Meet Nancy Nguyen | Actor, VTuber, & Nail Technician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nancy Nguyen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancy, why did you pursue a creative career?
Imagine a rosy-hued world filled with sparkles, a little girl dressing up, singing along to her favorite Disney Princess movies, dancing with her Barbie dolls, drawing unique characters, giving them voices and their own storylines into little notebooks. Those are the fondest memories of my childhood. I was constantly reading books or manga, watching anime, cartoons, playing video games and even tried to start a web show with my best friends. We wrote, directed, filmed, performed, and did everything ourselves, just for fun. Once I even auditioned for these open calls on YouTube where creators were animating shows with just Paint and Windows Movie Maker so I had my first freelance voiceover gig when I was only 13! (If you ever want to check that out, search up “Flower Princess Episode 1” by Animeliciousbabe112.)

Imagine being able to enjoy, create, and participate in all of these forms of art without fear of judgement or consequences. I wished to go back to these times of innocence and fearlessness. But as I got older, I gave up on it because I was repeatedly told that “art or any creative field will never make you any money” and to “pursue something practical.” I’m Vietnamese, so of course my family’s American dream was for me to be a doctor, engineer, or lawyer — but contrary to the stereotypes, my math skills were horrendous and I felt no passion towards these fields. So I went through middle and high school, constantly cycling through different paths that I thought might be “realistic” enough to gain my family’s approval.

In 2016, I attended Clayton State University, with the intentions to major in English with an Education concentration. I thought this was the only way for my family to respect my decisions since teaching had stability, while still being able to enjoy forms of creativity in literature and writing. During my Sophomore year, I had the option to take “Introduction to Film” and “Introduction to Theatre” as my electives. After seeing the multitude of opportunities in the film industry, successfully performing a monologue in front of my entire class, and on stage for a student’s Senior Capstone show, I could feel a spark igniting within me. I didn’t want to do what my family wanted anymore. I wanted to follow my own dreams and changed my major to Theatre.

It was hard to tell my family at first because I knew how they’d react. I knew they would be disappointed. To this day, it still hurts when they don’t believe in me. I don’t blame my family for having their doubts. Hollywood has a history of subjecting Asian women to being seen as obedient and submissive, or as the villain and temptress, both fetishized or over-sexualized (see the “Dragon Lady” and “Lotus Blossom” tropes). But what motivated me was seeing fellow Vietnamese and Asian women defying stereotypes, speaking up against hate, and succeeding in the field that I want to be in. There’s Diana Huey who was Ariel on the first national tour of The Little Mermaid, Courtney Reed who played Princess Jasmine in the original Aladdin on Broadway, Kelly Marie Tran who voiced Raya, the first Southeast Asian Disney Princess, and Lana Condor who is known for To All The Boys I Loved Before films. These women are all my inspirations and I want to be a part of the trailblazing with them. I don’t know what the future holds, but I am going to prove that this is exactly where I need to be.

Now, I am an Actor, Voice Actor, Singer, Princess Performer, Writer, Producer, Director, VTuber, Nail Technician, and hoping to do more. I choose to pursue art and creativity. This is where I feel the most happiness, freedom, passion, and belonging. It’s what little Nancy always dreamt of! I hope that by sharing my “why”, it inspires those who are feeling doubt, to embrace their inner child, follow their dreams, and be courageous.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I feel like I’ve done so much but not enough at the same time. My proudest accomplishment was the creation of my Senior Capstone film when I graduated in 2020 and most recently: being Swing and Assistant Stage Manager in Synchronicity Theatre’s production of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. My Senior Capstone project was a “musical narrative documentary” called Bay, which is the Vietnamese word for “fly”, but sounds like the word “bye”. It was in pre-production for 3 months and filmed in 4 days, despite the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a deeper dive into my journey as an actor, finding balance between seeking family approval or following my dreams, and hopes for more diverse Asian representation in the entertainment industry. (The full film is on my YouTube channel!) The end result got my family pretty emotional and gave them a little bit more confidence in me, so I hope it instills the same hope for others.

