I was modeling in Saigon in 90 & 91 before I came to the U.S. It was modeling for Legamex, Xuan-thu swimsuit, Anh-Thu swimsuit, Phu-Nu Vietnam magazine, Tre magazine, Thoi-trang Vietnam magazine & many others... Prior to that I was performing ballet on TV, "Nha Hat' Quan`Chu'ng" on Xo-Viet-Nghe-Tinh Avenue... & more. So I'm used to the spotlight & all

V: I got the impression that you are not quite happy with where you are now (correct me if I am wrong) - why? - where do you want to be? - Is there a point of total satisfaction?

Amanda: I'm quite happy with who I am & totally appreciate what life has to offer me so far :) However, I'm a very driven person... I always try harder & achieve more... After all, if I'm too comfortable with what I got, I will not try anymore, there will be no challenge & life will be bore to death :) Every individual is different, I think there's no such point of "total satisfaction". How do you really define the term "satisfaction"? I really don't know how & when do I get there... I try to achieve 1 thing at the time & then the next thing... Overall, I have complain :) Hehehehe...

V: Being a model sound so glamorous - is it?

Amanda: It looks that way but it's a lot of works & efforts. Models DON'T look good all the times. In fact, I don't even think that I'm that good looking. I just simply work very hard at my job. Beside working out, take good care of myself, I also need to go out to auditions and many long hours of photo shoots. It's not that fun & easy like people think.However, it can be glamorous at times... When I go clubbing in Hollywood, Las Vegas or San Francisco, I always get taken care of. I got to meet all kind of crazy, wild, & wonderful people... I also get royal treatment at restaurants, hotels, or special events... It's really cool :) In any case, if you work hard at what you do & believe in yourself, it pays off :)

V: You seem to have many other interests - would you drop modeling to follow your one of your interests?

Amanda: Yes, my Dad always tell me that "look will fade", & so be prepared ;) I listen to my father, so I got my undergrad degree & I'm currently working toward my MBA right now :) I got to work with many great people in the Internet Technology industry. In fact I've been working tirelessly for the last 2 & half years... And I finally got my break this year... I would not pass on any opportunity in my life... Do you have one for me?

V: Tell us about your "haters."

Amanda: Funny that you ask me this question. I got people asked me why I rarely work with Vietnamese community. It's not that I don't. It's just that I got all this drama gossip each time I got involved with the community. I think it's super-hard to try to fit in the Vietnamese community. All my works are from the American & other Asian communities. People either dislike me for the way I look, the way I dress, or even my lifestyle... And I totally understand that. However, I never ask anyone to like me... Being a public figure, I got fans & "haters"... It's quite normal I guess. Since I created that "haters" email... I got a few haters from my own Vietnamese community... Other than that, all my fans are mainly any other race, but Vietnamese. I guess for Vietnamese community, I need to be much more prettier & smarter to be accepted :)

V: Would you say you are Vietnamese or American?

Amanda: Yup, my lifestyle & my modeling career may look that way - Americanized, but yet, I'm totally 100% Asian when it comes down to family value & culture. I take care of my parents from A-Z. I also take care of grandma in Saigon. I believe to many good things of our Asian culture. I believe in a woman should know how to cook in the kitchen, know how to dress when she leaves the house, & knows her business when she at works!

V: Why northern Vietnamese food? What about South?

Amanda: Northern Vietnamese food because my mother is "Ba'c-Ky`" (from the North), and so she taught me to cook all these Northern dishes :) I just love it... All the soups... Bun' Rieu Oc', Bun' Thang, Bun' Moc, & all!I do eat Southern food as well, but I can't cook it as good as Northern dishes :-(

V: You (like many Vietnamese) went through the phrase of being a stranger in this land? Tell us about your experience - how much does that have to do with you being you now?

Amanda: As reader can view my bio on my Web site. I was struggling at first in this country by myself without Mommy's food & Daddy's drive to school. It was hard in every way... I got lost on the bus... I learned to do a lot of things on my own which I wasn't raised up that way. I'm the only child & so I was a very spoiled kid (still now). It was like I learn ABC all over again. However, I got to talk to my parents once a week & so they always encouraged me & support me through out those years I was here by myself. I'm so glad I made to where I'm at right now.Once a while, some Vietnamese people would make fun of me for being a "FOB" :) I'm just laugh inside :) At least, I achieved my goals in life & be happy. So they're not FOB, so why they worry about little FOB girl like me :) I wonder!!! I'm proud to be the first generation here & I'm very proud of where I come from :)

V: Your hopes and dreams?

Amanda:
Hope:
- More food for the hungers
- More home for the homeless
- More opportunity for young people that come here late (like I was)
- More love than hatred in this world :)
- & peace!
Dreams:
- Get my MBA in 18 months
- Become a successful business woman
- Marry to a wonderful husband like my father :)
- Be a happy grandma with lots of grandchildren like my grandma!

V: You seem to have a very strong head on your shoulder? Say, someone offer you a large sum of money to pose naked, would you do it?

Amanda: Trick question! Yes, I got many offers before to pose nude but I turned it down. Reason? For now, I think there's part of me should be cover for that special someone :)
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