I also can’t express how thankful and honored I am to have been a part of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. It was a beautiful adventure that celebrated Chinese culture, family, and mythology, while highlighting talented local Atlanta artists who are Asian or children of immigrants. It meant so much to share a story that hit so close to home. I felt like this resonated with our audience members, no matter their heritage, while also showing the endless possibilities of opportunity for Asian and Asian-American representation, diversity, and inclusion.

Of course, with every journey comes its obstacles. I faced many challenges after obtaining my degree and experienced what many called “post-graduation depression” and was part of those who suffered from a huge loss of opportunities during COVID. I was no longer performing regularly in our college productions and at present, still feel like I’m crawling to find a way into the industry. I tried to juggle waitressing, acting classes, to later being an administrative assistant for a doctor’s office, prioritizing only finances and stability. This caused me to barely have any time, energy, or motivation for my passions. After feeling too trapped and feeling like I was at one of the lowest points in my life, I left my job and later found my way into streaming video games on Twitch and decided to attend nail school.

I had always dreamt of being a Content Creator and VTuber (a short term for a  “Virtual YouTuber” who uses a personalized avatar to live stream with). It’s so fun being able to have a creative outlet for entertainment and a great community. I just set everything up in OBS, start playing games, and chat with a live audience as my VTuber persona. It’s cozy, chaotic, and we have tons of laughs. And if you ever discover who I am… no, you didn’t.

While I did have the privilege and freedom to pursue my dreams, I was still living under my family’s roof. I’ve learned that there is nothing wrong with this in today’s economy and while many have told me to take advantage of it, I didn’t want to keep depending on my aging parents and grandparents. I want to be independent and give back to them because of how much they’ve sacrificed for me. Eventually, I decided to explore the idea of being a nail technician because I was spending too much money at nail salons and damaging my nails. I discovered that being an independent nail technician allowed me to specialize in Gel-X, prioritize nail health for myself and my clients, and  allow flexibility for all my pursuits, while still having an artistic outlet. After hearing the quote: “Build your own dreams, or someone will hire you to build theirs,” I realized that quitting my job, attending nail school, and becoming my own boss was the most rewarding decision I could’ve ever made. 

The journey of following your passions, creating your own content, and starting your own business is NEVER easy. There are many mental and financial consequences. I was constantly questioning myself, feeling imposter syndrome, drowning in regret, and wondered if I had made all the wrong choices with my life… Sometimes I feel hopeless and  find myself thinking, “Maybe I should just give it all up.”  But I am able to overcome my fears with the help of my friends, family, loved ones and the community I gained from streaming and nails. If it weren’t for the constant support and encouragement, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am right now. I thought that by leaving my stable job, I would lose everything — instead, I gained freedom to explore what I love, opportunities I never thought I would have, and new friends along the way. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Like the great Lola Tung said, “Oh my goodness, I LOVE THIS QUESTION!” I’m actually from the “Southside”, so if we’re craving chicken wings, we go to Hotlanta Wings on Georgia Hwy 85 or Touchdown Wings on GA-138. My typical order is usually a 10 Pc Wing Combo, split Lemon Pepper & Honey Hot, cooked Well Done, Extra Crispy, and Extra Wet with fries and sweet tea mixed with lemonade. I’ve also been obsessed with WingStop’s Honey Hot Rub wings, fries, and ranch lately. For fresh authentic Mexican tacos, go to La Unica Tienda y Carniceria in Forest Park! I always get the chico Al Pastor, Asada, and Pollo tacos with a Large Horchata to go and one of each salsa at their salsa bar.

For authentic Indian food, get the Chicken 65, Chicken Tikka Masala (Extra Spicy), and Masala Tea from Masala Cottage in Mcdonough, GA.

More of the best food spots are on Buford Hwy or in the city of Duluth, both on the north side of Atlanta and a bit of a drive, but SO worth it!

On Buford Hwy, my go to spot is DAGU Rice Noodle, where I’ll get the Special Wings, Spiced Bamboo, Tossed Cucumber in Garlic Sauce, and the Sour Spicy Crossing Bridge Rice Noodle with Beef and Lamb Slices! For delicious Dim Sum at a great value, go to Canton House! For Dim Sum, I love their Spicy Chicken feet, Xiao Long Bao, and Sugar Cane Shrimp. (Fun fact: My parents had their wedding reception here and I see why!) If you’re feeling fancy and adventurous, order from the main menu for their Peking Duck with Bao, Ginger Scallion Lobster, Salt & Pepper Calamari, Fried Quail, Jellyfish Salad, Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup, and Seafood Pan Fried Cantonese Noodles (Ask them to put the seafood on the side so the noodles can stay crispy!). If it’s a little chilly, the best Hot Pot AYCE is China Hot Pot. Get the double-sided broth (Spicy & Nutrition) and don’t forget to hit up their sauce bar.

In Duluth, you can’t go wrong with KBBQ. E.M. Bop is my favorite for AYCE and diverse meat options. Love the Cilantro Pork Belly, Beef Galbi, Spicy Pork Bulgogi, Spicy Chicken, and Cajun Shrimp, Corn Cheese, and Egg Souffle. Honorable mentions: 678 or 9292. If you want something lighter, try Taiwanese sandwiches at The Bread Connection, my favorite was their Pork Katsu sando.

Not much of an alcoholic drinker, but I definitely have a sweet tooth so I had to make this its own section. If we’re still on the Southside, Paleteria Janitzio on Old Dixie Hwy or Paleteria y Neveria le estrella de Michoacan in Forest Park has the BEST Horchata, Aguas Frescas, and homemade Mexican ice cream pops and small treats like Fresas Con Crema and Mangonada. Sweet Hut at any location is the OG for light bites, pastries, cakes, and drinks. On Buford Hwy, I’ve fallen in love with the fragrant teas and “Dessert Hot Pot” at Glaze Tea. Cuckoo’s Cafe also has good snacks and fruit teas. Tea Leaf & Creamery has fresh fish-shaped waffle ice creams! I think Duluth has the cutest cafes & bakeries with yummy drinks and sweet treats so make sure you stop by. I recommend Twoha’s, Confections, and The Cream!

For fun activities: KARAOKE. You can find a ton of places up north, but I’ve found the most dependable to be: Happy Karaoke, Karaoke Melody, Do Re Mi, and MICS Karaoke. Also check out Sandbox VR to fight off zombies, live out your Baldur’s Gate 3 RPG fantasies and try out any Escape Rooms like Mastermind, surrounding the Atlanta area! Last but not least, check out any of our local Atlanta theaters that feature local Atlanta actors, artists, and offer classes! (Shout outs to Synchronicity, Alliance, and Dad’s Garage!)

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s SO many!

I want to thank all of my talented and encouraging professors & instructors during my time at Clayton State University: Derrick Vanmeter, Shontelle Thrash, Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller, Dr. Francine Maxwell, Kirill Sheynerman, Bryanna Vinge, Emily Noel, Katie Kelly. They encouraged our artistry as students, improved my confidence as an actor with their guidance, and “set the stage” or foundation of my professional career.

Rachel May, Vallea Woodbury, Celise Kalke & all of the powerhouse women leading Synchronicity Theatre for giving me multiple opportunities and taking great care of me while I was an intern, assistant stage manager, and most recently as a Swing in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon!

My best friends: Guadalupe Carrillo, Maria Morales-Perez, Raven Creech, Kayla Hopkins, Amauche Uzoigwe who have always believed in me since Day 1.

My boyfriend: Dakota Fann who gives me all the love, support, encouragement, and lets me cry on his shirt when being a human gets too overwhelming.

And finally, my family, who immigrated over to the United States as Vietnam War refugees, leaving behind their homeland, loved ones, and still working constantly to provide. We may butt heads over my choices, but I am eternally grateful for what they do every day for me. Cảm ơn Ba, Mẹ, Ông Ngoại, Bà Ngoại và Ông Bà Nội. Con thương và nhớ mỗi người rất nhiều.

Website: https://nancyfairyfancy.com/

Instagram: @NancyFairyFancy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancynguyen115/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyFairyFancy/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@NancyFairyFancy

Other: Nail Art: https://www.instagram.com/nailfairynancy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@nailfairynancy
https://youtube.com/@NailFairyNancy